The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-09


western towns reported switchmen
out with sympathetic walkouts by
switch engineers and firement in many
places.
Denounce 'sRump'' Unions.
Railroad brotherhood officials who
have denounced the new trump"
unions and appealed to loyal union
men to assist in breaking the strikes.
declare the walkout in the Chicago
despite the spread of the 'strike
fever" to other cities, insisted the
movement merely was running its na-
tural course. They predicted the Chi
cago strike would be broken within
48 hours and said with its abatement
try would end.
Chairmen of the brotherhoods an
nounced there had been an improve
ment in the Chicago district and that
the men were slowly returning to
work. They asserted that freight
traffic was SO per cent normal.
On the other hand leaders of the
revolving yardmen's union declared
the strike was growing and that the
men would continue 70 remain out of
the parent unions
Mines Are Closing Down.
Among cities reporting strikes were,
Detroit Salt Lake City, Omaha, Sagi-
nav, Mlcn.i Los AnBeleS' Adnsds lily
East st. Louis, San Francisco, Deca-
tur, Ill. New Orleans, Joliet, Ill;
Louisville and Ogden, Utah.
Thousands of freight cars. many
containing food for cities where food
difficulties are threatened if the strike
lasts three or four days more, stood
idle on railroad tracks today. Coal
mines in Illinois and Indiana today
considered the possibility of being
forced to shut down because of lack of
coal cars. In southern Illinois some
mines were already closed. Ninety
four mines in Indiana closed yester-
day. These mines have a total daily
production of close to 1O0,0 00 tons.
i In answer to appeals for loyal union
men to come to their aid, they had
1000 union "strikebreakeFs' on the
job here today These were aug
mented by other railroad employees.
Reports Are Conflicting.
Reports on the number of men out
thruout the country conflicted. The
strikers estimates placed the total
figure at more than $4,000. Heber-
ling claimed less than 5000 were out.
Reports that mediation by the gov
eminent was sought were denied by
regular union officials. The presence
here today of G. w w. Hangar, of
ton, inspired belief that he would
seek to mediate the trouble. Han
gar confirmed the brotherhood Of
ficials statement, saying he was here
merely to investigate.
The middlewest's industries were
practically tied up today. Embargoes
had been laid today by all railroads
running into Chicago on shipment OF
n-essentials. Food and coal were
given the right of way over every
thing. Passenger train service was
still intact today, said railroad Off
0ia1G FREIGHT sarUiRn had haQn cut
in two.
Packing Plants to Shut Down.
Kansas City, Mo, April 9.-Shut-
downs by packing plants and manu-
featuring concerns here are threatened
if switchmen and firemen in the local
railroad yards do not return to work
coon. Between 500 and 1000 persons
connected with these concerns were
thrown out of work yesterday.
About 10 per cent of the switchmen
here were still on strike early today
along with forty switch engine. fire.
men.
st. Louis Clerks Into Yards.
st. Louis, April 9.-Railroad Off
Gals and clerks from terminal and
railroad offices were working as
switchmen here today in an effort to
! move passenger trains and perishable
freight.
0tElke OF SWlICnm6n continued tsa
grow. The majority of another shift
failed to report for work this morn
ing. Railroad and terminal officials
reported only a small percentage of
the 5000 yard employees at work and
a majority of yard firemen and en-
gineers were thrown out of work by
the switchmen's walkout.
1000 Walk Out in n. Y.
New York. April 9.-Switchmen and
sey and New York today Joined
strikers on marine equipment of the
railroads.
Fear for the city's food supply was
expressed when workers in milk sta
lions and freight terminals handling
much of the food for New York
walked out.
The strike which began with "out-
law" organizations of railroad workers
in Chicago over a week ago. first APP
peared here when several hundred
switchmen and yardmen in the Jersey
City freight yards quit. The strike
gained it's first foothold in New York
early today, when switchmen in the
New York Central ,-ards and milk sta
lions walked out.
1t was estimated that 1000 yardmen
were out in addition to the $500 strik-
ing railroad marine workers. Rail-
road officials said the yardmen made
no demands and they know no reason
for the strike.
ROSEDALE STRIKE CALLED OFF