Indianapolis Times, Volume 32, Number 289, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 April 1920 — Page 1

THE WEATHER Tonight, clearing skies and colder. Tuesday, fair.

‘vol. xxxn.

SAFE BLOWERS IN $2,000 HAUL AT GAS STATION Nitroglycerine Used to Blast *Strong Box’ in Meridian Street Office. EXPERTS* WORK SEEN Cracksmen got away with more than $2,000 when they blew open the safe in the office of the Western Oil Refining Company filling statin iw Meridian and Twenty-fifth fotre4ts, early today. used nitroglycerin. The heavy iron aoor was shattered and a Jimmy was used to get Into the compartments. Deteectlves claim the robbery was the work of professionals. So carefully was the safe covered and protected when the explosive was touched off tbut little outside of the safe was marred In the office. The money represented the Saturday and Sunday sales. Myer Penlsh, 2422 North Illinois street, day cashier, discovered the robbery when he opened the office at 6 o'elocs this morning. OrTICE LOCKED VP BEFORE MIDNIGHT. 8. H. Carver, night cashier, closed the office at 11 o'clock Sunday night. Tb? safe Is a little more than three feet high and the "yeggs" used vet coats, grain sacks and wo canvas horse rain covers to smother the explosion. Two holes were drilled through the outer covering of the safe door, one directly above the handle used for turning the tumblers and the other about three Inches to the right of that hole. The force of the blast rlpeil a crack almost across the outside steel covering of the door and broke and crumbled the concrete filling of the safe door. A key had been left in one money drawer and the force of the explosion bent It over flat. The combination knob was blown into the sleeve of a heavy corduroy coat. MEAGER CLEW IS OVERCOATS. The other coat was an overcoat and both of these are believed by the police to have been stolen from a stable or garage, as they are of the type worn by men who drive teams or trucks. Sergts. Winkler and Stevens and a squad of police who Investigated found that two of the windows of the building had been left unlocked and that the bur- j Uglars had entered through one of these. Trimble, manager of the company, said the windows had. without question, been left unlocked accidently. Bert Perrott, police Bertillon expert. Is said to have obtained some good impreesions from fingerprints off the walls of the safe. The burglars sorted out the checks and threw them on the floor, taking only cash. So completely did the wet clothing, sacks and canvas deaden the explosion j that a table two and a half feet in front i of the safe door was not even marred. It is believed the burglars used electric current to eet off the explosive, as some wire was found on the table. Soap used to HU the cracks around the door and to make the cup to pour the explosive was found wrapped in a ‘Continued on Page Ten.) $78,000,000 LOST ON WAR CAMPS Probe Committee Reports Fraud and Waste, Urging Action. April 12.--Criminal prosecutions by the department of Justice and suits to recover $78,000,000 alleged to represent government losses . through fraud, waste and extravagance Its the cost plus system of contracts for building the sixteen national army cantonments, were demanded today In a report to the house by a subcommittee in camps and cantonments. The report, the resnlt of nearly a year's Investigation, recommends an amendment to the constitution making profiteering In war time treason and legislation to prohibit ill coat plus contracts. Representative McKenzie, Illinois, and Representative McCuilouch, Ohio, repub- j lican, signed the report, while Represen- ; tatlve Doremus, Michigan, In a minority report, declared there was found very little evidence of fraud and had the cost plus system not been adopted ‘‘the Germans would have been In Paris before j our soldiers reached the battle lines." Os all camps and-hospitals built during the war at a cost of approximately ft t>nn 000.000. the majority report estimates that the alleged loss to the government from fraud and extravagance dut to the cost plus system ranged from 30 to DO per cent. The committee audited the contracts of j the sixteen national army camps and claims that the loss to the government i was $78,000,000 out of a total of | $206,000,000. Contractors have gone over the ac- , counts and determined these figures, which should be recovered for the treasury. the report says. Responsibility for the losses Is placed ' on the secretary of 'war, who is said by the majority of the subcommittee to have approved the contracts both as head of the war department and the council of national defense. The majority report giTes scores of inIjtanoee of alleged waste in the cost plus sp%tem. and especially charges A. Bentley & Sons Company, who held the contract for Camp Sherman, Chllllcothe, 0., with receiving Illegal payments to the extent of $169,372.79. ‘•Somaiof the most glaring examples of was ay of public funds are found at Chmp Merman, and Camp Grant, 1111- i nots.” tm report claims. A table is given showing the amount the war department paid for the sixteen ' national army camps and the proper cost as determined by the committee. HURLED 50 FEET BY SPEEDING AUTO Edward Staten, 556 Birch avenue. Is In a serious condition today, suffering from Injuries sustained when an automobile i struck him. at Oliver avenue and Holly street, last night Staten was hurled fifty feet, his body striking snd knocking down Homer Guerin, 1011 Henry street. driver of the big touring car did "not stop. Mr. and Mrs. Staten, Mr. and Mrs. j Guerin and Rev. and Mrs. A. E. Kerst were on tbeir way home from church when the accident happened. Arnold Draper, 23, of 2200 Churchman •venae, a passenger on Beech Grove cat No- 301,- was seriously injured when a North Illinois street car No. 694 crashed into the rear of the Beech Grove car last midnight at Illinois and Maryland streets.

Published at Ind.anapolla, Ind.. Daily Except Sunday.

Yeggs Leave Safe a Wreck m Miiiiiiii Mi mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mm Mm %i ill II ~ 'My I URL- mmimMm - •... . \ .. --- J V - **•<*' \ mmm mtmmmiam m '**&&& > sPiiVMval Myer Penish, cashier tor Western Oil Refining Company, Twenty-fifth and Meridian streets, examining wrecked safe.

Although the safe of the Western Oil Refining Company filling station. North Meridian and Twenty-fifth streets, was shattered by nitroglyerine early today, ■windows three feet from the safe weo-e not even cracked.

Germans Kill American Fleeing Death Sentence BERLIN, April 12. —Paul DeMotte, an American newspaperman, who was alleged to have been connected with the communist movement in Germany, was shot and killed while attempting to escape from Wesel prison, according to advices today from the foreign office to the American mission.

PLEA CABLED FOR CONDEMNED YANK WASHINGTON. April 12.—The department of state has cabled the American commissioner at Berlin to investigate the sentence of death by drum-head courtmartial of Paul DeMotte, an American citlsen. DeMotte ts said to have been carrying an American passport authorizing him to do journalistic and relief work. The commissioner was instructed to seek a stay of execution pending investigation, DeMotte was accused of participating in the Ruhr valley disorders. The state department issued the following : “An Informal exchange of advices between the United States and the allies on the Ruhr valley situation has taken place and It is hoped that the status quo will be restored without serious lesions." ‘MAN BLEEDING!’ IT’S HER FATHER Conductor Points Daughter to Attempted Suicide. Bert Benson, 49, of 2140 South Meridian street, stood on the Belt railroad tracks at South Meridian street crossing about noon today and cut bis throat. A street car stopped for the crossing Just after he had committed the act. ‘‘Look at that man bleeding:" said the conductor. A young woman passenger looked and screamed—Benron waa her father. John Gregery, who lived at the same house as Benson, says Benson was discharged from the Julietta insane hospital only a few months ago. Benson is In the City hospital in a critical condition. Glaser Accused of Predicting Revolt A revolution in America was predicted by Attorney Paul P. Glaser of Gary, Ind., during the steel strike last year, accoidlng to evidence offered in federal court today by Donald E. McGibney, writer and lecturer, whose deposition was taken in preparation to a hearing to cancel Glaser’s naturalization papers which will be held in Hammond, Ind., April 27. McGibney said Glaser approved of the bolshA-ik government of Russia and sympathized with strike movements in this country. Glaser was recently found guilty of direct contempt of court by Judge A. B. Anderson and is awaiting sentence on the finding. Strike in Kansas Over Jailing Miner PITTSBURG, Kas., April 12.—A strike by Kansas coal miner* in protest against the jailing of Alee Howatt and three other “district 14” officials is on today. Out of approximately 100 mines in this district, but six were working, and those with small forces, according to re. ports to coal operators this morning.

Print Paper Passes 14 Cents a Pound; Shortage From Bad to Worse by Strike THE print paper shortage has gone suddenly from bad to worse. It was serious enough before the railroad strike tied up shipments from the mills. Now it is a question of how long the publisher can issue his newspaper on the paper it ts possible to buy near at hand at 14 to 16 cents per pound. The Times for months has set an example to all other city neyspapers in conserving print paper, by cutting out waste, limiting size of issues and printing news and feautres in compact form. During the present emergency it is necessary further to reduce consumption of paper in order to continue publishing. The Times appreciates the good- wishes and interest of its readers and the co-operation of it* advertiser* in this effort

Jmiuuta flail® kitties

Entered aa Second Class Matter. July 2i, 1114. at Postoffice, Indianapolis. Ind., under act March S. IST*.

The outer door of the safe was only slightly damaged, but the heavy inner door was wrecked by the explosion. This, police say, is the proof that professional yeggmen committed the robbery.

FIVE MEN LOOT SO. BEND BANK Masked Bandits Lock Cashier in Safety Deposit Vault. SOUTH BEND. Ind.. April 12.—Five masked men robbed the South B*nd State bank at 11 o'clock this morning and took approximately $15,000. Gus Haslinger, cashier of the bank, was locked in the safety deposit vault. NO HOUSING OPEN AT FT. HARRISON Staff Officers Doubt Success of Jewett’s Move. Staff officers at Ft. Benjamin Harrison are of the opinion that it will be impossible to comply to any great extent with the suggestion made by Mayor Jewett that certain quarters at the fort be used as homes in order to relievo the housing shortage in Indianapolis, according to a statement made from the adjutant's office today. The mayor, in a letter to Senators New and Watson, proposed that unused quarters at the fort be consigned to civilian* to ue as homes and a reply from Washington in regard to the matter ts expected soon. In the opinion of Mayor Jewett approximately 2,000 persons could be accommodated at the fort. It was said there are only ten unused quarters at the fort, which will accommodate only a like number of families. Officers also said these quarters probably will be filled during the course of a year. Oapt. King of the quartermaster corps held a conference with Mayor Jewett In regard to the proposal. Woman’s Headless Body Found in Ice SCHENECTADY, N. Y„ April 12.—The headless body of a woman, imbedded in n cake of ice found on tha bank of the Mohawk river near here, has furnished the local police with an absorbing mystery. Both feet and one arm of the body also were missing. A chemical analysis is to be made to determine If a substance covering the body is quicklime. Coroner Baxter declares that if lime lind not been used the woman has been dead more than a year. Thief Flees Tailor Clad in Pajamas Nick Chrispslcopulos chased a thief for a block from his tailor shop at 18 South West street at 2 o’clock this morning. Nick, in pajamas and bare feet, was badly outdistanced. Nothing was taken.

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1920.

DENISON HOTEL TO PASS INTO HISTORY SUNDAY Famous Landmark of Politics and Trade Nears Close of 58 Years’ Career. NEWS BRINGS SHOCK Lights in the Denison hotel will be turned off early Sunday night—never to be turned on again. On that day the old hostelry, which has not closed its doors in fifty-eight years, will pass out of existence. Guests were notified today that the lease on the property, held by Crawford Fairbanks, will not be renewed and that tb- place will be elosed. Plans for the future of the site, which Is on the southeast corner of Pennsylvania and Ohio streets, have not been disclosed, but it is understood the old building will be razed to make room for a skyscraper. The passing of the Denison takes away one of the city's real landmarks. For a half century it has been one of the best known hosteiries in the conntry. Presidents, senators, royal visitors and other gentry have been guests there. It was the meeting place for politicians, large and small. Crawford Fairbanks of Terre Ilnnte. leasee, said the fixture* would be sold at public auction April 20. His lease expires May 1, and he said he was closing the hotel Sunday to give him time to prepare for clearing out his belongings. Fairbanks haN operated the hotel through the Deulaon Hotel Company for fifteen years. Merehaants who occupy store space on the Pennsylvania and Ohio street sides of the building will remain there Indefinitely. The Fletcher Savings and Truat Company has charge of the property a* trustee for the D. P. Erwin estate. Official* of the trust company say no definite plans have been made for the future of the property. One report is current that a huge office building, which will house a theater. Is to be erected on the site. The property at present is appraised at $1,200,000. When word snread around the lobby of the hotel this morning that It would be closed gloom seemed to spread. Some of the guests hail been there for many years. "I'ci losing a happy home," said E. L. Rondel of the J. M. Bour Coffee Company. He has been living in the Denison eighteen years. “They never can beat old room 308," be said. And Mr. Rnndel volunteered that others would miss their old home. Some of these are Robert McGibbon, a salesman, who has lived there fifteen ye*rs. and Adjt, Gen. Harry B. Smith of Indiana, who has been a guest there five year* or more. The “old guards" lived close together in a little colony on the second Moor. Frederick VanNuy*. United States ill* trlct attorney, also stayed at the hotel. Crawford Fairbanks appeared affected (Continued on I’wge Ten.)

Grand Jury Hears Three More on Jail i Marion county grand Jury resumed jH* probe into jail conditions today, i hearing three witnesses. William Wilson, who testified in Ibe | federal court about conditions at the | Jail when he was a deputy sheriff; i Richard Pedlow and Dr. C. E. Dsy | were heard. Pedlow is the father-in-law of an In- ! sane man who was said to have been ; mistreated at the Jail. Bars Medicine Sales at Public Market 1 Carlin Shank, county commissioner, said today that men who have been selling medicine on the public market Just east of the courthouse step* Saturday afternoon* will be barred from space in the future. For several months men and women selling medicine there have used n monkey, a dog, negro minstrels and j other stunts to attract a crowd, i Gardeners some time ago protested to | the county commissioners against cor- | dltions which have crowded them off I the public market. Berry Says He’ll Win County Chairmanship , Jnmcs E. Berry, who Is contending ; against Thomas It. Carroll fj>r the chair- ! tnanshlp of the democratic county rom- | mlttee, today said withdrawals of con ; didates for precinct committeemen had reduced the number to be voted upon to 1 254 in 177 precincts. j Mr. Berry says he believes 140 of these i 254 are pledged to bis support or known |to be favorable to his election., and claims six others certainly. “I am receiving positive assurance from substantial democrats in all parts of the county,” said Mr. Berry, “that candidates for committeemen favorable to my election will succeed with little or no i opposition."

8 Hurt in Gotham L Train Collision NEW YORK, April 12.—Eight persons were injured here today in a collision between a local and an express train on the Ninth Avenue elevated road at the Hector station. The first car of the local was knocked off the track to the street and the wreckage caught fire. All of the injured were passengers In , this car. Irish Call Strike as Prison Protest LONDON, April 12.—The Irish labor party has called a general strike In Ireland, effective tomorrow, as a protest against the treatment of Irish prisoners In the Mount Joy jail, said a Central News dispatch from Dublin this afternoon. Runs Away, Leaving: His S7OO in Store A young man giving his name as E.M. Glosser, 305 North State street, walked i Into the Susraan loan office, 239 West IVa'shington street, today and laid down j SSOO worth of war savings stamps and S2OO worth of Liberty bonds he said he wished to sell. As they wore being examined be turned and ran out of the store. Police were notified.

STRIKE EASES IN MIDWEST CITIES , BUT STEADILY MOUNTS IN EAST

NEW YORK CITY TRAIN SERVICE AT STANDSTILL Chicago Optimistic While Reporting 36,000 Out in U. S. —2,300 Here. HITS MANY INDUSTRIES While apparently receding in other parts of the country, the unauthorized strike of railroad workers continued to spread in the east today, resulting in chaotic conditions on all roads and an almost complete stoppage of regular traffic on many of them. New York was practically cut ofT from the west so far as regular train service was concerned. Ivocal and suburban service was at a standstill. From the whltehouse in Washington lame thl* announcement: "The government 1* watching the railroad strike and will act If necessary.” Other government agencies—the department of justice and the postoffice department—were considering the strike practically to the exclusion of other business. The number of men reported striking was placed at approximately 36,000, with 2,300 out in lndiannpclla. The one hopeful note In the situation was struck by C. B Greer, vice president of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad at Chicago. He aaid: "The backbone of the atrlke ia broken in Chicago." YARDMEN IN MEETING HERE A meeting of the yardmen waa held at the Labor temple this morning and meetings were to be held tbia afternoon and evening. Peters, leader of the strikers, was unable to attend meeting* because of the death of a relative and he delegated hi* authority to James Canary. Official* of the union aaid closed shop rule will be added to the demands made of the railroads. It was estimated that 2,301) men are out in the Indianapolis yards, and reports from the national association, with headquarters in Chicago, said 36,000 were out in the entire country. It was asserted at the switchmen's headqusrters here thst at! officials of the Indianapolis locals, No. 261 and Ns 374 o t the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, except one, have joined the new associxtlon, not f httandlng the *Sael feport that the established brotherhoods were fighting Jbe unauthorized strike. O. C. Harvey, president of one local, and Pat Shea, president of the Indianapolis local of the Switchmen's Colon of North America, are claimed as members of the new association Member* of the Brotherhood of Loco motive Engineers *r* attending meetings of the yardmen and are quoted as expressing sympathy for the strike movement. J. T. fonder, chairman of the general committee of the strikers, denied reports that the strike In Chicago was being de fen ted and read telegrams from representatives of the local association, who are in Chicago, which state that tha switchmen of that city are out solidly. Committees of the local organization have been sent to Louisville. Ky.; Bradford, O.; North Vernon. Columbus, Seymour. Lafayette, Loganxport, Tipton, Huntington, Peru, Kokomo and Richmond to orgnnize locals. Little congestion has occurred hi Indianapolis freight yards, although the tleup lias been nearly complete, railroad officials said. The early laying down of an embargo halted the Influx of freight. The Big Four and the Reit lines have kept engines moving in the yard* continually a. id have moved some freight despite the crippled condition of their forces.

Strikers charge thst the Beit line ha* been paying switchmen approximately the same as the demand* of the association require and that men have been paid for continuous time while working only part lime. Denunciation of "outlaw" labor union strikes was officially made by atereotyp- ! ers’ union No. 38 of Indianapolis at a meeting yesterday afternoon. The alereotypera in a resolution aaid repudiation of contracts "represents sedli lion, bolshevism and anarchy." PENNSY CANCELS TWENTY-FIVE TRAINS * NEW YORK, April 12.—The paralysis of the great railroad traffic arteries into New York and vicinity became more pronounced today ns the “outlaw” strike of railroad workers spread unchecked. The situation waa worse than on any day previous. The Pennsylvania railroad announced the cancellation of twenty-five trains. Tlie trains taken off Included n mini- ; her of Washington and Philadelphia : trains, the Mercantile Express, west ! bound, and tbe Metropolitan Express,! also west-bound. The Broadway Limited, the Pennsylvania's crack Chicago train, was maintained. Tlie Erie railroad waa practically down. The Lackawanna suspeded all local traffic and was at a standstill except for fln occasional through train. Only the New York Central and the New Haven roads managed to maintain anything like normal service and they ! were badly handlcnped. The congestion in New York heeame 1 terrific ns the day advanced and thou- j sands of person were left milling around, | unable to get. to their destinations. j In the Pennsylvania station more than ! 3.000 persons were on hand when time ap- ! proaehed for the departure of the Phlla- j delphia local at 9:10 a. m. The Central Railroad of New Jersey j announced suspension of all passenger j traffic because of the rail strike. Tbe .suspension also effects tbe Phila- j delphia & Reading railroad, which uses i the Jersey Central tracks en route to j New York. CUMMINS ESCH~BILL SCORED AT MEETING KANSAS CITY, April 12.—Tbe fifth hi-I enniai convention of the railway depart- | ment of the American Federation of Labor opened here today wltb some significant utterances on the subject of the wage difficulty ami which have caused thousands of railroad employes in all parts of the country to ignore union af- ; filiations and take part la an “outlaw" j ■trike. The opening session, which was thrown

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THE RAIL STRIKE AT A GLANCE Extent of Walkout THIRTY-SIX thousand yardmen, switchmen and engineers and firemen of yard engines are out, according to latest reports. The strike area reaches from Jersey City to Los Angeles, with the center at Chicago, where it started. In Indianapolis 2.300 are out. The Cause Chicago switchmen struck for higher wages and because of personal complaint of a discharged foreman, got yard engine men to join them, broke away from the parent union and formed a separate organization, which brought rapid spread of the strike despite appeals from railway brotherhood chiefs. The Result Freight tieup nearly complete in Indianapolis, although early embargo put into force by railroads has reduced congestion. Tens of thousands of freight cars idle throughout country. No immediate danger of food famine seen, but shortage of coal supply forces many industries to close, mammoth steel plants at Gary, Ind., Youngstown, 0., and Buffalo, N. Y., being chief sufferers. Many mines closed, including about 100 in Indiana. Passenger train service seriously crippled thus far only in New York district. In Chicago, 50,000 packing house employes are idle and live stock shipments everywhere are cut to minimum. Demands and Answers Striking switchmen demand higher wage scale, better working conditions and reinstatement of foreman referred to. In Chicago the scale demanded is: $1 an hour for foremen of switchmen and yard enginemen, instead of $5.33 a day, now paid; 95 cents an hour for switchmen and yard trainmen helpers instead of $5 a day; $1.50 an hour for yard engineers, who now get $5.75 a day; $1 an hour for yard firemen, who now get from $4.16 to $4.28 a day. W. G. L®e, president of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen and Warren S. Stone, chief of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, brand the strike as illegal and new union as renegade in walking out while wage negotiations are under way at Washington. Charge breaking of contract by strikers and send 2.000 loyal workers to Chicago to try to break the strike. Railroad managements depend on brotherhoods to keep wage contracts with their workers, but co-operate in efforts to crush strike. * The “rebels" justify their action by citing delay of wage parley at Washington The Stake The brotherhoods, with their leaders, are fighting for their lives. If they win the new union will be discredited. If the Big Four loses, entirely new- leaders in railway workers’ counsels may take charge. Today's Prospects Future of strike seemingly depends on action which officials of eleven big railroad unions meeting in Kansas City will take. The meeting is called to jlecide whether the brotherhoods will continue to enforce their agreement to submit all wage demands to mediation or declare for %te uniui of ail railroad employes and indorse the present strike. Action by Government Senate investigating committee to begin inquiry at Chicago tomorrow; officials of department of Justice to examine evidence on charges of conspiracy and to watch closely for profiteering on food.

open to the press, produced a series of bitter attacks on tbe Cummins-Esch railroad law and threats to rid congress of the men who have voted for its passage. In speeches by A. O. Wharton, international president of the department, and former Congressman Edward Keating of Colorado, manager of the Tlumb plan league, the law was asniled as the most vicious piece of class legislation suer enacted. Earlier, in n interview, Wharton had indicated that the sentiment of the convention would probably be in favor of submitting to tbe law. He said resolutions probably would be passed this afternoon dealing with the outbreak of the lusurgent element. The 600 representatives here of more than 700.000 will be urged, he said, to go about seeking wage readjustments according to the method outlined in the law. Failure of tha government to establish a labor board to listen to their requests was severely scored. Rumors that the radical clement represented here may make an effort to seize the convention and turn it to their own purposes were in circulation as the delegates gathered. The temper of the meeting seemed sympathetic to the striking clement, although all of the speakers were inclined to doubt the effectiveness of its methods. PALMER TO TAKE PERSONAL CHARGE WASHINGTON, April 12.—The government today was preparing to move against the nation-wide railroad strike. Attorney General I’almer, returning from his campaign trip through Georgia, was to take up the reins and direct the government activities to safeguard the transportation of the nation. The attorney general was expected at the whltehouse to obtain the viewpoint of the president as to the courss ioi l>e followed. Strong pressure was being brn )ght lo bear upon the president for immediate action to quell the strike. Business men and political leaders wired from many cities that food supplies are being threatened. Attorney General Palmer has given indication that he does not. intend to more without careful consideration. Two courses are open.

Asks 10-Yr. Penalty for Rail Strikes WASHINGTON. April 12.—An nnttstrlkc bill imposing severe penalties on those responsible for tying up Interstate or foreign commerce was Introduced in tbe senate this afternoon by Senator Poindexter, republican, of Washington. The bill is as follows: "Section I—Whoever, with intent to obstruct, delay, hinder, Impede or prevent the movement of commodities in commerce with foreign nations or among the several states, by word of mouth or by the presentation, exhibition or circulation of written or printed words, or otherwise, solicits, advises, induces or persuades or attempts to induce or persuad* any person or persons employed la any capacity in the production, care, maintenance or operation *3 nny means or agoney of such comuwrce, to quit such employment shall be guilty of a felony and punished by a tine not excoeding SIO,OOO or by imprisonment not exceeding tea years, or by both such fine and inuHlybnment.”

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[ One calls for injunction proceedings j under the Lever law and the other calls for criminal action against the strikers for interfering with interstate commerce. Officials admit that the situation is ; difficult, because the strike Is unauthorized and is apparently backed by no organization with central control. Every standard railroad labor organization with wage demands pending will present them to the railroad companies on April 28. it was announced here. This program is to be laid before the convention now in session in Kansas City for approval. The demands will call for “national standardization of wages with proper dlffe rentials." National mobilization of motor transport to supplement the efforts of the railroads in combating the "outlaw” strike, is proceeding rapidly, the federal highway council announced. Steps are being taken to link up business organization* and associations I throughout the country for emergency transport purposes, It was stated. STRIKE NATURAL REA CTI ON—GOMPERS CLEVELAND, April 12. —Urging “eoolhendedness" and cessation of radical methods, the heads of the railroad broth erhoods today resumed their fight to ; bring order out of the chaos caused by | the “outlaw" railroad strike. Samuel Gorr.pers. president of the A. F. jof L., here attending the convention of the cigarmakers international union, addressed a meeting of brotherhood members this afternoon. ,f "The strike is a big mistake," said Mr. Gompers. “I saw this trouble brewing. “It is the inescapable protest of these men against the effort to legislate away their rights. “Men like Senator Cummins and Gov. Allen of Kansas are largely responsible for the prevent conditions, with their legislation to deny a man the right to quit work to enforce a legitimate claim or redress for injury. “The brotherhood officials are doing their duty by trying to show the men the error of their heated and headless action and they will eventually succeed. “The American Federation of Labor Is back of their efforts with might and main.” A break in the ranks of the yardmen's strike here was reported by Baltimore & Ohio and Erie railroad officials. They could not estimate the number who returned, but said the resumption of freight traffic to a considerable ex. tout would be possible. Strikers wore also reported returning to other yard*. W. G. Leo, president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Train men, said reports from all parts of the country received by him Indicated that the tid© had set in against the Insurgents. THOUSANDS IDLE IN STEEL DISTRICT PITTSBURG, April 12.—With the rapid extension of the railroad strike throughout the Pittsburg district today the Industrial situation became more critical. AH the big steel*" mills In Newcastle were forced to close and It Is estimated that between 75,000 and 100.000 men have I been made idle In the whole Pittsburg i industrial district which embraces most i of western Pennsylvania and eastern | Ohio, including Youngstown, where the tteop has been complete. The big mill* in Pittsburg proper and tbe upper Monogahela valley were running with only a few days’ *ipply of coal on hand.

NO. 289.

CITY WARNED , GAS USING MUST BE CUT IN HALF Prospect of Famine by Next Week Emphasized in Statement to Public. STRIKE ADDS TO PERIL Indianapolis is confronted with a gas famine and only strictest economy in the use of gas will save the situation, it was declared in a statement issued today by Mayor Jewett, E. L Lewis, chairman of the state public service commission; Charles F. Coffin, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and J. D. Forrest, general manager of the Citizens’ Gas Company. Use of gas .must be cut by cn.e-ba.tf, Mr. Forreßt said. The city is consuming 10,000,000 ctible feet a day. By the first of next week the famine will be on if consumers do not heed the warning, Mayor Jewett announced. MAY HANDICAP HEAT AND LIGHT MSRYICE. The heat and light companies of the city also will maintain aerrice with difficulty in a very short time if shipment* of coal are not received. There Is no danger of a shortage ia ! foodstuffs, but industries and consumers will suffer from a coal famine in the ! city a short time, coal men say. The strike of railroad yardmen added | the last straw to the gas company** heavy burden, Mr. Forrest said. From last November until the fir*t es April the gas company was unable to buy coal, as no restrictions were placed on export. The government had set a price for coal sold to public utilities. When the gas company was able to enter the market for coal it bought all it conld. but has been unable to gain any surplus supply or to expand to the normal capacity of its plant. Use of water gas equipment has re- : Ileved the situation somewhat, but the company is not equipped to serve the entire city with its present equipment. Another obstacle in the way of water gas manufacture is the shortage of fuel oil. All fuel oil comes from west of the Mississippi and the railroad strike has caused an embargo on shipment* into Indiana. EASTERN ROADS PUT EMBARGO ON COAL. Eastern railroads have placed an embargo against Indianapolis on coal shipments. The normal use of coal by the gas company is I.W) tons a day. o"d restricted use in March was 1,520 ton* a day. Using fuel oil, the gas company could rnn on its present basia about six days with the oil available. With co-operation of the public it is hoped to extend that supply to cover two weeks, in which time it is hoped the railroad strike will be settled. "Without gas for cooking the people of Indianapolis could not live," said Mr. Forrest. “Until the situation is relieved the public should confine itself to the use of gas far only those purposes for which it ia essential to the life of the community.” ROADS PUSHING \ LOCAL FREIGHT. | Railroads operating in IndtsnapoUia are making strong efforts to mov*l freight and avoid a general business paralysis, which business men say would inevitably follow a long tieup by transportation facilities. Railroads claimed that all perishab’e foodstuffs are being moved, and that there is no danger of a food shortage In the city. Failure of railroads to more coal, because. of the switchmen’s strike, however, has brought public utilities and large industries, which use immense amounts of coal, up against a serious situation. John A. George, president of the Indianapolis Coal Company, said that retailers of the city can take care of the demands of consumers for & few days or a week. "All of the coal companies have coal in transit or in the yards,’ he said. "If the strike is ended in a week, there will be no serious result as regards coal.” Some retail dealers are unable to fill orders for coal today. At the office of J. W. Coneys, superintendent of the Pennsylvania, It was said that the coal movement had not been greatly reduced by strike conditions as it had been far below normal for many months because of the ear shortage. “We have been able to handle all the coal we could get Into the local yards,” said a Pennsylvania official. Big Four officials, however, said that the coal situation will become extremely hazardous if the strike lasts a week. SITUATION SERIOUS FOR UTILITIES. "The most serious aspect of the coal situation 1b its effect on public utilities of the city,” it was said at the Big Four office. "We'll make a special effort to take care of them—thus far we have succeeedcd in serving them.” Charles O'Brien Murphy, president of the Merchants Heat and Light Company, advanced the suggestion that the utilities companies should take steps to prevail on switchmen to move coal for them. “It might be taken up through the governor or some other authority," said Mr. Murphy. “Coal movement has been sadly hampered since last November by the car shortage and a further setback of this time would be very serious.” Business at the livestock yards is at a standstill. Kingan & Cos. are still doing (Continued on Page Ten.)

Soldiers Delivering Mail in New Jersey JERSEY CITY, N. J., April 12. Soldiers in uniform began handling government mail here this afternoon after the railroads had failed to handle It adequately because of the strike. Seventeen army motor trucks, each manned by five soldiers, were rushed here from Camp Merritt. There were two guards on each truck, armed with an automatic pistol. They immediately began to unload mall from the cars and to dlatrth.ate it along the line of the Northern railroad of New Jersey, a subsidiary of the Erie. J