South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-02
BY JOHN L. SPIVAK.
i. y. :. stan Correspondents.

AAopEFlgnts w. bT J. - -
EsCANABA Mich. Aug. 1.-On
" Madison and Canal sts in Chi
easo. are the creates: ceuters where
strike breakers are recruited for the
railroads OF the Middle-West Labor
agencies line the streets and foaters
and transients clutter around the en-
tlcing signs advertising dining car
board. mice new clean bed" and
'life time job If YOU want IT,"
There IS no difficulty IN becoming
a strike breaker The writer signed
Up on three railroads On less than
half an hour; the Baltimore and
Ohio. the Biz Four. and the Chicago
and North Western. Upon leaving
the 3. and o. office a man from
labor agency literally bounced upon
him
signing up Northwestern ship
ping right away Good wages. good
meals. clean beds and all the protec-
ton you want"
The writer signed, was given a
y card and sent 90 the Northwestern
station. where. on the ground floor.
high officials Of the read were en-
gagged in hiring strike breakers.
One Is asked a few perfunctory
questions. name. address. age trade.
One signs for almost anything No
proof as TO cspability is asked. and
the physical examination every rail-
road demands is waived for 30
days"
Upon being hired the strike break
or Is genially told 20 "sit down and
take Il easy Pay sterts right now.
II you're hungry. go in and eat
Strike breakers arc grouped in
numbers ranging from half a dozen
10 a hundred. but Il is rare that ship
ments OF more than 80 are made II
a strike breaker has a preference 20
go 10 some particular place. his
preference is most generally granted.
When a large group. so Is considered
large. IS shipped. they are placed in
a special car attached 10 the train,
with guards at each end OF the car,
which. in many instances IS locked
until the destination is reached.
As the train on which the writer
was shipped neared the Escanaba
yards. the guard asked him TO move
away from the window as a precau-
tionary measure.
Pickets were visible around the
yard fences. but no move was made
by them. The train was switched
straight into the yards.
Furnish De luxe Service.
IN alighting, Supt Helmer Of the
large Escanaba yards. met the strike
\ breakers. Assurances that every
1 thing would be done for the strike
breakers comfort was given. IF
there is anything here you don't like.
Just let me know and Wen fix It." he
said But don't go out OF the yards
Everything is peaceful here but the
pickets are outside. They won't
bother you. but there is no need even
OF giving them a chance"
Clean linen. bed sheets. blankets,
and overalls 10 those who need them
were given by the road. The hunks.
and dining room are large, clean. and
airy
over the whole yards hung an
omlnous silence. Fsw men were
seen. Occasionally a freight train
wheezed past. A small group of
maintenance of way men. whose
strike order is pending looked the
strike breakers over, silently from a
distance.
Freight cars filled with choice
foods stand IN the yards near the
newly built dining camp. and really
appetizing meals are set out. roast
chicken. fruits. vegetables. zee cream.
anything. in fact THAI the faded
palates of the strike-I-eake might
wish for. When the men get to-
Eether during meals "a after work
there is a strained air; they talk
little. the strike is seldom mentioned.
and when it is only with a strained
popularity They do not appear 70
be very happy.
Deserted Air i'm Yards.
Specl3l guards patrol in and
around the Yards. but no one is mo-
Tested. It's a waiting fight. and
= though in large centers like Chicago
J and St Louis trouble OCCASIONALLY
breaks out. the peace Of Escanaba is
typical OF most road shops through
out the country.
A desoIate. deserted air hangs over
the yards Scarcely anything hap
pens. A hot sun blazes upon the
whitewashed walls Of the machine
shops. but the Wheels are still, dust
.cIines 10 the oily belts-an unearthly
silence broken mainly by the buzzing
flies. In the round houses. huge
towering engines. the driving power
for the nations arteries stand line
on line. uumovinE rusting.
What life there is moves in the
house. Around the engines are vir
tuaIly the entire dependable strike
breaking force. high road officials
wholly unaccustomed 10 the work
who make strenuous efforts 20 keeT
The essential engines from falling in
10 irreparable disuse. With them q