The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1920-08-02
MONDAY. AUGUST Q. 1870
S|Nh FE|NERS
CRIPPLE IRISH
TRAIN TRAFFIC

DUBLIN. July II. (By MaiD -
The Irish railway situation apparent
: ~ has resolved itself into a contest
between the government and Sim
Fein. and all the moves on each side
are calculated from that point OF
view
II there Is TO be a general stoppage
of al traffic each side is determined
10 make the ether responsible for il,
and there will be an argument as TO
whether Il is a strike or a lockout.
The government has been acoumulat-
ing transport. and has no difficulty
In conveying any quantity OF guns
and munitions TO any part OF Ireland.
II has therefore not chosen 20 force
the pace BY rendering munitions for
the Irish goods trains. which on the
refusal OF the railway men 20 handle
them would have meant depriving
Ireland Of many OF the necessities OF
life.
The trouble which has occurred
has been solely on the passenger
trains and has been mainly concern
ed with the carriage OF small parties
Of policemen o. of troops who are
being used as supplementary to the
pnlice. At first when the railwaymen
refused to carry them the soldiers or
police took II calmly and returned to
their barracks. Later on the gov
ernment issued an order that the SOL
diers o. police should sit tight in the
railway carriages and insist on being
carried. They were also directed 10
present themselves at the next train
starting for their destination.
Hence a series Of spasmodic held
ups Of trains all over the country
which cannot be relieved till the po-
lice decide TO withdraw. Wherever
the police insist on being carried the
trains cease to run beyond that sta
tion, and the rail waymen responsible
are dismissed. But the passenger
trains which do not stop at that sta
ton are unaffected, and run through
rs usual. On the Midland line this
has meant that trains from Dublin
cannot get past Athenry and Cast
lerea. while trains up 90 Dublin still
run. t ~
The driver. fireman and guard
starting from Dublin convey their
train as far as the point where the
police want TO get on. They refuse
to go any further. and there 10 a
regular daily list Of dismissals.
How small on the whole 10 the
trouble so far may be estimated from
the fact that the total dismissals
after weeks or a months conflict IL
less than 60 on all the lines in Ire
tand. Business has suffered but
slightly. The situation may be re-
iieved any day by a deciNcn Of the
government TO send their men W
motor. That would be hailed; how
ever. as victory for Sim Fein.
The Irish judges who are now 60 ,
ing out to hold the assizes have de-
cided TO travel by motor. Usually |
they go by train accompanied by an
armed guard OF honor. II they went
by train with the guard they would
not be allowed to leave the terminus
II they went without the guard IL ,
would be acknowledging The Sim
Fein power. and they would be liable
TO be held up like any other pas
sengers at any station where police
wanted to come on board. So they
30 by motor. The barristers in many
cases are doing the same thing. and
~ a special concession TO the diff
rulties the time have obtained per-
mission to appear in court without
heir wigs and gowns which are US
aally carried by the bar attendants
by passenger trains now liable to in
chances of delay. Tho dis
,ute 10 not at all Q trades union mat
or. and no union can now control II.
rhe funds for the support Of the dis
missed men come mainly from Sim
rsin sympathtssrs.
lThere 10 10 Nksliheod tAat tie
ailvsy mss vlii yisld but even II