The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-04-09


wASHINGTON. April 9.-An inves-
ipation of the unauthorized strike OF
switchmen and other railroad en-
ployes was ordered today by the
senate.
CHICAGO, April 9.-One switchman
was shot and several slugged at meet
ings Of the striking railroad men lasI
night, police learned today
John Krintz, striker, who propos-
ed that the men return to work, was
shot. 1t was reported. He was spirited
awav in an automobile by friends.
Trouble broke out at two meetings
of the newly formed branches of the
Chicago Yardsmen's association, when
members suggested return to tne
ranks of the established brotherhood.
Sabotage was advocated by one OF
the speakers, E. c. Esty, Z. Y. A
organizer, who participated In the
Gary steel strike and several lapor
disturbances here.
Proud To Be Rebel.
"They call me rebel, Esty tolu
the strikers I'm proud to be reoei:
In 1910 I had charge of a railroad
strike in Minneapolis and St Paui.
The men all went and stayed out.
81 went down to the I. w. w. head
quarters and got some help. Then one
day four passenger trains were wreck
ed. The next day seven freight trains
we're wrecked Then we sent Woru
to the railroads that If they dldn
come across we would tear down the
round house. They didn't answer
we did The roundhouse was torn
down.
"Then the railroads begged for
mercy and asked to meet us. We told
them tn come to us. There was a
meeting. The union drew up con-
tract and the railroads refused 1t. The
next day we blew up bridge. We
won the strike.
Did 90 Days in Jail.
'T did 90 days in Jail for blocking
the mails. got off light because
told the Judge didn't know the law.
but of course knew it then as we'll as
I know now"
Continued spread of the insurgent
strike of switchmen and enginemen on
railroads throughout the country was
indicated by reports today showing
that more than 10000 men had joined
the walkouts.
Eight thousand insurgents were out
in the Chicago district where the
strike had it's inception nine days ago
and reports from score OF cities from
. coast to coast in which walkouts have
occurred predicted additions to the
strikers ranks during the day
Union Men Minimize Act.
Railroad brotherhood officials who
have denounced the "rump' unions
and appealed to loyal union to assist
in breaking the strikes. declared, how
ever the walkout in the Chicago dls.
Irict had reached its maximum, "oulu
be broken within 4S hours and strikes
in other parts of the country tnen
would end The spread OF strlke
fever" to other cities, he insisted, was
onlv an indication the strike was run
ming its natural course
Chairmen of the Brotherhoods an
nounced there had been an improve,
ment in the Chicago district and tha'
the men were slowly returning &c
work They asserted that freight
traffic was so per cent. normal.
On the other hand leaders OF the
revolving yardmen's union declared the
strike was growing, and that the men
would continue to remain out or the
parent unions.
Between 10000 and $4,000 packine
house and stock yards workers mac
been thrown out Of employment today
as the result of stoppage OF cattle
sbipments packers announced. many
Industrial plants reported thousands
of employees would be thrown out o.
work if the freight tie-up continued
another week. .,
summary of conditions through
out the country, early today reported
follows: exo;a,
Chicago. 5000 men on strike frelsh
traffic estimated SO per cent OF nor u.
NAL; Toledo, 1000 employees OF y
:. roads idle; ST. Louis, 1000 men out
freight traffic virtually tied up; But
falo 1000 men idle; Jersey CITY Z,oo'
vardmen and other workers out; 10: 10:
Angeles, 400 on strike; Detroit: 1'2o'
to 400 idle; San Francisco, 44s me'
out. Kansas City. 400 men on strlRe
cary, Ind, $50 idle; Syracuse zo'
men out: Saginaw. Mich. 200 mei
Pierre Marquette out; Salt Lake, ~
men on strike; Ogden, $50 sw1tchmel
on strike; Decatur, ILL.,. lot men stIlk
ing; Joliet H.. SO out on four roaos
fcontlnuad on PAGE NIne)