Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-04-14
NO MATERIAL
COMING IN AND
CHANCES SLIM
Some Local Firms Declare
They Can't Last Longer
Than Week or So.
CRISIS IS APPROACHING

indianapolis automobile and motors
manufacturers will face the neces-
sity of closing down if the strike of
railroad switchmen is not settled by
the end of this week, according to
leading manufacturers.
Conditions in local railroad yards were
somewhat improved today, but the plight
of the factories is due chiefly to con-
ditions in other centers.
George VI. Dickson, president and gen
eral manager Of the National AIotor Car
and Vehicle Corporation, predicted today
that his plant and others would be un-
der necessity of closing by next Monday
If relief is not afforded.
OTHER MANUFACTURER
SAY SAME THING.
Other manufacturers confirmed Mr..
Dicksons statement as to the serious
ness of the situation, but few said they
would be able to continue operations for
at least ten days.
Trucks have been bringing parts from
Detroit. Toledo and Cleveland to enable
operation Of plants here but that method
has not proved satisfactory.
New word has come that auto parts
plants in Detroit have been shut down
because the coal shortage has closed the
Edison C mpa1y. which furnishes power
for many plants there.
MARMoN PLANT
SERIOUSLY HIT.
At the Nordyke & Marmon plant it
was said the strike situation was serious
ly inconveniencing operation, but that
no shutdown would be necessary for
two or three weeks even though the
strike continued that long.
The Weidely Motors Company will be
able TO operate for about five days.
The Weidely Company has been truck
ing materials from Detroit, Cleveland.
Toledo and Chicago, but has been unable
to get all the parts needed.
J. J. Cole of the Cole Motor Company
said that factory can operate about one
week longer
The Cole company Is trucking supplies
into the city and driving cars to nearby
dealers.
CAN'T HOLD OUT
MORE THAN WEEK.
NJ. J. Moore, treasurer Of the La
Fayette Motors Corporation, said that
plant was betng seriously hampered by
lack OF materials and parts and that a
shutdown would be inevitable II the
Strike conditions continue another week.
The Stutz Motor Car Company will be
able to run through this week, but Of
hcials are doubtful whether operations
can be continued after next Monday.
improvement was noted in the coal
situation today, a number OF cars des-
tined for Chicago and other centers
having been diverted to the yards here
The Merchants Heat and Light Com
pany, the indianapolis Heat and Light
Company and the Citizens Gas Company
are in no immediate danger of complete
shutdown from the coal shortage. it was
said
Charles oBrien Murphy. vice presi-
dent of the Merchants Heat and Light.
said his company mas enough coal to
run safely If the situation continues to
Improve.
T. A Wynne, vice president OF The
Indianapolis Light and Heat, said the
company has q two weeks supply OF
coal on hand.
SERVICE AT YARDS
IS PER CENT OF NORMAL.
Service in the Big Four freight yards
here rose to 65 per cent OF normal today
and the local situation was eased con-
siderably.
About thirty five Of the striking switch
men returned to work and the Indian
apolis Union Railway & Belt also re-
ported few men back at work
Twenty eight engine crews were at
work, and it was announced forty nine
trains were handled during the preced-
ing twenty -four hours.
A train of sixty-three cars loaded
uht r.
and the indianapolis Abattoir Company,
was made up and started for eastern
points and a train of twenty nine cars
was started for St Louis.
The meat shipments viii help to re-
lieve a serious situation in the east.
TREAT STRIKERS AS
DISCHARGED MEN.
Those men who did not report for
work at o'clock this morning have
severed their connection with the COM
pany and we win proceed to fill their
places as rapidly as possible" said
statement issueds-at the Office of B. c.
Byers, general superintendent of the Big
Four.
I'VE have established an employment
agency at 615 Majestic building for the
purpose of recruiting new men,"
The Big Four was accepting carload
and less than carload freight for all To-
cal stations.
Partial freight embargoes on the Penn
sylvania, L. E. & w. and Illinois Cen
tral lines remained unchanged, but all
were handling some freight.
Officials Of the Monon announced that
less than carload freight for Chicago
would be accepted, as we'll as freight
for c., NJ. & st. P and Sault St Marie
points out of Chicago.
Loyal members of the Brotherhood of
Railway Trainmen, against which The
strike is said to be directed, met in the
brotLerhood's hall in the Saks building
this morning to continue discussion of the
situation.
Ii the Labor Temple the protracted
meeting of strikers continued.
According to brotherhood tfhciais,
many Of the switchmen were vacllnting
between the two meetings. listening TO
Gxhortations at each and apparently un-
Continued on Page Six.)