Omaha daily bee., 1920-04-06
loyal Switchmen From West
Go to Chicago to- Oppose
WaIkout of ''Insurgents"--
Snow Big Handicap.
STOCK YARDS THREATEN
LAY OFF $4,000 MEN
Express Companies Place Ems
bargo-Live Stock Receipts
Way Below NormaI-May
Call Out State Troops.

Chicago. April s.--A break in thl
strike of several thousand en-
surgent" switchmen in the Chicag>
switching district was predicted to-
night by A. F. Whitney, vice prest
dent of the brotherhood of Rail
way Trainmen, who said several
hundred union switchmen {rok
many points in the middle west al.
rived today to replace strikers anl
that others would arrive tomorrow
"Switchmen are coming in suck
numbers that the backbone of the
strike will be broken soon." he said.
Every carload of stock that enters
the stock yards will be promptly
handled by reserve crew of Union
switchmen' and we expect TO have
the 600 idle locomotives going in
shost order"
Declare Strike Illegal.
The Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen, with which the railroads
affected have working agreements,
has declared the strike illegal. and
is cooperating with railroad officers.
Officers OF the Chicago Yard
mems organization. which engi-
neered the walkout, claimed 1900
switchmen and yardmen employed
on 18 railroads were on strike to-
day, but railroad officers placed the
number out at approximately $500.
and. while admitting freight service
was operating on Is per cent basis,
attributed the reduction largely to
yesterdays snowstorm.
The strike of $50 switchmen on
the Chicago Junction Railroad,
which serves the stock yards, partly
crippled activity at the packing
houses today and threw 5000 men
out OF employment. .....
Receipts Total 5000.
Only 5000 cattle, hogs and sheep
reached the yards today. as con,-
pared to receipts of 10000 hogs
alone year ago.
The American Railway Express
company today issued an embargo
on freight shipments.
John Grdnau, president Of the
yardmen's union, said the strikers
were, willing to arbitrate differences
if committee of three men from
each railroad was recognized. Rail-
road officers, however, asserted they
would not negotiate while the stfik-
ers were out. Grunau cautioned the
strikers not to commit any violence
and to "act peaceably."
Mr.. Whitney, vice president Of
the Brotherhood of Trainmen, con-
fe6red with "loyal" union men today
and urged them to remain at work.
Grievances Are Just.
This is hysterical strike" he
said, "the men have just grievances,
but we are settling them in the only
way they can BE- settled right. and
that is by arbitration with the heads
of the roads"
The strikers are demanding one
dollar an hour for foremen on yard
and transfer engines, o5 cents an
hour for yard helpers, S. day for
switch tenders, o5 cents an hour for
switchmen helpers, and. time and a
half for overtime, Sundays and legal
holidays. At present the wage scale
for switchmen in Chicago is o6ss
cents on hour, and helpers receive
63 cents.
Will Lay Of Men.
Firty thousand stock yards EN-.
ployes will be thrown out of work
tonight as result of the strike
of switchmen in the Chicago rail-
road yards, the packers announced
this morning. Five thousand we're
laid off when they reported for work
today and the others will follow as
soon as the small receipts of ami
mails on hand are taken care of.
Only $500 cattle. 5000 hogs and
500 sheep reached the stock yards
today. as compared to receipts Of
10000 hogs alone year ago.
Fear Possible Riots.
One hundred city policemen re-
mained on duty in the railroad yards
this morning, while all patrolmen in
the city were held in reserve. There
has been no trouble so far. In event
of serious rioting, Chief Of Police
Garrity said, there are not enough
policemen available to maintain Or
der, and it may be necessary to cali
OH state troops to guard the rail-
road yards.
Fearing possible riots, John 7.
Garrity, chief OF police, early TODAY
placed the entire police force on re-
serve. Five hundred policemen pa
trolled the switch yards last night,
lie said,
Mr.. Garrity said the situation was
serious and added that ''it may be
necessary to call out the militia and
declare military control in the rail
road yards"