Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1920 — GRUNUA ASKS END OF STRIKE [ARTICLE]

GRUNUA ASKS END OF STRIKE

Leaders of Outlaw Union Calls Meeting to Halt Walkout. CAN'T DEFEAT GOVERNMENT Two Other Leaders of Rebel Switchmen Join Head of New Union In Calling Meeting to End Struggle. Chicago, April 23.—The outlaw strike of switchmen and enginemen. which originated in Chicago two weeks ago and infected workers on practically every railroad in the United States, hns reached its climax. John Grunau, leader of the striking switchmen and regarded as first figure among the union •'rebels” of the country, called a mass meeting of all his followers. At this gathering Grunau will advise the men to return to work, he said. "We’re Licked,” Says Qranau. "We are licked,” he said. ."We could fight the railway brotherhoods and the .railroad officials, but we can't fight the government. So far as our immediate demands for wage increases and working hours are concerned the strike has been a failure. I shall give the men this advice. "But we have one fight which can be continued. Even though we are forced to return to the yards, as now is evident, we yet can battle for the permanent maintenance of our own union. We will carry this fight to Washington.” End of Strike at Hand* Grunau’s influence among the strikers is admittedly nation-wide. Railroad officials, apprised of his statement, regarded it as representing the terminatioi. of the entire strike movement. While it wps recalled that an attempted peace meeting Wednesday was taken over by radicals and brought no results, yet no such possibility showed for the meeting arranged by Grunau. Two other leaders of the outlaw strike movement have joined with Mr. Grunau In calling the gathering. They are William Bond, treasurer of Grunau’s Chicago Yardmen’s association, and Harold Reading, president of the United Enginemen’s association.