Omaha daily bee., 1920-04-11
Hundreds of Switchmen Break
Away From Official Restraint
At CIeveIand-NeW England
Workers Remain Loyal.
UNOFFICIAL REPORTS
SHOW 10000 ARE OUT
Thousands of Other Workers
Affected Through Closing
Of Industrial PIants-Some
Strikers Return to Work.


railroad centers today were affected
by the insurgent strike of switch
men and passenger service was af-
fected in some places, notably New
York City, while strikers returned in
small groups at several places. Large
areas of the country had not yet
been invaded by the strike. whyf,
union officials declared was nj, sf-
fort to overthrow the unions and
make way for new organization.
The switchmen in New England,
in all the southeastern states and in
upper Mississippi and the Missouri
valleys remained at work, those in
Denver and St. Paul and Minneap-
oils formally voting to remain at
work.
On the other hand, hundreds of
men in Cleveland, the headquarters
of the Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen, today broke away from
official restraint and quit work.
Reports Differ.
Reports of the number of strikers
were confused by the variance be-
tween the figures of union officers
and strikers. Unofficial figures from
the various railroad centers affected
showed 10000 men on strike.
t. .II.ks-s. kl>,-AI. -C
were indirectly affected by the strike
through the closing of steel mills.
packing plants and other industries
dependent on the roads for coal and
raw material.
The insurgent forces were strength
ened by nearly 5000 today whe (
switchmen in p additional cities ant,
towns struck and further walkoutt
occurred in large railroad centers..
Against this gain about 1000 strik-
ers returned to work in half dozen
places. More than 1000 joined the
strikers already out in Toledo, De-
triot, Columbus, Indianapolis, Fort
Worth and other cities.
Claim Tieup Complete.
In the Chicago area, claims of
railroad heads and officers of the
brotherhoods who united to break
the unauthorized walkout, that strik-
ers were returning to work and that
railroad traffic was gradually ap-
preaching normal, were met with
denials by officers of the Chicago
yardmen's association, who asserted
that the tieup was complete.
Federal intervention in the strike
with the possible utilization of the
Illinois National Guard to protect
property was forecast today by,
the action of District Attorney
Charles F. Clyne, who, after an all
night conference with his staff and
members of the Department Of Jus
tice, summoned John Grunau, leader
of the strikers, to his Office.
1t was said that definite instruc-
tions were received by Mr.. Clyne
from Attorney General Palmer in
regard to the governments action
in the strike situation.
u. S. Not Powerless.
Mr.. C.yne would not discuss pos
sible government action. "I will
say. however" he stated, "that the
United States is not entirely power
less in situation that affects the
food and fuel supply of the country
and that drastic action will be inevi-
table unless conditions are altered
materially within the next 48 hours"
1t was learned that Mr.. Clyne
was in conference by telephone with
chiefs of the Department of Jus
tice in Washington as late as 3
o'clock this morning.
Members of the Eleventh regi-
ment, Illinois National Guard, were
reported to have been ordered to
keep in close touch with their
homes. so they could be reached by
telephone at short notice. They
said they were instructed to be
ready ito go out on strike duty" at
any time.
Plan for Investigation.
Plans for the senate investigation
of the strike were completed today
by Chairman Cummins of the senate
interstate commerce committee. The
inquiry will begin in Chicago on
Tuesday and will conducted by the
full committee, with John Grunau.
A. F. Whitney, vice president of the
Brotherhood Of Railway Trainmen,
and officers of the Chicago. Milwau-
kee and ST Paul railroad, og which
the strike originated, as the first wit
nesses.
Two railroads entering Chicago
lifted all freight restrictions and
promised 100 per cent operation in
the next 4S hours.
The first general movement back
to work was announced after con-
ference between A, F. Lloyd super
intendent of the New York Central
lines; w. H. Kirchy, general. a ~ir-
man of the Brotherhood of EAi ''
Trainmen; and w. Bannis M
Continued on Page Two. CtEAX