Arizona republican., 1920-04-18
RAIL SITUATION
 NEARS NORMAL
 IN ALL SECTIONS
Southern Pacific to Lift Elm bargoes on Three of Four Divisions - Crunau De- nies Chicago Yardmen to Call Off Strike - Condi- tions Improving
IRepubIican A. p. Leased wireJ

Traffic on the country's main arteries of transportation affected by the "out- law" strike was far nearer normal last night than at any time since its dis ruption.
 With the machinery of the railroad labor board in Washington set in mo- ton to adjust wage controversies, there came reports from the principal cen ters of vastly improved conditions with here and there show of lingering stubborness by the strikers to continue an apparently hopeless struggle.
 Tn the New York metropolitan dis trict, ..insurgent'' firemen and engine men voted to remain out. but their ab- sence from the terminals. according to reports, is not retarding progress in the gains made in both freight and pasSen- ger movements.
 The strike in the Chicago terminal district took q new aspect with an ad- ditiona1 demand for recognition of the Chicago Yardmen's association as the governing body of railway switchmen and yard men. John Grunau. its pres- ident, denied it was planned to call off the strike.
 A. O. Wharton, international presi dent of the railroad employees depart ment of the American Federation of Labor. left Kausas City last night for Washington to attend meetings of the railroad labor board this week.
 
 Coast Conditions Much improved SAN FRANCISCO, April 17.-Con- sestion of freight, caused by the strike of switchmen, was being cleared rapid ly here, in Los Angeles and at other important railroad centers of the Pa cific coast, railroad officials announced today, and an early end to the strike was predicted.
 The Southern Pacific planned to
 lift ernbargoes on perishabIe freight
 throughout the Shasta, Coast and
 Western divisions by Monday,
 when virtually normal freiaht ser
 vice is expected. The Western Pacific and Santa Fe also planned
 to resume uninterrupted service
 within the next day or two.
 The strikers maintained confident attitude today. declaring they were content to await instructions from theiy leaders before returning to work.
 L. A. Situation Improved
 LOS ANGELES, Cal. April 13. = The speedy collapse of the switchmens strike was predicted here tonight by officials of the Southern Pacific, San la F'e and Salt Lake railroads.
 At the same time. the strikers were reported as stating they would await the actions of their leaders before re- turning to work and as declaring pas- senger traffic in and out of Los Ange- les Soon would be tied up.
 The railroad companies announced increased freight traffic and the hope they could lift the embargo on perish- able goods by Monday. Officials said they did not think the switchmen could tie up passenger traffic here.
 T. H. Williams assistant general manager of the Southern Pacific, said all passenger trains on that line were running, four freights had been sent out today and three more switch en- zines, with new crews, were busy.
 Says Strike Has Ended
 CHICAGO, April 19-President Sam uel Heberling of the Switchmen's Union of North America announced tonight that information from all parts of the country indicated that the in surgent strike had ended Passenger traffic is becoming normal in all major railroad terminals" he said. Even the leaders of the strike are returning to work. l anticipate no trouble"
 Mir. HeberlinE, who has been in Chi cago since the beginning Of the strike said he would depart for Washington