Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1910 — SWITCHMEN TO STRIKE [ARTICLE]

SWITCHMEN TO STRIKE

Returns from Balloting Overwhelmingly Favor Walkout. Railroad Officials Are Said to Be Preparing to Fill Places—Refuse to Accept Arbitration. Chicago, Feb. 8. —Switchmen employed on Chicago railroads, who last Saturday were refused an advance in wages, have indicated by an almost overwhelming majority in three out of the eighteen switching districts their repugnance to arbitration to settle their differences with their employers. This is construed to mean that the men will strike. The three roads from which returns have been received are the Northwestern, Burlington and the Illinois Central. By almost a full vote the switchmen on these systems signified their wislj to strike rather than submit their wage controversy to arbitrators. While the road officials are said to be in no fear of a strike it is known that preparations are already under way to fill the places of the switchmen in the event of a walkout.