Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-14
STRIKE HITS PACIFIC
COAST; CHICAGO
MEN RETURNING
Thousands of Workers Thrown
Out of Work in West as Fac
tories Close.
A.F L. ENDORSES WILL SONS
MEN FOR LABOR BOARD
By Associated Press 70 Every Evening


Chicago, April I4.--Improvement Of
freight traffic conditions in the Central
West continued today with insurgent rail-
road men returning 10 work at several
points, but the industrial situation in
Ohio and Michigan reached crisis as a
result Of stoppage Of fuel supplies, and
in the far west where a dozen passenger
trains we're reported stalled in Southern
California, the situation became in
creasingly serious.
Railroads in the Chicago area coneen-
trated every effort on moving freight, and
officials said 80 per cent Of the switch
engines IN the district were operating. The
roads announced further influx Of loyal
switehmen from other cities.
Maior-GeneraI Wood was Fastening 20
Chicago from Boston where he closed his
political speaking tour last night 70 re-
sumo command Of the central department
OF the army because of the strike situation.
WILSON BOARD ENDORSED.
The American Federation Of Labor,
through its railway department. whfeh
represents 100000 members in eight
railroad crafts, placed It's stamp of dis
approval on the unauthorized strike and
urged all members OF affiliated oryaulza-
tIons 20 refuse 70 obey the waikout
Meetings at Kansas City last night, the
biennial convention OF the organizations.
indorsed President Wilson's appointments
10 the board and declared its belief that
labor could confidently expect justice
through the law creating the board.
In Detroit 100, 600 factory workers were
reported idle and between 10000 and
so. 900 industrial workers IN other parts
.E t-ol L..,a.1
with predictions that more men would be
jobless by nightfall The strike situation
in Michigan was reported virtually un-
changed.
THOUSANDS IDLE IN OHIO.
The industrial situation IN Ohio be-
came more ominous today with more than
100000 men out Of work in Columbus
and virtually every coal mine in the state
closed growing scarcity Of food sup
plies wss reported IN many cities. \
mail train was reported TO have been
abandoned at Youngstown and the mail
returned to the postofiice. Hope Of end
ing the switchmen's 5 strike AZ Columbus
faded when road men voted not 70 act as
strfkebreakers
Coal on tracks at Toledo was being
confScated under s Federal court order 10
maintain operation Of street cars and
heating and lighting plants. The court
order instructed that 10 cars be eonhScateG
daily. There was no weakening Of the
strikers forces IN Toledo and several
large industrial plants announced they
would be forced TO close unless fuel was
Forthcoming.
MEN co BACK N CLEVELAND.
Several roads reported additional men
81 work at Cleveland. with some freight
moving but the situation apparently re-
manned virtually unchanged. Warnings
to travellers against attempting long trips
east, west or south because OF possibility
Of the strike spreading to passenger ser
wee were issued by the railroads.
Serious interference with passenger
traffic extending TO overland trains Was
reported to the Santa Fe route in Southern
California. Reports from Northern Pa
cific cities showed continued improve
ment. however.
One Of the difficulties that the railroads
are up against IS the aversion Of the
trainmen TO do anything but what they
are regularly assigned TO do. In other
words, they do not want TO do the work
Of those who have quit. Once this Is over
come, the railroad officials say that they
viii tooh ioI 10 tuitiei seilS1S tiolp4e.
Prompt arrival and departure Of trains
on the various roads was an indication,
officials said. OF the fact that conditions
are getting rapidly back 70 normal. De
lays were due TO normal causes and not
to any shortage OF crews.
Another indication is the fact that
ticket offices are selling Pullman seats TO
New York and also as far west as Pitts
burg.
The situation at the nations capital
was greatly improved this morning il IS
said.