Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-04-07
ENGINEERS AND
FlREMEN VOTE
TO JOIN STRIKE
Vote is Taken in Defiance Of
Orders From Union That.
It is Illegal.
Freight Traffic in Chicago
Will be at Standstill
Very Soon. "

Chicago, April 7.-Representatlves
Of $500 members Of the Brotherhood
men employed in the Chicago switch
ing district today had defied their
union officials and voted TO join the
unauthorized switchmen's strike
called nearly. a week ago.
Freight traffic through the expan-
sive Chicago district already was re-
stricted seriously and strike leaders
that It the force of strikers was aug
'nented such traffic would be brought
virtually, to standstill.
The vote of the engineers and fire
men came in the face of predictions
Of grand officers of the Brotherhood
oc Railway TraAnmen and the switch :
mems union of North America, with
affiliated, that by Saturday the strike
would be broken by loyal union men
rushed here from other cities.
Called "Scabs."
The engineers and firemen declared
they would not work with 'scabs"
HIS they termed the loyal union men,
and also demanded an increased
wage. Engineers are paid 1915 q day
und they demanded $1.50 an hour;
the firemen, paid from $4.16 to 1928
day, demanded 81 an hour.
,erfcred with, the strikers, said. Rail
road officials said. however. that such
araftic was certain to suffer in the
event work in the yards was restrict
ssGh further.
Meanwhile it was reported supplies
of certain foods and fuel were be-
ginning to run low In Chicago, and
thrown out of work at the stockyards
bN the stoppage of receipts Of cattle.
It was stated that unless receipts OF
livestock was resumed shortly an.
proMmatcly 50,000 men would M be
! sss,.s:s. iells; The pens ct tha fsaa|k s; ;
day. . 80
win Forfeit Cards. .
The switchmen continued their
strike under an ultimatunn from the
brotherhood of Railways Trainm en-
that they will forfeit their union
memberships unless they return to
work by tomorrow night. They also
would lose their seniority standings
with the railroads. The! brother
brotherhood officials, embracing 20
chairmen of general committees OF
affected railroads and three vice pres
idents. " +
The ultimatum sets forth that the
walllout had it's origin in the person
III grievance of John Grunau. leader
of the insurgents against the Chi
road. the first common carrier af-
fccted &
w. G. Lee, president of the broth
rrhood. issued a statement at Cleve-
land yesterday characterizins the
Etrikcrs as "renegades' and sanction
ing any measure found necessary BY
union regulars" to restore norma
conditions. % =.
The strikers claimed early today
that $1,000 men already were out ir
The district and that by night 25,00l
would be on strike. Railroad. officials
while not denying the seriousness Of
the situation, said about $500 switch.
men and yardmen were out.
Has No Notice.
Cleveland. Ohio. April w. s.
Carter, president Of the brotherhood
Of Locomotive Firemen and Engine
men. had received no official report
early today Of members of his or
ganization Joining the strike of switch
men in Chicago.
$50 far, as this organization is con.
cerncd the Chicago strike is illegal and
will be treated as SUCH"
Warren S. Stone, president of the
brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers
issued the following statement regard.
ing the Chicago switchmen's strike:
THE strike of Chicago switchmer
Is illegal and will be SO considered by
the engineers brotherhood. This or.
eanization has two grand officers ir
Chicago now and has convened all
general chairmen on all roads enter.
Ing Chicago to meet there today with
Instructions to notify all members OF
our organization to continue at work
and carry out all contracts"
l.. - F.. i .