New-York tribune., 1920-04-13
Strikers Gaining
East of Cleveland
Crisis Past in Chicago and
Large Numbers of the
Rebel Uniosaists Return,

CHICAGO, April 12-Whiia the un-
authorized strike of railroad EMPLOYEES
which started in Chicago two weeks
ago to-day appeared gradually to be
waning in the Middle West and Far
West, the situation in the territory
east of Cleveland took on a more ser
Gus aspect.
AS the rebel unionists gained re.
cruits in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsy-
vania, there was Il general stoppage of
freight and passenger traffic and the
closing of many Industries dependent
on the railroads for supplies.
Late tonight the Pennsylvania Rail-
road admitted the situation was grow
ing worse. 1t was estimated by the
company that IN the Philadelphia dis
trlct @ alone $500 men are on, strike.
OF this number 2.l92 are shopmen
There are 5000 shopmen in the phila-
delphoa division, Of the shopmen on
strike 523 are engine house men and
2G out of 33 electric linemen have quit.
Up to nine o'clock tonight 105 of
the 700 trains originating, passing
through or terminating in Philadelphia
were cancelled.
The situation in the Chicago yards
showed marked improvement, and re-
ports from other large railroad centers
in the Middle West indicated that the
crisis of the strike was past and that
strikers were returning TO work in con-
siderable numbers. Officers Of railroad
brothershoods are confident that the
breaking up Of the walk-out in the Chi
cago territory will be followed by a gem
cral resumption of work in other areas
A pronouncemcnt of the governments
course of action is expected to be made
at Washington tomorrow by Attorney
General Palmer. Investigators of the
Department of Justice were completing
an inquiry into all angles of the situa-
ton, Mr.. Palmer said.
The Iardmcn's Association Of Co.
lumbus, Ohio, late to-day voted to call
out all switching crews employed in
the city. Strike leaders said that the
move would prevent passenger trains
on SIX roads from leaving the city
Railroad officials announced that "white
collar employees would take the
places Of the strikers. The situation
in the Ohio centers is far from en-
couraging to the road executives
In Cleveland all freight terminals
are tied up. An April snowstorm has
added to the troubles of Toledo, where
the food supply has been diminished
W ieSS IMAM halt OF normal
Department Of Justice officials in the
Central States are watching the food
situation closely to see that there is
no attempt to engineer a huge Corner"
Car shortage is hamperng the coal
and coke operators in the Connelsvillc
region. BY tomorrow, some operators
assert, work in the district will be at
standstill. The Mononrahela division
or the Pennsylvania system was forced
to suspend operations. The employees
did not strike, but it was impossible
TO move cars, as both outlets were
congested
The Pennsylvania officials estimated
the number of men out between Phila-
delphia and st. Louis at $500 4
United States Attorney Clyne to-
night denied stories published here
mat he had delivered an ultimatum to
the striking railroad workers, on be-
half of the government
he figures complied at his office. he
added, show conditions here are i'm
proving.
Passenger service was reported virtu
ally normal at st. Louis and the strike
was said to be on the wane. While
fIrelght traffic was still at . standstill, /
inc inc city has enough food supplies on
hand TO last three weeks.
Sale of through tickets except on one
tram to points north of Washington
was discontinued at Atlanta by the |
south Railway, while the Seaboarl
AZ Line discontinued selling tickets to
all points north of Richmond.
Traffic through the Washington gate
way to the SoutlI the only entrance
east of Cincinneti, was threatened when
about 100 OF the 800 men employed in
the Potomac yards failed to appear, for
work to-day.
Reports from Southern rail centcrs
lrdicatcd gradually increasing effects
OF the strike. New Orleans, Roanoke |
and Portsmouth, Va, all announced ac- /
cessions for the strikers. Only two !
Pa p, assengcr train Were operated from |
Richmond to Washington.
Striking yardnen in Buffalo were told |
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