Show TWENTY THOUSAND I OTHERS INVOLVED I Unless the Trouble With the I Switchmen Is Settled the Strike Will Spread I Washington Jan an amicable adjustment of the differences between the northwestern railroads and the switch switchmen switchmen men Is not reached through the media mediation mediation tion conference here the strike will spread and probably 21 men will be called out declared lL H B Perham hed he d ot of the railway department of the American Fed Federation Fedoration oration of Labor today This Increase will not be among the switchmen alone but will come from other organizations like the freight handlers boiler makers and such affiliated associations The switchmen are for peace It if possible but butare butare are determined on a general Jeneral strike if plans for tor mediation fall Mr Perham added however that he Is hopeful ot of a peaceful settlement No affiliated organizations will ill take sympathetic action pending the result of Mr conferences with the me mediation board which will be resumed M Monday The American Federation of Labor has left the whole matter in the hands ot of Mr Perham who is head of the Order of Railway Telegraphers and a member of the executive committee ot of the federation Mr Perham had a short talk with Pres PresIdent President Ident Gompers of the federation today but his call was largely Incident to the New Years reception at Mrs Gompers home homeNo homeNo No decision has been reached by the mediation board as to the selection ot of a third arbitrator in the case of the dispute between the Illinois Central and Its switchmen |