New-York tribune., 1920-04-16
Lines Reserve the Right
to Refuse Employment
of All Men Guilty
of Radical Methods
Troops Mobilize
AT Camp Merritt
Rush Back to Work
Expected to Take On
New Impetus To-day

ing IN New York, determined to re-
store their lines to a normal basis at
the earliest possible moment, issued
an ultimatum last night to the strik-
ers and chiefs of the four big rail.
way brotherhoods.
The ultimatum gives the brother.
hood heads until noon tomorrow to
get such of the OUTLAWS" as are ac-
ceptable to the railroads back to
work, after which the railroads will
open their books for twenty-four
hours to such others Of the strikers
as they deem fit for further railroad
service.
That the ultimatum is in fact a
notice to certain of the more radi-
cal strikers that they no longer have
jobs is clearly indicated by the last
clause, which states the railroads
retain the right to refuse TO rein
state or reemploy certain employees
who have shown during the period
of trouble by violence, seditious ut
terance, intimidation or other we'll.
defined means an unfitness for fur.
ther railroad service"
Managers in Conference
The ultimatum was addressed to l..
G. Griiing. assistant Grand chief engi-
neer, brotherhood of Locomotive Engi-
necrs; Timothy Shea, assistant presi-
dent of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Flremcn and Engineers; T.. r. Dodge,
assistant president of the Brotherhood
of Railway Trainmen. and s. {. Cover,
deputy residcnt of the Order Of Rail
way Conductors. II was signed by +.
NJ. Rlne, chairman of the Railroad Cen
eral Managers Association. and was
MADE public by J. }. Mantell, New York
manager Of the Erie Railroad, shortly
after conference OF the heads Of the
various roads.
Mr.. Shea declared to Tribune re-
porter last night that he had received
/. copy of the .;ltmatum and would
present It TO tho strikers in Jersey Citv
TO-DAY. He regarded the notice A.
fair warning TO the men still out.
and said that nc ana the chiefs Of tho
other railway brotherhoods were Of
'he Same nina win fc"afd To the
matter.
'If the men 60 back by Saturday
noon" he added. they will be re-
ceivcd as loya brothc rhood men II
they go back after that thev will he
received as individuals and lose their
seniority rights
The brotherhood chiefs. it was
pointed out. are in favor Of the move,
because thev feel it will at once bring
back to the fold the loyal and regular
workers. The violent radical. who will
hold cut at the risk of his job, is not
reilly wanted ov am Of the bodies.
The brotherhood chiefs already have
promised to punish those responsible
for keeping the men out, but if the
statement means anything the rail-
roads. it appears, will save them lot
of trouble.
In discussing the ultimatum. Mr..
Mantell referred TO his statement OF
TUESDAY, in which he asked the public
to bear with the railroads for few
days in order to give the grand officers
of the brotherhood organizations an
opportunity to bring the outlaws back
into the service.
Rush to Work Expected
after considerable delihcration on
the part ofethe railroad managers at
their meeting to-day" ne added. "and
the insistent demand of the public that
traffic be resumed, il was felt, as the
strike had lasted full week and had
caused great disarrangement of busi-
ness and other affairs. thgt the step
they are now taking will be considered
reasonable and just by the general
public
The notice, it was pointed out. may
serve to accelerate the rush back to
work that has now been in progress
for two days. Little enthusiasm was
evinced by the strikers at their meet
ings in Jersey City and Hoboken yes
terday, and Timothy Shea, who ad-
dressed the Hoboken audience, said he
was more optimistic than ever regard
ing the situation.
Dissension has broken out among the
strikers, he declared, and the lack Of
money and fear of losing their jobs il
causing those out to look around for
an excuse to declare the strike off A
telegram from the Railroad Labor
Board. it was stated, agreeing to con-
slder their grievances, would solve the
problem.
The situation among the railroads
was still further improved yesterday.
Groups of firemen, brakemen and switch.
men afe continuing to report for duty,
and survey of the various lines show
that not only is the passenger service
approaching normal, but larger guam
titles OF freight are beginning to move.
Food Outlook Hopeful
In this connection. the food situation
is taking on more hopeful aspect.
Contributing to this is the settlement
Of the strike of teamsters, chauffeurs
and truck drivers. which threatened 10
tie up the little stocks of fresh feod
which the railroads have been able Ia
get into the city freight yards.
The situation was further improved
by the settlement of the strike OF lonrs
shoremen against the three piers Of the
United Fruit Company, which has eus