The picket lines of the strikers were respected by the 1,500 trainmen of the United Transportation Union (UTU) and the members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. (These unions represent "operating employees" such as engineers, firemen, and switchmen.). This brought to a halt the normal weekday movement of 260,000 daily riders on 670 trains over the 326 route miles of track of the LIRR.

The last strike called by any of the dozen craft unions against the railroad was in 1922. The LIRR trainmen, however, organized in the UTU, have struck several times in recent years and had a major strike of 26 days in 1960 that won a five-day workweek. John Buccarella, a car repairman who has worked for the LIRR for more than 25 years, told reporters that his base pay was $38 a day. Out of this, he said, he paid $22 a week for retirement benefits. In addition, there are taxes and other deductions. "With a large family like mine, how do you expect us to live?" Buccarella asked.

December 15, 1947
The first result of the UN partition of Palestine was the sharpening of relation between Arabs and Jews throughout the Middle East. While the heads of Arab governments held a "war council" in Cairo, the Jewish Agency for Palestine called for full mobilization of all Jews between the ages of 17 and 25.

Jews, in their exultation over the establishment of a "Jewish state," have closed their eyes to the full implication of the strife that lies ahead. Unfortunately, the Jewish masses in almost all countries - blinded by the miserable fate of the Jews during the war and by the glowing promises now being made to them - are supporting the Zionist leaders.

The Jews of the Middle-Eastern countries, however, are not in such wholehearted sympathy with the "Jewish state." Despite the conflict which has existed in Palestine, Jews in other Arab countries have lived peaceably with their neighbors for many years. Now scores have been murdered in Aden and other Arab lands. The partition plan has jeopardized their position to the point where the Chief Rabbi of Baghdad called for Jews in Iraq to support the Arab cause. In response to this call the Jews collected $2,000,000 to help the Palestinian Arabs.  
 
 
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