The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-21
OUTLAW CHIEFS
REPUDIATED BY
OWN FOLLOWERS
Refuse to Even Vote on Return
to Work.
Jeer at Substitutes Sent by
Jailed Official.
LEADERS PLEADING FOR CHANCE
Tell Federal Board Dare Not
Return Minus Reply.
Prosecution of "Rump" Union
Heads VIII Be Hurried.

Chicago. April 21.-striking rail-
road men in the Chicago district re-
fused today to vote on the question of
returning to work.
All efforts of committee of strike
leaders to obtain action failed.
A police lieutenant declared the
meeting adjourned after the strike
leaders had been refused a hearing.
He announced that no rump meeting
would be permitted and the hall was
cleared under police supervision.
Declare They Are Helpless.
NJ. J. Kenney. r. S. Murphy and
Shannon Jones, three of the strike
leaders arrested last week, made the
appeal for a return to work at a mass
meeting of striking yardmen. They
were greeted with cries of sold
"outside" and where's Grunau."
Jones explained that efforts to OBJ
tain the release of John Grunau,
president of the Chicago Yardmen's
Mac. not succeeded. Murphy, waving
an American flag, took the floor to
declare he would not fight the
American government" He was greet
ed with catcalls and Kisses.
Union leaders declared after the
meeting they were helpless to order
the men back to work.
The strikers marched across town
10 their headquarters where they re-
sumed the session. Many of the men
had no authority to advise them to
return to work. only President Cru
nau could do that they declared.
Grunau. at whose request the mass
meeting had been called, expected to
attend but failure of his plans to fur
rrfe
at Joliet. Ill.
Grunau to Face Trial.
r. s. Murphy and Shannon Jones.
who called the meeting, anticipated
opposition, but were not prepared for
a wholesale 'walkout" at the mass
meeting.
John Grunau, who had been Jailed,
was expected to be released long
enough to advise his followers to re-
turn to their jobs.
District Attorney Clyne announced
that regardless of the switchmen's ac-
Yon. prosecution of strike leaders on
jGharges of violating the Lever act
would proceed.
Expected Strike End.
mediate ending of the unauthorized
railroad strike in the Chicago district
was predicted by insurgent leaders
when the strikers met.
Outlaw railroad strikers were
day to cancel the strike. Leaders in
dicated the men would vote to return
to work Immediately in the Chicago
district.
Ending of the strike here will result
In striking Switchmen and yardmen
thruout the country returning to work
Immediately, officials here believed.
Action of $4,000 railway clerks and
freight handlers here in voting not to
strike for their wage demands helped
I'LL zHr1e~
believed.
Freight Starts Moving.
Movement of freight and livestock
here today was almost 75 per cent
normal as switching crews continued
to report for duty.
Refusal of the rail labor board to
hear the mems grievances until they
were back at work, was believed to
have influenced them to end the walk
out.
Seven more strike leaders were
under arrest today.
Leaders Are Anxious.
Washington, April 21.-Hearings on
the general railroad wage controversy
which failed of adjustment by the bi-
tinued today before the railroad labor
board with S. w. Hederling, president
of the Switchmen's Union of North
America presenting the demands OF
~ Strike leaders who were denied
hearing by the board Yesterday were
in attendance in an effort to obtain
some assurance that a substantial in
crease in pay and reinstatement with
out loss of seniority rights would be
awarded the men who have quit their
Jobs.
Representatives of the various
crafts declared that they cannot go
back to their men until they can take
some word from the board.
An agreement with the railroad
brotherhood unions under which the
striking railroad workers in New Y ork
will return to work Immediately was
announced here. today by Edward Nc
Hugh spokesman for the strikers.
Mr.. McHugh said he had abandoned
the effort to have the case of the New
York men taken up by the railroad Ia
Dor board and that his committee
would return to New York, leaving
their case to the leaders of the regular
brOtherhOOdS.