The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-04-08

CHICAGO, April S.-Reports received
here this afternoon show the railroad
strike spreading with the following ad-
ditions to ranks of strikers:
At Decatur, ILL.,, all switch tenders
In the Wabash yards out, tying up all
freight traffic.
At Toledo, O., 600 switchmen out;
complete tieup expected in "a hours
and 1000 members of the yardmen's
association on Southern Pacific, Santa
Fe and Salt Lake lines out.
CHICAGO, April S.-The "insurgent"
railroad strike. which began week
ago in Chicago. had spread to other
parts of the United States today.
East and westbound freight move
ment across the continent, already re-
stricted by the Chicago strike, was
hampered further by switchmen strik-
ing at such strategic gateways as Buff
talo and Kansas City, and at such in
H.. and Gary, Ind.
Strikes were threatened today at Mil
wamkee, st. Louis and East st. Louis.
strikers predicted also that %, 800 men
IN Northern New York would join them,
cutting off freight traffic from Buffalo
to New York and Boston.
The Yardmen'a association, insurgent
organisation which called the strikes,
was forming branches in numerous ter
minal centers, reports indicated
ii. u. Reading, general organizer OF
the Yardmen's associa ation. announced
mat the clerks and the freight hand
lers brotherhood would take strike
votes Saturday. At Cincinnati 1000
freight handlers served notice that they
demanded an answer by Saturday mid
night fhpir dom mr.
In pay from AZ to Al cents an hour.
Railroad brotherhood officers. who
came to Chicago to assist railroad man
ayers in an endeavor to break the strike
declared that reports for today would
reveal traffic in Chicago yards to be
at least go per cent normal.
The strikers, however. claimed that
by tonight no switch engines would be
operating In the Chicago district. Of
ficers OF the Yardmen's association
claimed that approximately 1900 new
members had been enrolled and 10 new
locals formed in the Chicago district.
They held to their estimate OF 1s,5OO
switchmen out in the Chicago district
IN addition to engineers, firemen and
engine hostlers.
The insurgent enginemen's association
had enrolled 10000 engineers, firemen
and hostlers at Chicago, according to
Its officers.
II. Z. Reading, organizer Of the En-
ginemens association. denied, however.
That enginemen were on strike. They
are not working because with the
switchmen idle there is no work for
enginemen," Reading said. "Our men
refused TO join the switchmen We
simply Joined this organization be-
cause we were tired of the 0's one
dominated by its officers"
the striking switchmen claimed that
engineers and firemen had abandoned
engines on the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy; Chicago, Milwaukee & st.
Paul; the Chicago & Northwestern, and
the Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe rail-
roads at Chicago.
w. G. Lee, president OF the Brother
hood of Railway .Trainmen; William s.
Carter, head Of the firemen, and War
rem 5. stone, grand chief, OF the en-
glneers. joined In denouncing the stri-
kers and demanded that brotherhood
members carry out their contracts. .
Arrangements were made for con-
ference today at Cleveland Of the chiefs
Of the Brotherhood of Railroad Train
men, Locomotive Engineers and Loco
motive Firemen and Enginemen.
Lee declared that reports Of more
than 5000 switchmen out in the Chi
cago district were incorrect. He said
the district membership did not exceed
5000. Railroad managers repeated that
they estimated the strikers did not
number more than 2,700 in the Chicago
district, exclusive OF engineers and fire
men.
Officers OF the Brotherhood Of Rail-
way Trainmen continued with their
plan Of bringing loyal members to Chi
cago to take the places Of strikers.
Industries throughout the Chicago
district had begun TO feel the effects
Of the strike seriously today. Packing
house head said that the total number
Of stockyards employees idle would be
between $4,000 and $1,000 II the strike
continued until Saturday. only so cars
Of live stock were received at Chicago
yards yesterday.
A motor truck freight service to ILL.,
nois and Wisconsin cities was started
by one of the packing houses