Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-03
GOVERNMENT WILL ACT.
Odicfals Say Strikers Must Obey In
terstate Commerce Law.

An important conference in regard to
the present labor troubles growing out of
the strike at the Pullman car works was
held at the White House last evening. 1t
began at a little after and lasted after
midnight, and was participated in by the
President, Secretary Gresham, Attorney
General Olney, Secretary Lamont, Maj.
Gen. Schofield and Maj. Gen. Miles. The
last named officer has been on leave for the
past two weeks. but, on account of the
troubles at Chicago, had been ordered to re-
turn to his post Immediately, stopping here
on his way in order ID receive personal
instructions for his guidance in the em-
ployment of troops against the strikers.
The usual reticence was observed in re-
gard to the conference, but 1t is understood
that it was decided TO use the entire power
Of the government to prevent the threaten
ed paralysis of internal commerce. Future
action would be basel on the order issued
by the United States court in Chicago yes
terday, enjoining any and all Interference
with interstate railway transportation.
That injunction was sougat by Instructions
Of the Attorney General. after Il full con-
sultation with the President and members
OF the cabinet. In is petition for an in
junction the government alleges violations
OF the antitrust act Of July =. $780, the
interstate commerce act and also the laws
struct the United States mails. Section
OF the act of July =, 1890, declares that
every contract, combination in the form OF
a trust or otherwise or conspiracy in re-
straint OF trade or commerce among the
several states with foreign nations is
hereby declared to be illegal" Violations
or this section are punishable by fine not
exceeding $4,000 or imprisonment for enc
year, or both. at the discretion Of the court,
Section of the act invests the several
circuit courts of the United States with
jurisdiction to prevent violations of the
act, aud 1t is male the duty OF United
states attorneys. under the direction Of
the Attorney General, o institute proceed
ings IN equity TO prevent and restrain such
violations.
The Attorney General has no doubt that
the interstate commerce act, as we'll as
the laws against interferenc with United
States mails, has been violated. He says
that the government is now I'm a position
10 act and that its whole strength will be
used TO prevent any interference with the
railroads engaged in interstate traffic 1t
Goes not matter whether the trains carry
freight, passengers or mails. the laws are
ample TO protect them from molestation
and the Attorney General SAWS that they
Will be protected If II takes the entire army
or the United States. The officials here be-
neVe that the time for temporizny with the
situation has passed and that The best ef-
forts OF the government must be immedi-
ately exercised to restore the business of
the country to IS regular channel
When Gen. Schofeld was Informed of
the action of the Chicago court he said in
a very significant way that the military
authorities had made all Necessary r.repa-
relons and were fully prepared to execute
the orders of the United States courts with
promptness and vigor. Another prominent
oifcial expresses !he opinion that while the
strike Is likely to fall o: its own weight
and from lack of proper organization, yet
II Is necessary for the federal authorities
to be PREPARED for the worst in order to
check any threatened trouble the instant
IL aLpearS