New-York tribune., 1920-04-16
Raids in Chicago, Based
on Lever Act, Net Heads
of Insurgents; Meetings
Broken Up by Marshals
Strikers Defiant.
Vote TO Continue
Shout ''Traitor!'' as Pris-
oners Depart; Roads
Gain Strength in West

CHICAGO, April 15.-Charged with
violating the Lever food act, twenty
four leaders in the insurgent strike o1
railroad switchmcn were under arres
in Chicago tonight. In all, thirty war
rants were issued. Railroad and broth
crhood officials declared that the las
buwark of the local strike had beer
broken. Government agents said 2O(
other warrants would be issued later.
Included in the number arrested wa:
John Grunau, president of the Chicago
Yardmen's Association, the paren
OUTLAW" union. The men were taker
unexpectedly by Federal agents a
meetings Of strikers. The arrested
men. vino also included II. f. Reading
chairman of the United Enginemen's
Association. another "outlaw" union
we're released on $4,000 bond each fol
a hearing on April "a by United State.
Commi SsiOncr Mason.
Men Charged With Conspiracy
The raid had been under prcpara
tion for week. United States At
torney Charles r. Clyne said The
arrests followed telephone communi-
cation with Attorney General Palmer
at Washington. The section in the
Lever act under which to-day's &C
tion was taken provides a penalty OF
not more than $4,000 fine or i'm.
prscnment for not more than two
years, or both. 1t is charged that the
men conspired to interfere with ship
ments of food and other necessaries of
life
The men, it was declared, generally
showed resentment against the gov
crnment action and declared they
would continue the strike. After the
arrests 800 switchmen voted to stay
out.
This is a deplorable state of af-
fairs" said Michael Ellgass, one of
the prisoners. 81 believed the ORGAN
ization was a loyal one when | ioined
it,"
Grunau and Reading in a statement
declared the walk-out was not a strike
and said no demands were sent to rail
road managers until the men had left
rneir work. "rhey were not called OUT
the statement said. eve realize that
these arrests are the work of the
brotherhood officials in an attempt to
force us back to work. They will fail
in the attempt. We still deny that we
have violated any law or committed d
any overt act. We are not l. W. WIS
or 'Reds.'"
Cther men arrested included Il. s.
Murphy, publicity representative of the
yardmcn's association, who declared in
statement for the mon that no law
had been violated and said the "wholc
matter" had been mistake on the
part of the Federal officials.
Elmer B. Bidwell, who was named
yesterday by Attorney General Palmer
as Grunau's successor, also was named
Marshais Raid Meetings
The roundup was quite unexpected
by the men. Meetings we're in progress
in several halls, when taxi LOADS of
deputy marshals arrived and picked out
the officials of the two "outlaw" unions
Federal agents who culled the crowd
at Conway Hall, whore Grunau was ar
rested, took William l.. Bond, r. D
Murphy and II. w. Radke to the Fed
cral Building. AS the men left the
hall there were cries of "Traitor!
Traitor!" from the strikers. They &C
cused newspaper men of pointing ou.
the leaders to the Federal men.
Reports from other Western strike
centers showed continued improvement,
in the situation, with more men going
back to work Railroad officials sale
that since the peak OF the walk out
Continued on pass three)