davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
KANSAS JUDGE
JAILS H0WATT
FOR CONTEMPT
Penalty for Refusing to Testify
With Four Others in State
Probe of Mine Deals.

Pittsburg, Kan. April 9.-Alex-
ander Howatt, president Of the
Kansas coal miners, was sentenced
to Jail for contempt of court by
Judge Andrew ]. Curran, of the
Crawford county district court this
morning.
The judge sentenced Howatt and
three associate union officials to
the county Jail until such time as
they will testify before the Kansas
court Of industrial relations.
Under the order of Judge Cur
ran, Howatt and the other officials
will be taken to the country Jail at
| Gerard Immediately.
Closes Four Mines.
-Four mines of the district were
idle this morning on account of the
Howatt hearing, it was announced
at the headquarters of the opera
tors.
Howatt was found guilty of con-
tempt for refusing to obey an order
of Judge Curran issued Tuesday
that he appear with four other Of
ficers of the United Mine Workers
Of America, of the Kansas district.
and testify in the investigation of
the coal mining industry now being
| conducted by the Kansas court of
industrial relations here. In addi-
tion to Howatt, Judge Curran also
found August Dorchy, vice presi-
dent: Thomas Harvey, secretary
and treasurer, and Robert Foster,
district auditor, guilty and gave
them the same sentence ke gave
Howatt.
HOwatt Defiant.
| Howatt shortly after he reached
his Office made this statement:
"Our- position is unchanged. We
stand where we stood. We refuse
to testify before this court because
we do not recognize the court. 1t
is an institution founded to enslave
the working man."
Counsel for the miners in an
amended answer filed this morning
made numerous attacks on the
Kansas industrial court law, alleg-
ing that it violated not only the
Kansas bill of rights and consti-
tuition but that it violated the fed
eral constitution.
! Passed in January.
The law creating the court of in
dustrial relations was enacted at a
special session of the Kansas legis-
lature last January.
The law created the court OF
three members and provides that
industrial disputes where 25 or
more employees are involved shall
be adjusted by the court if the EN-
ployer and employees shall fail to
agree. The law forbids strikes and
it is this provision against which
Howatt is most bitter.
| An under sheriff started with
Howatt and the other officials to
the county Jail at Girard, at 1890
o'clock.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
1900 OUT AT u. II.
TOLEDO YARDS

Nearly 1000 employees Of % rail-
roads entering Toledo, including
switchmen, engine and firemen,
were reported idle today.
In the st. Louis district includ-
ing East st. Louis and Madison.
H., freight traffic was reported
virtually at standstill with yard
men of q roads on strike.
All railroads in Kansas City. Mo-.
operating under contracts with the
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen,
were affected and the strike had
spread today to Kansas City, Kan.
and Rosedale, an industrial suburb.
Points throughout the southwest
reported embargoes had been
placed on freight and cattle ship
ments to ST. Louis, Kansas City and
Chicago, and freight traffic be-
tween New Orleans and Chicago on
all lines, was suspended.
Rail centers throughout Califor-
niaa felt the freight restrictions
and eastward along the trans-con-
tinental lines several terminals re-
ported strikes.
Starting at Los Angeles where
approximately 1,400 yardmen walk
ed out yesterday. the strike spread
to yards in San Francisco and Oak
land and other California cities
The Southern Pacific estimated
that 1,SOO men were on strike or
! lines on its coast division.
| Unionized railroad workers al
Louisville, Ky, voted almost unani,
mously against striking in sym.
pathy with Chicago insurgents.
brotherhood officials reported.
Attempts to form "rump" unions
in several other cities were in pro-
gress today and votes were expect
ed to be taken.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09

Il went down to the I. w. w.
headquarters and got some help.
Then one day, four passenger trains
were wrecked. The next day seven
freight trains were wrecked. Then
we sent word to the railroads that
if they didn't come across, we'd
tear down the roundhouse. They
didn't answer-we did! The round
house was torn down.
Admits Bridge Blast.
Then the railroads begged for
mercy, and asked to meet US. We
told them to come to US. There
was meeting. The union drew up
contract and the railroad refused
it. The next day We blew up a
bridge. That night an ice jam
formed in the river and tore down
the rest of the bridge, so they don't
know to this day who did the job.
But We won the strike.
Il did 80 days in Jail for block
ing the mails. / got off light be-
cause told the judge didn't know
the law. But of course l knew il
then as well as l do now," Esty
concluded.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
STRIKE WANES AS SENATE TAKES HAND
$4,000 Workers Out.
Strike Report Shows

Detroit-Estimates Of railroad Of
ficials placed the number of strik-
ers at $500.
Buffalo-Unofficia estimates, l.
200 out.
Pittsburgh Fifteen hundred
yardmen out, according to claims
of rebel union leaders.
Toledo-Strike leaders claimed
1000 men idle; brotherhood Off
cials, however, place the number at
600.
Los Angeles-Estimated 1900
men on strike.
Fort Wayne - Three thousand
Pennsylvania shopmen reported
out, although the strike, which
leaders say was not connected with
the switchmen's walkout, was re-
ported near settlement.
Syracuse-TwO hundred and fifty
yardmen and 100 freight handlers
reported idle.
San Francisco - Unofficially re-
ported 1000 men out in the San
Francisco Bay district.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
VOTE ON PEACE
NEAR AS HOUSE
SPEEDS DEBATE

Washington, April 9.-Debate on
the peace resolution was resumed
in the house today with members
determined upon sending the pro-
posal to the senate before the ses-
sion closed.
Combating the view of opponents
of the resolution that it proposed
an invasion of the constitutional
powers of the president, Represent
ative Madden, Republican, Illinois,
said it did not assume to take away
any of the presidents treaty making
rights"
Rap at Wilson.
'If the treaty of Versailles had
been ratified as presented by the
president" he said, "it is obvious"
that an American army "Of any
where from $4,000 to 100000
would have been in Armenia today
and the nation obligated for an
expenditure of not less than $775,-
100000 to maintain a mandate un-
der the League of Nations over that
country.
Shall we protect America
against unholy alliances, or shall
we become internationalists? he
asked. I'VE should under no cir
cumstances jeopardize the freedom
of the western hemisphere at the
solicitation of any dreamer or doc
trineaire.
"Saye War Gain in Peace
"Our forefathers framed a gov
ernment to save in peace what they
had gained in war and We are ask
ed by the president to create some
thing that will lose in peace what
We won in war.
"Since the president has refused
to act; refused to consult; refused
to compromise, it seems to me the
time has come for the voice of the
people to be heard and this resolu-
ton presumes to express the voice,
for l verify believe that four-fifths
of the American people are for
America, whatever the other one
fifth may be for. l want to see the
League of Nations covenant Amer
icanized."
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
FATAL SHOTS
Mistake, SAY
! FRENCH CHIEFS

Frankfort, April S.-Asserting
mere was no intention to fire a
machine gun into a crowd here
Wednesday, and that the incident
was really a mishap, is made by a
french officer who witnessed it.
rear on the part Of a French SOL
aier that the crowd intended to
iusn the patrol in the street led to
the tragedy.
This man, it is declared, put a
ueit OF cartridges into the gun for
,ae purpose of firing one shot to
uisperse the crowd. The explosion
Vi the gun, however, caused the
soldier in charge OF it to lose his
mead and the whole belt was fred
!! was explained by the officer that
every care had been taken to pre-
vent repetition of the accident.
niame for Wednesdays tragedy is
paced upon German students, by
.ae french, who declare they tried
" SUR up the people.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
LATE BULLETINS

Washington, April 9.-volun-
tary instead Of compulsory uni
versal military training as pro-
posed by the army reOrganiza-
ton bill was adopted today by
the senate. The vote was 46 to
8. As adopted the plan, which
the war department is directed
to put in force during the cal
endar year 1922, provides that
all men between the ages Of Is
and 2S, would be eligible for
four months training in any
one year they might select.
Berlin, April 9.-The German
government has forwarded to
DR.. Won Mayer, German charge
d'affaires at Paris an emphatic
note declaring that Germany
will hold France responsible
for all damages and casualties
growing out Of the Occupa-
ti0n Of the cities in Hesse
which French troops have en-
tered.
Los Angeles. Cal, April o.
Mary PickfOrd Fairbanks was
under the care Of a physician at
her home in Beverly Hills to-
day, following what was said to
have been q nervous collapse
while working at her studio
late yesterday.
Washington, April 9-Repre-
sentative Kitchin of North
Carolina, Democratic leader in
the last congress, suffered =
slight stroke of paralysis on
the right side today soon after
: delivering = speech In the
house opposing the Republican
peace resolution.
Washington, April .9-After
receiving the state depart
ment's Interpretation Of the
Monroe doctrine, the congress
Of Salvador adopted q decree
proposing q Latin.American NJ.
lance with the United States
excluded.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
MEREDITH PARTY
FOR NOMINATION
OF ATTY. PALMER

Cedar Rapids. Iowa, April a
special dispatch to the Evening Ga
zette from its Washington corre-
spondent says that Secretary Of Ag-
riculture Meredith and the other
members of the Iowa delegation to
the national Democratic convention
will vote solidly for A. Mitchell
Palmer for the presidential nomin-
alton.
The announcement was made at
Washington by c. c. Carlin, chair
man OF the Palmer campaign COM
mittee who said he had been SO adj
vised by Wilbur W. Marsh, national
committeeman from Iowa.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
Striker, Urging Men
To Return, is Felled
By Bullet In Chicago

Chicago, April 9.-One switchman
was shot and several slugged at
meetings of the striking railroad
men last night, police learned today.
John Krintz, a striker. who pro-
posed that the men return to work,
was shot, it was reported. He was
spirited away in an automobile by
friends.
Trouble broke out at two meet
ings of the newly formed Chicago
Yardmen's association when men,
bers suggested a return to the
ranks of the established brother
hoods.
Sabotage and violence was advo-
Gated by one OF the speakers, E. c.
Esty, c. Y. A. organizer who par
ticipated in the Gary steel strike
and several labor disturbances ,:ere
"Pr0ud to Be Rebel,
"They call ME a 'red'," Esty told
the strikers. I'm proud to be q
rebel. In 1910 l had charge of a
railroad strike in the twin-cities-
Minneapolis and st. Paul. The mer
all went out and stayed out.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
5 UNIONS ASK
MORE Time TO
BREAK STRIKE

Chicago, April 9.-The five great
railroad unions in joint letter ad-
dressed to the Western Association
Of Railways this afternoon asked for
more time in which to break the
unauthorized strike of some of
their members. and solicited the
cooperation OF the railroads toward
that end.
The railroad managers denied to-
day persistent reports that they
were contemplating Recognizing the
insurgent unions, or that they
would employ professional strike
breakers.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
CBy United Press).

More than $4,000 railroad men
were idle today as the result of
unauthorized" strikes, according to
unofficial estimates. In addition.
thousands of other workers in pack
ing houses and industrial plants
were idle as the direct result of
strikes. The situation, summariz-
ed, fololws:
Kansas City-Unofficial estimates
placed the number of railroad
swltchmen on strike at 1850.
st. Louis--I. L. Burlingame, gen
eral manager of the st. Louis termi-
nal. said strikers numbered 1000.
Union officials claimed 5000 out.
Chicago-Railroad switchmen on
strike unofficially estimated at s.
600, with $4,000 packing house and
stockyard workers idle.
New York-Railroad officials es-
timated 1000 yardmen and switch.
men on strike in the New York dis
trict.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
FORD ASKS VOTE
FRAUD PROBE BY
SOLONS IN SENATE

Detroit. April "a telegram urg-
ing an immediate and thorough in
vestigation into the charges of fraud
in connection with the Newberry-
Ford senatorial campaign in Mich
igan In 1918 was sent to the United
States senate elections committee
by Henry Ford yesterday.
That the investigation is particu-
larly urgent now because Of counter
charges growing out OF the recent
Newberry trial that / also expend-
ed large and unlawful sums" was
the contention Of Mr.. Ford.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
25,437STRIKE
TOTAL, REPORT

Cities which had reported this
morning estimated a total Of 2e.437
railroad men to be idle. To this
number must be added hundreds
Of thousands Of men and women
forced out of employment. indirect-
ly, by the railroad walkout.
Factories in many cities are clos
ing down because Of lack OF coal
or raw materials. In Chicago 5o.-
900 packing house workers are IDLE.
Many railroad men who have mo-
part in the strike have likcwtse
been locked out because OF the tie
up in the freight yards.
Yardmen in Cleveland. Hornell.
N. Y, and Denver, Colo, are 10
vote today on the strike question:
In several cities where meetings
were held yesterday the men voted
to stick to the old brotherhoods and
have nothing to do with the "out-
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09

WILD RIVER
A|PS LEvEE
NEAR TOWN
dan Mile Above High
Bridge Opens Lake
20 Miles Long.
RL.DANGER PAST.

The break IN the levee at about
II o'clock last nigst on the Illinois
eide Of the Mississippi about a mile
,boys the high bridge at Musca-
tine brings the Illinois flood situa-
tion b a more serious point than
th,t on the Iowa side, which up
until this time has been taking the
bunt Of the food.
Al I o'clock this morning the
breach IN the levee had been wild
eued TO 300 feet and 1000 acres OF
farm land between the river and
the bluff and down to the Copperas
creek had been completely inundat-
ed BY 10 o'clock this morning.
The levee at Copperas creek was
not expected to hold throughout the
day, and if this should give way
10000 additional acres of land be-
tween the river and the bluff and
from C0pperas creek to near New
Boston, 20 miles below the first
levee break, will 60 under the food
waters.
A lake two miles in width and 20
miles long is sure to result from
the breaking Of the levee. Live
stock Is being driven out of the
danger zone and families have es.
capped to the higher ground.
Last nights break did not come
without warning and the persons
living in the 1000 acres district had
gotten away long time before the
food waters took control Of the ter
ritory. ....
With the Copperas creek levee in
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
DANIELS SEES
SUFF VICTORY
WITH NC. VOTE

washington. April 9.-Declara-
ton of the North Carolina Demo-
cratic state convention yesterday
in favor of ratification of the wom-
an suffrage amendment means 1t
Is all over but the shouting" Sec
retary Daniels said in telegram
sent today to Mrs. Carrie Chapman
Catt president of the National
woman Suffrage association.
"The North Carolina legislature
shortly to be called in special ses-
sion Is certain to- ratify," the sec
retary said, "thus giving US the 80
states necessary"
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
CHICAGO men
BEGIN RETURN

Chicago, April 9.-Striking switch
men, who have been on strike here
for nine days, began returning to
work this morning.
Brotherhood officials, who have
been fighting the illegal" walkout
of their men, do not claim that the
strike is broken, but were much
encouraged by reports from sew
eral roads that the men, in small
groups. were reporting for work.
The Chicago junction railway.
the BELT Line" connecting the
stock yards and packing plants
with the trunk lines. was one of
the first to report. Eleven engine
crews were at work this morning,
the report said. as compared to
three yesterday.
Congestion Impedes.
While the switching and freight
situation showed improvement. the
congestion in the yards grew 50
great that seven of the eight rail-
roads entering the Dearborn street
station are unable to run passen-
ger trains down town. They are
discharging passengers at subul
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
SINN FEM RIOT
TOLL 1,089 IN YEAR

London. April 9.-Outrages num-
bering 1889. all attributed to the
Sim Fein movement between jan
uary, 1919, and March 29, 1920,
were announced by an official pa
per.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
PROBE TO BEGIN At ONCE
ON PLEA OF MCCORMICK;
BREAK SOON, UNIONS SAY
Brotherhood Officials Encouraged by Return OF
Many Small Groups of Striking Switchmen-
Backfre Reaches Northwest Strikers Hurt
in Own Clashes-Coast in Tieup.

ban stations to complete the trip
on elevated or surface cars.
Only the Santa Fe was running
into the station this morning. The
other roads which normally use
that depot are the Monon. Erie.
Grand Trunk, Chicago & Eastern
Illinois, Wabash, Chesapeake &
Ohio and Chicago & Western Indi-
ana.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09


Without a record vote the senate
adopted Senator McCormick's reso-
luton directing the interstate COM
merce commission to inquire re
specting any existing strike of any
interstate railroad employees not
conducted or authorized by any
recognized organizations Of rail-
road employees" and submit re-
port to the senate. A favorable re-
port on the resolution was made to.
day by the senate expenditures
committee.
Wilson Is Blamed.
Supporting his resolution. Sena-
tor Mccormick said the country
was confronted by a very grave
situation brought about by the
failure of the president to appoint
the federal labor board" author,
ICED under provisions of the rail.
road act. What is needed now, he
said, "in default of the appoint
ment of the board is to bring the
facts before the public and mobil-
ize public opinion. There is M
other way to force the men back tt
work." he declared.
Seeks Law Force.
After receiving an appeal froE
W. G. Lee, president of the Broth
erhood of Railway Trainmen, Rep
resentative Cooper, Republican
Ohio. today took up with the de
partment OF justice. the question o
whether the provisions of presen
laws could be made operative il
the case of the unauthorized strik,
of trainmen and other railroad EN-
ployes.
Reply of Lee.
Mr.. Cooper is a member of thi
Trainmen's Brotherhood. The tele
gram to him from Mr.. Lee follows
illegal strike of switchmer
spreading all over country regard
less of efforts of officers Brother
hood and Switchmen's union. oni,
bona fide organizations entitled tc
represent yardmen. 1t seems
strange that present laws against
strike of railroad employees can be
threatened or used only against
bona fide labor organizations tina,
have supported government at all
times and made good their con-
tracts with railroads. Must We
understand that such laws do not
apply to renegade organizations OF
those melting illegal strikes?"
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
LARGEST BABY IN
STATE AND MOTHER
VICTIMS OF BIRTH

Chicago, April 9.-Mrs. Archie
Nicholas of Aurora, who two
months ago gave birth to a baby
boy, weighing 16k pounds-the
largest baby ever born in Illinois
died in the St. Joseph hospital yes
terday of sleeping sickness. The
boy died the day before. Both will
be buried tomorrow.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
Daily River Bulletin.
Riyer Forecast.

The Mississippi viii fall at q
moderately rapid rate below Du-
buque. and falling tendency VIII
extend to Davenport and Rock Is.
land by Saturday and to Muscatfne
by Sunday. Any further rise at
Muscatine will be very slight
I'M. SHERIER, Meteofologist
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
prOWS HIT SHELLS
IN FIELDS; IL DEAD

Cambrai. April .. = Une1ploded
| shells struck by tractors IN the
fields near here, caused TWO ex-
plosions, killing II people.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
The Weather

Fair tonight and Saturday, moi
much change in temperature, with
the lowest tonight about freezing,
Highest temperature yesterday,
81: lowest last night, 29.
Velocity of wind at 7 a. M,
miles per hour.
Precipitation last "a hours, none
12m. 7p.m. am.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09
BULLETIN.

Washington, April 9-An in.
vestigatiOn OF the unauthorized
strike OF switchmen and other
railroad employees was ordered
today by the senate.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-09

Paris. April 9.-The British atti-
tude regarding the French occupa-
ton Of Frankfort will cause the
opening of diplomatic conversa-
tion between the powers of the en-
tente concerning the whole subject
a. action with regard to Germany
il was said today in official circles
In this conversation the French
attitude will be based first on main
tenance OF the entente, and second
on strict execution of the treaty OF
Versailles.
The French, although declaring
themselves not satisfied with some
of the terms Of the treaty, accepted
it as finally signed, and now con.
slider it sort of charter as re-
CARDS relations with Germany
Great Britain, it is thought here
considers it rather as a sort OF
| elastic basis of settlement of Eu.
ropean affairs. which is capable ol
diverse notifications.
Subject Of Diplomacy.
Cancellation of these viewpoints
will be the object of the ensuing
conversations.
1t is recalled that articles AZ, 4:
and A of the Versailles treaty de.
fined actions by Germany which
F., might be regarded as calculated tt
disturb the peace of the world, ant
it is pointed out that such actor
! by Germany was accomplished
when the reichwehr penetrated the
Ruhr district.
In provision for such violation
of the treaty by Germany, Grea
Britain and the United States
through their representatives il
Paris, it is noted, agreed in separ
ate treaties to support France
against. the German menace, bu
those treaties, it is recalled in Off
cial circles, are thus far deat
letter. France, it is declared here
/ is thus left alone facing Germany
which is attacking one after an
other the clauses Of the treaty.
Need of Readiustment.
The opinion is expressed in OH
cial circles that; while maintenance,
of the entente is the first point OF
| which future conversations mus
be based, there appears to be
need of readjustment of the rela
tions of the entente powers. Tit
original understanding having beel
to ward off the menace of aggreS
sion by Germany, it was continued
during the war with the view o
winning the war, but was nevel
adjusted to after-war conditions
which, it is asserted here, requires
a more comprehensive accord.