The New York herald., 1922-07-09

rossession OF the shops last night. firing
many shots and afterward advancing
<t the roads passenger station, where
oilers and inspectors were driven from
their work. and one foreman was badly
beaten. according to Mr. Bierd.
I'VE have the men TO work these
shops" Mr.. Bierd said But because
kac-A oficials appealed to us not TO send
men and promised us protection we have
asreed not to send any new men there
right away. We viii not wait longer
uan Monday morning next however,
Meanwhile passenger traffic, trans
portation of perishahle freight. mails
Ina express mist necessarily cease IN
ana out of Bloomington.
County Fails to Aid.
NOur principal and largest shop plants
and terminal are at Bloomington" con-
tinued Mr.. Pierd "Since the strike was
called week ago the county authorities,
With the assistance of the Mayor and
police. have from day TO day promised
protection. but each day has passed with
3ut II. Meanwhile the officials and fore
rnen are wearing out having reached the
limit of human endurance. Traffic has
moved promptly thus far. but we realize
we cannot go on permanently In this
manner.
'The Sheriff did succeed in swearing
in about one hundred deputies. but when
asked to carry out their duties the
deputies practically declined to serve.
My own belief based upon many past
experiences, is that one hundred depu-
ties. vested with the power OF the law,
gould control the situation IL they were
nrm and resolute men. The Sheriff on
Thursday notified the Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor he was unable to control the sit
uatton. fearing rioting and possible loss
of life. AMI asked the Governor to send
three companies OF State militia.
There has been further delay at this
point. When i called on Gov. Small !
was advised he was leaving the State
and called on the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Lieutenant-Governor had no au-
thority to act.
Meanwhile. last night. the strikers at
Bloomington. realizing there was no
police authority there. became embol-
dened and mob OF between two and
three hundred men raided the shop plant
and drove off every employee they could
find by threatening the mems lives.
When the mob reached the shop build
ings twenty-five to fifty shots were
fired.
II do not believe the shots were aimed
to KILL but think they were for the
sole purpose of intimidating the en-
ployees engaged in necessary work.
These employees ran to cover and the
mob continued it's search running every
employee from the shop under threat of
injuries If they remained.
with no one to hold the mob in
check they were practically in possession
until 2 o'clock this morning.
THE men returned to the shops this
morning, threatening and intimidating
our regular foremen and officers so that
= I~~-~ ~ 49,
Moves Toward Peace.
Efforts looking to an immediate
settlement of the strike apparently stood
stiIl to-day. Following the statement
yesterday Of Chairman Hooper of the
labor board that the board had no
power to mediate the strike so long as
the men remained away from work, Mr..
Jewell reiterated his assertions that the
first move toward peace must come from
the roads or the board.
One bright ray appeared through the
threatening strike clouds tonight when
d. w. Helt. president of the Brotherhood
of Railroad Sgnalmen, announced he
would withhold strike orders to $4,000
signalmen. pending the preparation and
submission of a program to the United
States Railroad Labor Board.
Mr. Helt's announcement was made
following an all-day conference with
w. l.. McMenimen, labor member of
the board. This marked the second time
within a week that members of the
board have interviewed to stop an addi-
ton to the strikers ranks. walkolt
of 1000 maintenance of way men hav-
ing been postponed in this manner a
few days ago.
While neither the board nor Mr. Helt
Indicated the proposed program on
which the signalmen would call off
their strike, II was generally believed
that 1t would be modelled after the
agreement reached with maintenance
of way officials.
with 3. M. Jewell. head of the shor
crafts. and the Labor Board each stand
ing firm in the attitude that peace over
lures must come from the other. the rail-
roads tonight were girding for the Sec
ond week Of the struggle, determined tc
maintain uninterrupted transportation
and thus break the strike.
Many roads were preparing to oper
their shops the first Of the week wher
the ultimatum to strikers to return OF
lose their seniority rights expires.
Labor board members said tonight
that they expected z. II. Fitzgerald
president Of the railway and steamship
clerks, freight handlers, express and
station employees, to come here Monday
to enter into negotiations with board
members regarding the clerks strike.
Confidence was expressed that an
agreement would be reached by which
the strike of clerks would be postponed
or called off.
Reports that clerks on the New York
Central lines had been authorized tc
walk out had not ben received by the
labor board tonight and board mem
bers said vice-President Sylvester of the
clerks had denied any knowledge of it.
u. 3. Marshnls I'm Charge.
SLATER, Mo, July 8 (Associated Press)