Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-03-06
Employees of Chicago I'D
Other Offices Quit :.
Work. :
NOT SANCTIONF
BY BROTHERHOOD
Walkout Ordered Without lnstruo-
tions From International Union
Government Officials Warn Strik-
ers They Arc Violating Federal
Law in Quittins--Wases Admit
tedIy Low.
By Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
Chicago. March 6.--Express work.
ers in downtown railroad stations.
variously estimated from $500 to
1900, walked out at o'clock TINS
morning. All deliveries OF express
have stopped, it was announced at
the office Of the American Express
Company.
Other employees. including wagon
men. reported for work this morning.
but the strikers claim the wagon
men will walk out Monday morning.
Robert E. Shepherd. who called the
strike yesterday after being deposed
as a grand lodge officer of the Order
Of Railway Clerks by j. r. Abbott.
vice grand president, Is leading an
outlaw organization. other express
unions declared today. A. Bollinger.
grand president Of the Order OF Rail-
way Expressmen. has issued a warn
ing to his men not to strike and
branded the Shepherd walkout "a di-
rect violation Of the transportation
act passed recently by congress.
Men Ordered to Work.
The American Railway Express
Company posted similar notices also
at all offices.
Mr.. Bollingers order 70 his men,
orc Of the three rival crafts in which
employees are listed, reads:
ION Feb. % On order was signed
between the American Railway Ex-
press Company and tho Order Of
Railway Expressmen covering work.
ing conditions. While this act was
not entirely satisfactory TO labor, yet
with possibly ono or two exceptions
we, have agreed to give It a trial.
Therefore any strike at this time
would be q violation Of contract and
could not be sanctioned by rhfs or
Gapization."
5 District Attorney Clyne began an
investigation today to determine
whether the strike Is violation Of
the new transportation law. II the
evidence warrants. he indicated that
the first test OF the new law will be
made here. ....
Strike Not Sanctioned.
The strike was called without san.
ction Of the international union. The
men demand salary increase of
S35 a month. S. W. Dixon. assistant
to Vice President Emory A. Stead
man. Of the express company. declar-
ed company officials never received
official notice of the strike.
The strike was called by Robert
e. Shepherd, chairman Of the Chica-
go and Western Lake Express .divi-
sion Of the Brotherhood of Railway
clerks. who declared ut Is not a mat
ter OF malice or revenge but It is
matter Of common Justice to the men
and women engaged In their industry.
Says Wages Are Low.
Shepherd said some Of the supply
clerks affected by the strike were
paid salaries as low as $50 month,
tanttors received 800, and other
clerks, collectors. sorters. truckers.
revisors and foremen received from
$50 to $125 a month. IN addition all
employees received bonus of IS
month for night work and time and
a half for overtime over eight hours.
He added. however. "our men are
too tired to work overtime" Dixon
denied regular employees received
only $50 a month. but said some ee-
ginners were paid that salary.
Employees simply could not live
on the wages paid them" Shepherd
said and added. we have been pat
lent and have waited since last
August. pursuant to President VIII
sons communication asking that
employees In the railroad and express
business give the government
chance to reduce the cost OF living.
but since that time no relief what
ever has been given"
Grover p. Simpson. general mana
ger Of the EXPRESS company had
posted on the bulletin boards at the
various stations notice which said
This is to notify all concerned
that any strike will be Illegal and
contrary TO the instruction to their
own organization and. furthermor,i
It should be known to all employees
that any such strike will be con-
trary to tho laws Of tho United stat
ee. particularly tho recently enacted
act"