Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-28
BELT LINE WIRES OTTAWA SHIP.
PERs THAT PRODUCTS WILL
BE MOVED AS THO NORMAL
TIMES EXISTED.
BULLETIN.
Local shippers received the
message this afternoon.
Traffic east via e. J. e. will be
normal regardless Of Switehmen's
strike"
BULLETIN.

Chicago, July 2S.--Twen;y-five hun.
dred switchmen In the yards of nine
teen railroads entering Chicago,
struck today because the railroads
would not permit the Brotherhood OF
Railroad Trainmen. to which they be-
long, to dictate the appointment of
yardmasters and assistant yardmas-
ters.
About $500 switchmen who belong
to the Switchmens Union of North
America, and 1,5G0 non-union switch.
men, refused to join the strike. In
seven railroad yards, where no B. r.
T. switchmen were employed. the
strike had no effect
Federal guardsmen were placed on
duty at every important switch tower
and bridge today with orders to shoot
to kill any person caught interfering
with traffic. About 500 policemen
were scattered thru the yards, and
Chief Schuettler called In all on va
cation and furloughs.
The immediate effect of the strike
was a declaration of an embargo on
live stock and other perishable goods.
and It is feared the strike will bring
delay to the operation of passenger
trains and partial tie-up Of the
movement of troops, munitions OF
war, coal and foodstuffs.
All factories will be hit II the strike
continues, but the railroad heads to.
day were hiring men to take the place
of the strikers, the switchmen's union
aiding,
The strikers heard today that the
other three brotherhoods would be un-
likely to call sympathetic strikes
among firemen, engineers, trainmen
and conductors.
w. J. Frost, general organizer OF
the Switchmen's Union, declared the
strike was an effort on the part of
President W. G. Lee, Of the B. r. T..
to abolish his union and force his men
into the Brotherhood
The normal freight car movement
in Chicago Is 10000 cars day but
of late because of war conditions, ii
has been $4,000 cars or more.
"It will be a fight for liberty and
democracy against the autocracy OF
Kaiser Bill Lee, president of the b
r. t. said w. j. Frost, general or
ganizer of the Switchmens Union.
Uncle Sam Takes Hand.
Washington, July 2S.-Using the
good offices of the government to pre-.
: vent rail tie-up in and around Chi
cago commissioner c. w. Hanger OF
the United States board mediation
: and conciiation is In Chicago today
negotiating with the railways and the
Union leaders.
Mediation was called for by the rail
! ways and because Mr. Hanger hap
pened to be in Chicago, he was in
. structed by that telegraph to star
negotiation at once.
, 1t is said the switchmen are not anx
> ious for mediation, but 1t is hopet
q Commissioner Hanger will succeed il
getting them to discuss their differ
|. ences with Railway managers.
y The seriousness Of tie.up In Chi
v cago, cutting off the west and north
d west from the eastern munitions
n plants and the coast supply point
c may justify the department of labor Il
r. taking hand. although nothing ha
k yet been done.
T. Call Crippled Men.
n. Chicago, July 2S--A call for cri
~ pied swtchmen--those who have lo'
a leg or an arm in tho servlce-wa
sent out today by the railroads a
fected by the strike, Most of the
are pensioners, but they know tf
| yards and can "fll in" nicely.
Import Negro Workmen.
y Chicago, July 2S.-A report reacht
-. headquarters of the Switchmen
- Union of North America today tn;
80 carload of negro laborers had bee
v imported into the Chicago Milwaukt
-, e. st. Paul yards to take the place
~ =, the striking Brotherhood OF Railws
y. 1ralnmen.
" ~ Union officials at once announce
=. ~, that any attempt to put negro lab'
20. at the side of the switchmen still
by w