The Prescott Daily News

PENN WAGED WAR ON UNIONISM

Is Charged—Atterbury Counters by Attack on Closed Shop—Heated Discussion Occupies Labor Board's Day.

Chicago, March 22.—Charges that the Pennsylvania Railroad was fighting for the open shop and that the road maintained a spy system before the war, were the subjects of a heated all-day discussion before the railroad labor board today.

Brig.-Gen. W. W. Atterbury, vice pres. of the Pennsylvania, charged the unions with attempting to force the closed shop, and Frank P. Walsh, labor attorney, retaliated with declarations that the Pennsylvania had maintained spies and arsenals to take care of labor troubles.

The whole day's testimony revolved about Gen. Atterbury's stand that he could negotiate agreements applicable to the entire country, could be written by anybody. He also maintained the right of the minority to a voice and charged the unions with assuming to represent all employes and using coercion in attempting to make them join the union.

Attorney Walsh opened his charges of a spy system on the Pennsylvania with a statement that $800,000 had been spent in 1914 on the road's police system. Gen. Atterbury explained that this amount covered all protective measures, such as crossing watchmen and similar employes. Under questioning however, he admitted that the road did maintain a spy system, but declared he could not say how much had been spent on that department.

When Mr. Walsh asked the witness if the road did not have "little arsenals at various points where you kept guns and revolvers," Chairman R. M. Barton halted the examination on the ground that it was getting away from the inquiry ordered by the board.

Several board members joined in the subsequent discussion, but O. A. Wharton, labor leader, finally insisted that the examination continue.