New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-10
Food Supply
OF City Is
Threatened
Union Chiefs Charge Plot
of ''Outlaws" to Pro-
mote Radical Scheme
for Zone Big Union''
Ranks of Strikers
Break in Chicago
U. S. Agents Instructed TO
Take Vigorous Action
to Prevent .Couging


The strike of radical railroad
workers, which began in Chicago a
week ago and reached New York
Thursday night, spread yesterday
throughout the Eastern states with
momentum which amazed railroad
officials and confounded the best ef-
forts of the brotherhood leaders to
combat it.
The employees of the Hudson e.
Manhattan tubes at meeting in
Jersey City, which ended at mid
night, voted to go on strike at B
o'clock this morning. Two thousand
men are involved.
At the meeting of the day train crews
there were 1O5 delegates present. The
first ballot showed vote of OF for the
strike and eight against. A second
ballot showed vote of 104 in favor
and one against the strike
Employees of the railroad on duty in
the Hudson Terminal Building early
this morning said that their informa-
ton in regard to the strike was linn
tied to rumors but that they expected
notification of strike order before
five O'Clock.
Police to Guard Tubes
Police are making preparations ade-
quately to guard the tube entrances
and platforms this morning, they hav-
ing received word that the strike had
Ao1I IaI 1er 81, Dot, l. &c
Battersby of Jersey City said his
men will guard the tube stations and
see that no disorder prevails. He was
not able to say whether the company
will make any attempt to operate
trains should all the employees re-
fuse to report for work.
1t was Impossible to get any official
information concerning the program
of the company for the maintenance
sey City, Newark and Hoboken term
inals of the tubes claim to have no
knowledge of the plans of the officials
of the road.
Information was that the last tubs"
train would leave Newark at 3:2o th.
morning, make a trip TO New York and
return to Newark about o'clock The
police were informed by the railroad
officials that the $40 tube" train from
Newark would in all probability not
start out.
The police from the present outlook
do not believe that any tube" trains
will leave from Newark to-day.
In its recent developments the up
heaval is far graver than at first APP
peared. It amounts to a rebellion on
the part of the more radical workers
within the ranks of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor against the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen Brother
hood leaders said last night that the
movement was a direct effort to intro
duce the zone big union idea"
w. G. Lee, president Of the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen, said he was
strongly opposed TO any attempt on the
part of the government to settle the
strike by arbitration. He said there
was nothing to arbitrate with the III
surgents."
This statement was made in reply 70
an offer of concliation made by w. l..
Chambers, chairman of the United
States Board of Mediation
Food Shortages Reported
Serious food shortages are reported
from many Central Western points.
In Toledo the shopmen are discussing
sympathetic strike In Columbus
tie-up of the trainmen.
While the movement thus spread
there were signs Of break in Chi
cago, the point Of its inception A
delegation of Chicago & North West
ern trainmen called on the vlce-presf
dent of the Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen and offered certain conces-
sions, among which, it was said, was a
plan to call vote on ending the strike
within twentyfour hours. This was
followed by statement by officials OF
the brotherhood and of the roads TO
the effect that the peak Of the strike In
Chicago had passed.
John Grunau, who is leading the
switchmen and whose personal grtev-
ances' were made the focal point of
the Chicago outbreak, said yesterday
that 95 per cent of the switchmen IN
the country would be out by last night
Freight Here Tied Up
In New York freight is almost COM
pletely tied up. railroad officials con-
cede. Embargoes have been announced
at dozens of rural shipment points. and
civic food executives declare that a
continuation of the present condition
will mean short rations for New York
consumers Private experts agrae with
this view
The New York Central announced an
embargo Of all freight into Albany last
night, the embargo to take effect this
morning. Shipments will be accepted
subject TO delay, only when covered by
special permits, the announcement said.
The strike in its present stage is no.
confined to the switchmen's organ,za-
tion with which it originated Yester-
days most significant development was
the adhesion of many brakemen. con-
ductors and engineers to the st-ikcrs'
cause. The strikers through their sc-
credited spokesmen accuse the brother.
hoods OF dilatory methods and luke
warmness in the cause.
The action of the brotherhood lead
ers who yesterday issued calls unon
all loyal brotherhood members 40 go
into the idle yards and take thSblaccs
OF the strikers wherever necessary
SHVAaNritntAA A.