New-York tribune., 1920-04-22
Strike Chief
Denies Pact
With Unions
McHugh, on Arrival From
Capital, Voices Wrath
at Rail Heads Who Fail
to Prolong Ultimatum
Demands Managers
Grant More Time
Brotherhood Men Plead
in Vain for Seniority
for Those Who Return


Reports from Washington to the eff
Yect that Edward McHugh, chief of the
jnsurgent railroad strikers in this
vicinity, had reached an agreement
with the railway brotherhood officials
concerning the terms under whicn his
followers would go back to work were
denied by McHugh when he reached
The outlaw leader Indignantly de-
MED the report that he had ordered
his followers to return to work. He
was especially wrathful at the failure
of the railroad heads to extend their
nltimatum. which expired last Sunday,
SO that the strikers could return to
work with their priority rights intact
"If the attitude of the managers in
their denial of an extension of the
ultimatum is for the best interest of
the public, notwithstanding the Penn
sylvania Railroad system, according to
latest reports, has granted to the en-
ployees an extension of time until
1891 p. M, April 22, then l will not
ask the men whom l represent to re-
turn to work"
No Extension of Time
officials Of the Pennsylvania Railroad
IN Philadelphia said last night the COM
pany had not granted an extension in
the time set for its striking employees
to return to work in order to preserve
their seniority rights. The company
issued an ultimatum notifying the strik-
ers that, in order to be restored to
service without prejudice OR loss of SEN
iorlty, they must report for work on or
before 1901 a. M. April %. employees
who fail to report for duty at the time
specified" the ultimatum said "will be
considered as out of the service"
1t was understood that the brother
hood chiefs, under the terms of the
truce. had agreed to see that the men
still out would be taken back without
prejudice and with full seniority
rights
The railroad managers, however, fol-
lowing conference with the brother
hood leaders last night, announced they
would not reinstate the strikers to their
former status, and under their ruling
all men returning will be taken on as
new employees.
lhis decision was made public Dy j.
J. Mantell, New York manager of the
Erie Railroad and spokesman for the
General Managers Association, after
representatives. of the four brother
hoods had interceded for hours for an
extension of the railroads ultimasum,
which expired Sunday noon last. re-
quest by the brotherhoods that the
time limit of the ultimatum be extend
ed until noon to-day, so the strikers
might maintain their seniority rights,
was denied.
The decision of the railroads was set
forth in the following terms:
THE General Managers Association
was waited upon this evening by l.. G..
Griffing. Assistant Grand Chief of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers;
7. R. Dodge, vice-president of the
". Wark, vice-president of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
and Enginemen, and P. j. Mcnamara,
also of the latter body.
"A request was presented to the
General Managers Association that the
time limit fixed by them with the con-
eurrence OF the railroad brotherhoods
placing the hour when the men could
return to duty without surrendering
their seniority rights should be ex-
tended from II o'clock noon, April 18,
to the same hour April %.
ut was said this request was made
1t the suggestion of the leaders of the
outlaws, who would Immediately return
TO work If the request were granted.
Managers Stand Firm
After careful consideration the
managers decided that they could not
consistently retire from the position
they have already taken with the ap-
provai OF the organization chiefs, and
mat to accede to the request of the
outlaws would be detrimental to the
pest interests of the three parties in
VOWED namely, the public, the rail-
roads and the organizations"
Inc firm stand of the railroads is
oota G. E..
ther unauthorized strikes and to indl-
cate to the strikers that the railroads
VIII not tolerate such action. They
intimated they would pursue the policy
OF nrst come, first served, and that
men would be assigned to runs in the
oroer that they returned to duty. Many
o. the managers expected many appli-
eahts to-day and predicted that normal
service would be restored on all lines
within twenty-four hours.
communication declared to be
rom hchugh was read to the strikers
a. a.. hastily called meeting in Grand
view Hall yesterday, and, while the
men emerged smiling and with an air
VI satisfaction, statement was given
pos iater by the executive committee
Iahoing the peace report from Wash
'"x,oh az false and mere propaganda.
We nave code message from our
committee at Warrington" ran the
.la'ement, (which tells us just what
.ae conditions are. They do not indi-
.a.e shat we are putting our case in
e'e hands Of the brothe ood chiefs"
was announced that McHugh would
make full report to the strikers al
meeting this morning
Trolley Strike Looms
"'sh the railroads working hard Ia
xe' 'ne Seryice back to normal and
lcsntinusd pase thrss)