Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-04-05
UNAUTHORIZED CALL FOR STRIKE
OF SWITCHMEN RESULTSlN WALK
OUT OF THOUSANDS IN CHICAGO.
Official. OF Two Union. Or
der Men Back To Work
And Are Cooperating
With Railroad Heads II
Forcing Strike To Close.
Says Report.

CnlcaSO, ApFh o.-AIalH SERVICES
throughout the Chicago district, al
ready seriously crippled by heavy
snow storm, virtually was demoralized
today by the spread OF an unauthori1-
ed strike of switchmen. according to
reports from the eleven railroads af-
fected
Fearing possible riots. John J. Gar
rity. chief of police, early today plac-
ed the entire police force on reserve.
sWitchyards last night, he said.
Mr.. Garrity said the situation was
serious and added that 1T may be
necessary to call out the militia and
declare military control in the rail-
road yards"
$500 Men Out.
Approximately $500 switchmen
were ont at midnight, according to
strike leaders and the General Man
ayers association. representing the
railroads. The strikers asserted 5000
men would be affected today and pre-
dicted complete tie-up Of freight
traffic and a serious Impairment Of
interurban service
After long conference with repre-
sentatives Of the Brotherhood of Rail-
way trainmen, with which the switch
men are affiliated, and the Switch
mems union of North America, the
General Managers association issued
a declaration that there would be me
compromise" with the strikers.
Sixty per cent of the switch en-
gines in Chicago are out Of service
said the managers statement. This
has been caused by an OUTLAW organ
ization which has presented demands
for rates Of pay that already had been
presented to the railroad org1ntxa-
tions by the Brotherhood of Railway
and Switchmen's Union Of
North America.
These demands are being handled
by the wage conference at Washing
ton and must under the trAnsportA-
ton act. be concluded before the labor
board. yet to be named by the presi-
dent" ]
The statement added that, all rail-
roads centering here have. contracts
with the striking switchmen.
Strike Illegal. ~
Officials OF the two big unions have
the men back to work; and are co-
operating with the rail heads IA at
tempting to. break the strike. s
The trouble broke five days ago,
swttchmen in the Chicago district
yards of the Chicago, Milwaukee and
, st. Paul railroad going on strike. The
Illinois Central and the Northwestern
next were affected, the strike spread
| ing to the other railroads yesterday
and last night.
/ The Chicago switching district COW
ers radius of 80 miles and in it. z5,-
900 cars are handled daily. The yard
! men make up and break. all trains
, in that area, also "spotting" cars at
loading and unloading platforms.
The demands of the "outlaw" or
ganization. the recently formed Chi
cago Yardmen's association, are: ~
Foremen of all yards and transfer
engines 81 per hour: yard helpers as
: cents an hour; switch tenders IS a. day
for attending not more than three
switches. helpers rate of,,pay to apply
at 95 cents an hour; time and half
for overtime, Sundays and all legal
holidays, and where they are required
to work more than eight hours on
Sundays or'legal holidays double time
for all time exceeding eight hours