The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-04-13
BIG -FOUR DENIES
COMPLETELY IN
OUTLAW STRIKE
Issues Statement Declar.
ing Very Existence of
Organizations at Stake,
and Appeals for Co.
operation.
nv Universal Service. J

New York, April 12.-The first con-
ference between chiefs Of the Brother
hoods and representatives of the rail-
roads to bring about co operation in
opposing the OUTLAW" strikers took
place this evening in the Grand Cen
trail terminal. 1t followed the efforts
OF the brotherhood leaders to combat
strike propag anda in the Jersey City
! terminals that constitute the core OF
the trouble IN the east,
After the conference. John G, wal
Der. secretary of the bureau of infor-
nation OF the. Eastern railroads. ex-
pressed the opinion that the situation
had not been changed during the day
, He said that whatever increase there
had been in the mum Der of strikers had
been offset by the number of men who
returned to work. He said that dis
quieting feature was the number Of
Nquieting feature was the number OF
who have been disaffected by radical
propaga nda-
Emphatic denial that the big four
had been secretly backing the out
| law" strike was contained in replies
received today by w w. Atterbury.
vice president and general. manager OF
to telegram he sent to each Of the
four brotherhood chiefs yesterday.
Mr.. Atterbury tonight gave out at
his office here the text of his mes
sage sent from Philadelphia and the
replies thereto. His telegram read:
Il find that the strongest PROPOSE
ton that is infiuen cling our men.
particularly the young men. is the
word that is being passed around that
this movement has the support of
you gentlemen and the organizations
you represent but that in view of
the fear of an injunction against you
and your organizations. the strike is
being engineered by word of mouth
and that no regular orders have been
iss~ed or are to be issued"
BROTHERHOOD REPLIE.
The replies Of the brotherhood
heads follow In part.
Warren s. Stone, chief engineer OF
the Brotherhood OF Locomotive En-
gfneers, sent fro mCleveland Ohio:
There is no truth in the report
that the present strike movement has
our support Everything possible is
being done to have our members re-
main AT work and carry out their
contracts. There are no secret in
strnctions to the country being issued.
Any such statements being circulated
around among the men are absolute
ly untrue, In order that there may
be no mistake about the matter. /
am issuing a circular Letter to all divi-
sions.''
W. s. Carter. president of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive fremen
and enginemen; sent from Cleveland
Ohio:
The present strike of men en-
gagged in switching service originated
in Chicago. 1t is new organiza.
ton which has for its purpose the
destruction OF the Brotherhood of
Trainmen and the Switchmen's Union
The inceptive of the strike had moth
ing to do with the wage question, but
was a demand for the reinstatement
of the leader ofthis opposition or
ganization.s After the strike was in
stituted for this purpose, leaders OF
the new organization then injected the
wage question for the sole purpose
of deceiving the yardman throughout
the United States and promoted the
one big union idea. There can be NJ
settlement of the pending wage ques-
ton while this Illegal action con-
tinues."
l. e. Sheppard, president OF the
Order of Railroad Conductors, sent
from Cedar Rapids:
all SenulnS out WOrQ In no I'M
certain terms. stating that our exist
ence is at stake, and urging our men,
bers to work in the yards II neces-
sary."
c. E.. Masser. general chairman OF
the Brotherhood Of Railroad Train
men. sent from New York to Mr.. At
terbury, and also sent to the chair
men of all locals and members OF his
organizations:
! I'm these moments Of stress may
NOT charge you with your responsible
ity to your government. to your or
ganization and to the company by
which yon are employed? No doubt
you will be told that this is suhrosA
strike which ii is claimed the organi-
zation has sanctioned in all sincerity
desire to say to you on my word of
honor. that the present strike is un-
authorized, that the brotherhood will
not in any way lend its support to the
strikers. hut, rather. lend its support
in an endeavor to maintain regularity
of service"
Assurances OF support in the ef-
fert TO break the strike were received
tonight by railroad OF officials from
the military engineering committee
OF New York. Men are to be recruit
ed to aid in operating the trains and
the yard switching engines. from
among students of technical schools.
colleges and wherever intelligent vol
unteers can be secured.