The Washington times., 1922-07-07
BLAZE IN
ILL YARDS
THREATENS:
VAST Loss
Rail Official Declares Oil
Was Poured Over
Freight Car.
BY International News Service,

by Internat1Onhi NeWb SERVICE
CHICAGO, July IA plot to
burn hundreds of freight cars Of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
in the Chicago manufacturing dis
trict was charged today by J. C.
Molter, chief special agent for
the road, after flames had partly
wrecked one of a string of cars
standing on a siding. Prompt
arrival of the firemen prevented
a spread of the fire.
Its the work of strikers or
sympathizers," Molter said. IF the
fire had not been promptly checked,
IL would have spread to hundreds
Of cars and the loss would have
been appalling"
Fire Capt. Hubert Classen told
the police he found evidence Of oil
having been poured over rubbish
in the car.
A tense situation exists in Chicago
and several other sections Of Illinois
today as a result of disturbances
growing out Of the strike OF rail-
way shopmen. Seven companies of
the Illinois national guard are mo-
bilized in downstate armories, ready
for strike duty.
Uneasy Mt Decatur.
The most serious situation, appar-
emily, has developed at Decatur,
where an outbreak is reported to be
threatened. Two guards at the
Wabash railroad shops at Decatur
were beaten yesterday and more
trouble is feared as a result OF the
attempts of the Wabash shops to
operate with strikebreakers.
The order for mobilization Of State
troops, according to Gen. Carlos
Black, the adjutant general, was iss-
ued as a precautionary measure af-
ter reports Of the Decatur situation
had been received. The troops have
been ordered to mobilize at their
armories and be ready for instant
service II needed.
Cavalry Mobilized.
Cavalry troops at Springfield and
Urbana, and infantry companies at
Decatur, Danville. Champagne, and
Dolovan and the headquarters COM
pany at Decatur have been ordered
modified.
The trouble at Decatur, according
to reports here, arose when two shop
guards attempted to prevent strikers
from talking with strikebreakers
whom they were seeking to dissuade
from working. A., ID. Wilson and II.
l.. Cook, the guards, were beaten
but were not seriously hurt.
Extra, police details were on guard
in Chicago today as the result of at
tempts of a mob Of $500 striking
shopmen, led by more than thirty
women. to destroy the homes Of two
Illinois Central railway employees who
had refused to join in the strike.
Mob Fires Dwelling.
At the home Of Theodore Haas, an
inspector in the safety appliance divi-
sion. every window in the house was
broken by missiles hurled by the
mob, and an attempt to set fire to
the dwelling was made.
From the Haas home the strikers
went to the residence of John Gabel.
There Mrs, Gabel, warned Of their
approach, met them with leyeied re-
volver and promised to shoot the
first person who threw a stone. She
held the mob at bay for twenty min
utes until the police arrived.
Responsibility for continuation OF
the strike of. the 100000 railroad
men, and resultant consequences,
was placed directly UP to the United
States Railway Labor Board and
railway executives today by b, NJ.
Jewell, head OF the strikers, in a
statement made to International
News Service.
The strikers, through thei- leaders,
Jewell pointed out, have signified
their willingness to meet in confer
ence with authorized representatives
with a view of settling the strike.
These peace overtures, the strike
leader asserted, have been ignored
both by the railway executives and
the Labor Board.
Much has been and can be said"
declared Jewell, regarding the
necessity for q speedy settlement OF
the shopmen's controversies AID
their return TO work.
No Proposals Made. ...s
LET Il be remembered now and
for oil time that Notwithstanding the
fact that we have been and are now
willing to meet anyone authorized TO
advance . proposal or settlement,