The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-04-15
InsHgent SwitChmen Call a
Strike in Defiance Of Regular
Unions and Force Tie-Up
FRENCH TROOPS IN GERMANY
Japanese Take VIadivostok and Will
Stay in slberia-The Rent Stua-
ton in America-Liberas Cain
In Denmark-Lakes-to.Sea
Ship Canal Project Up.
BY {. F. cLIPsoN.

The railroad strike which started in
Chicago and became acute coincident
with the Easter blizzard, spread rap
idly until nearly every prominent rail
center In the country was affected.
The first few days found traffic seri-
ously dlsorganized around the Great
Lakes ana some other portions Of the
middle West by the double results Of
the storm ana the walliOut. From the
beginning It was evident that the labor
trouble was not one directly involving
the men and their employers, but was
an internal fight taking on the char
acterIstlcs Of civil war among the
unions themselves.
Starting with a rebellion Of radical
elements among switchmen against the
authority Of the Brotherhood Of Rail-
rond TraInmen and the Swltchmen's
union of North America, II spread and
was supported by similar elements in
other branches Of railway employment
Insurgcut sWltChmen, however, formed
the center of the movement and the
other railway unions were involved to
a lesser extent Many enginemen, fire
men and others we're forced TO stop
work, but It appears that few of them
walked out voluntarily. They were
rendered idle by the action Of the
switchmcn.
toll n III
breach of contract. and received no
sanction from brotherhood officials.
In fact. It was condemned at once by
the regular officials and their OrganI-
cations to the extent that they have
aided in every way its suppression,
even going 10 the unprecedented
length Of authorizing strike breakers
and sanCtiOnlng the employment Of
men from other unions 10 take the
places Of the striking switchmen,
Mpuy swltChmen have stood by their
regular organizations refusing 10 take
any part tacltly or Otherwise in the
outlaw action During the worst
periods of the trouble probably 80 per
cent Of the swltChmcu have been at
work and loyal In their sentiments to
the regular organization. Taking into
consideration others also loyal in
sentiment but intImIdatcd by The rad
lculs. IT becomes evident that n sub
stnurlnl majority was opposed to the
strike. Among the other important
unions the percentage Of regulars"
has been much higher than among the
swj'chmcn
Responsible unlonlsm has been I'M
der FIRE and has borne q heavy uttack
with thc public, MS usual the chief
sufferer The whole railroad wage
question was scheduled for early CON
gldcraf'on md complete hearing I'M
der the new railroad law. The strike
WIS virtual serving Of notice That
tle Insurgents cared nothing for the
law and would not wait for hearing
--in effect defiance OF responsible
unlonism, law and the public. At
icost, so Il IS regarded by The officials
or railway brOthefhOpdS employers
ma public sentiment so far as II can
be cleaned. In the strike are clearly
reflected the borrowed doctrines Of Flu.
ropnnn radicals, and many observers
profess 10 see the direct results OF
propaganda by the Russian Third IN.
tcruatinnalc" and It's most prominent
sentimental proporent IN this country
the J. w. w.
After a few days Of the strike rail
way officials were claiming IN 9 few
instances almost normal restoration or
traffic and IN general, conditions 40
70 20 per cent of normal. But the
whole country has been hampered with
curnIlmcnt Of the movement OF
food Fual, pcrighable commodities and
practically all the ncccsSarlcs Of life.
Employment has been affected with u