The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-19
Presidents Commission Adopts
Drastic Ruling for Hearings.
None But Representatives of
Regular Unions Need Apply.
"RUMP" UNIONS DEFEATED
East and West "OutlaW"
Strikers Flock to Jobs.
Railways Take Matters Out of
BrOtherhoOds' Hands.

Washington, April 19.-Jersey City
outlaw" railroad strikers today were
denied a hearing by the railroad labor
board
This was under a rule adopted by
the board which requires workers
with a grievance to first try to settle 1t
in conference with their employers.
The ruling states emphatically that
the board will refuse to hear griev-
ances where this provision has not
been compiled with.
Board members said the Esch- Cum
minis law. under which the board is
organized, provides for this
Must Be Regular Unions.
The rule would tend to prevent
workmen bringing their grievances
before the board unless they belong to
the esta bHshed railroad unions and
brotherhoOds. This is because railway
officials SO far have refused to deal
with the outlaw strikers
Under this situation, the established
railroad brotherhoods are given prac-
tically a closed shop on the railroad
systems of the United States. In
all disputes j. which workers are
refused a conference by railway
executives, they cannot bring their
grievance before the railroad labor
board because of the rules. Non-union
men refused a conference by railway
executives would have no court to
which they could appeal. under this
ruling.
Gagged Outlaw Leader.
The rule this morning worked to
effectively gag Chairman McHugh of
the Jersey City outlaw strikers dele
cation who asked to make statement
to the board. McHugh, introduced by
Congressman Eagan of Jersey City.
said he represented men not working
lon fvfl l. n
to call thier movement a strike. They
said they quit-Work. Others referred
TO it as a vacation
McHugh asked the board for per-
mission to describe the situation in
Jersey City where hundreds are away
from their jobs He also said he
wanted to take back some assurance
.hat the board would act promptly in
reviewing wage schedules.
Brothcrhoods Defend Rule.
In reply to McHugh's request.
Chairman Barton of the board called
attention to the rule. The board, he
Nsaid, had adopted the rule in conform
ance with the Esch- -Cummins law and
TO speed up its work. Barton's reply
constituted in effect a denial of Nc
Hugh's request to be allowed to ad-
dress the board.
McHugh said the men he represent
ed had been refused a conference by
railway executives and consequently
the only relief they could get would
be thru the board
Officials of the established unions
defend the boards rule.
Chicago. April 19.-Threat of a new
strike among railroad employees in the
Chicago district today confronted
claims of railroad managers and
brotherhood officials that the 'insur-
gent switchmen's strike had been
broken and the situation rapidly was
returning to normal.
Eight thousand freight handlers and
$4,000 railroad clerks employed on all
lines entering Chicago will take a
strike vote tonight after a conference
today with the railroad heads. George
A Worrell. chairman of the Chicago &
Northwestern Railroad Clerk an
nounced. He said he had been en-
powered to speak for all the clerks
and freight handlers.
Worrell did not announce demands
to be presented but said there seem ed
little chance of compromise" and the
men probably would strike Tuesday.
More Arrests Made.
In the switchmen's Unauthorized
strike, continued improvement in traf-
fic conditions thruout the central and
far west was noted
On the Pacific coast railways oper-
ated today for the first time since the
strike without embargoes on perisha-
Bile freight.
= As a result of new federal descent
on strike leaders in Chicago, ten men
were arrested. Nine were released on
their own recognizance to appear to-
day and make bonds of $4,000 each,
but Harold Reading, chairman of the
board Of directors of the United En-
gtnemen's association was sent to tail
when he would not pledge himself to
stay away from strike meetings.
FloclSing Back to Work.
New York, April 19.-Striking rail-
road employees continued to flock back
to work in New York and vicinity to-
day. despite efforts of radicals. and
railroad officials asserted conditions
were approaching normal. Except Ia
state that a majority of the strikers
had returned J. J. Mantell. spokesman
for the General Managers association
would not estimate the number of rner
who were back at their old positions
The roads are filling permanently the
places OF strikers who failed to report
up to yesterday noon. Mr.. Manteu said
All railroads in this section COM
menced to move freight from the bad.
ly conGested terminals today. Passen.
ger traffic improved to such an extent
that vi~tr' lly normal schedules were
maintained. -
out Of BrOtherhOod's Hands.
Kansas City. Mo, April 19-StriB
ing switchmen must be at work at
q. m. Tuesday or they will be dis
charged. according to an ultimatun
Issued by the railroads here. TIL,
matter is now out OF the hands of tn,
B. r. T. officials and is an individua
matter between the various roads anC
each striker. This ultimatum cam
from all roads but the Union Pacifi