The evening world., 1919-10-15
EXPRESS STRIKERS
TOLD THEY MUST
RETURN IN A BODY
Driver Attacked And Fish
Dumped On Street In First
Outbreak Since Walk Out.

| Nob'EA r.. VI COWitf vice ITesluenl
OF the American Railway Express
Company. announced to-day that the
striking employees OF the company
will have TO come back to work in a
body IL they come back at all.
we will not take them back in
little groups" he said. THE job we
have on hand is too big. We must
get down to business. The men must
come back the way they went out"
Mr.. Cowie said that no express
| business was being handled and that
none would be handled until the
strike ended.
Although he did not say so. Mr.
Cowie's attitude seemed TO indicate
that he believed the men would come
back, acting on the ultimatum issued
|, by Director General OF Railroads
Hines, who says the mems demand for
more pay will not be considered while
the strike lasts.
But Martin Lacey and other leaders
OF the strikers said the strike would
continue until II won definite con-
! cessions,
1--WE are tired Of vague promises"
he said.
As one evidence OF the mems dis
appointment in Mr. Illness state
menL violence broke out to-day for
the first time since the strike started.
4 group OF strikers tried to drag a
driver from "A wagon which was being
loaded with fish at the company's Of
fee at 50th Street and Lexington
Avenue.
When strikers attacked the wagon
Patrolman Flynn, who was protect
ing the driver. jumped down and held
them while the driver drove hur-
r:edly down the avenue and escaped
Strikers then ripped open three bar
rels OF fish ON the platform and
dumped the fish oh the street. Police
reserves then Dispersed the strikers.
Capt. Duggan, who commanded the
reserves, told company officials he
would give all the protection neces-
The outbreak OF violence is said 10
be due to the disappointment the
men felt when Director General OF
Railroads Hines last night issued his
ultimatum, saying the demands OF
the men would not be taken up until
they returned to work.
But there was not much effort TO
dissemble the gloom that pervaded
strike headquarters at No. ISL Eighth
Avenue. Il had been hoped that
Washington would open some sort OF
loop-hole through which the men
could go back to work without admit
ting defeat But an examination OF
Mr.. Hines statement FAILED to reveal
any such aperture.
Strike headquarters to-day was
silent save for the snores OF sleeping
men. The sleepers were strike lead
ers who, II was explained. had been
working all night" Among them
were Martin Lacey, secretary OF the
union, and William F1emming, La
cey's right hand man.
But the telephone rang and Flem-
ing had to get up and answer ii. The
call was from walking delegate OF
q teamsters' local. 1t was said after
ward. What he wanted was action
against "A Arm that had offended the
local. Fleming frowned as he listened,
tnen spoke impatlently.
mo, no-now listen 10 me-" he said.
We've got enough trouble on our
hands. For Gods sake keep on work
ing-keep -going-keep the wheels
moving No, do as | tell
you. Haven't you got any pity?"
Flemming said everything had been
put into the hands OF Michael j.
Cashel, Vice President of the Team
sters Brotherhood.
| The strikers posted a bulletin at
thoir headquarters this afternoon say
ing that the strike had spread To New
Rochelle, White Plains and Mt. Ner-
non, and that the transportation em-
ployees of the company at Newark,
N. j., would strike at +. M.
Contrary 20 a statement made yes
terday that any reply the Board on
| Wages and Working Conditions OF
| the United States Railroad Admins
| tTation might make to the demands
| of the striking teamsters would be
submitted 10 the men In mass meet
ling. Thomas j. Lyons, business
| agent OF strikers, declared to-day
that an attempt will not be made TO
assemble the strikers for formal con-
slderation OF the message from Mr.,