The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-04-29
news REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Insurgent SWitchmen Call a
Strike in Defiance of Regular
Unions and Force Tie-Up.
FRENCH TROOPS IN GERMANY
Japanese Take VIadivostok and Will
Stay in Siberia-The Rent Situa-
tion in America--Liberals Gain
in Denmark-Lakes-to-Se
Ship Canal Project Up.
Rx z. r. cLlPsoN.


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-
ocsly disorganized around the Great
Lakes and some other portions of the
middle West by the double results of
the storm and the walkout. From the
beginning it was evident that the labor
trouble was not one directly involving
the men and their employers. but was
an I'M ernal fight taking on the char
acteristics Of civil war among the
unions themselves.
Starting with rebellion of radical
elements among switchmen against the
authority of the Brotherhood of Rail-
road Trainmen and the Switchmen's
union of North America. it spread and
was supported by similar elements in
other branches of railway employment.
InsurgeRt switchmen, however, formed
the center of the movement and the
other railway unions were involved TO
a lesser extent. Many enginemen, fire.
men and others were forced to stop
work, but it appears that few of them
walked out voluntarily They were
rendered idle by the action of the
switchmen.
The strike was unauthorized, a
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 to the unprecedented
length of authorizing strike breakers
and sanctioning the employment of
men from other unions to take the
places of the striking switchmen.
Many switchmen have stood by their
regular organizations refusing to take
any part tacitly or otherwise in the
outlaw action. During the worst
periods of the trouble probably SO per
cent of the switchmen have been at
work and loyal in their. sentiments to
the regular organization Taking into
consideration others also loyal in
sentiment but inundated by the rad
icals, it becomes evident that sub
stantial majority was opposed to the
strike. Among the other important
unions the percentage of regulars"
has been much higher than among the
switchmen.
Responsible unionism has been un-
der fire and has borne heavy attack
with the public, as usual, the chief
sufferer. The whole railroad wage
question was scheduled for early con-
sideration and complete hearing I'M
der the new railroad law. The strike
was a virtual serving of notice that
the insurgents cared nothing for the
law and would not wait for hearing
in effect a defiance of responsible
unionism, law and the public. AT
least. so 1t is regarded by the officials
of railway brotherhoods, employers
and public sentiment so far as it can
be CLEANED. In the strike are clearly
reflected the borrowed doctrines of Eu-
ropean radicals, and many observers
profess to see the direct results of
propaganda by the Russian third In
terntionale'' and its most prominent
sentimental prepayment in this country
the l. w. w.
After a few days of the strike rail-
way officials were claiming in a few
instances almost normal restoration of
traffic and in general, conditions 40
to so per cent Of normal. But the
whole country has been hampered with
a cmtailment of the movement of
food. fuel, perishable commodities and
practically all the necessaries of life
Employment has been affected with