New-York tribune., 1912-02-28
j. S. PROBE IN LAWRENCE
WiCkersham Seeks to Know Why
Police MoIeSt Children.
THREE INVESTIGATIONS ON
State and District Courts Begin
Inquiries-Action by Con-
gress Possible.

Lawrence. Mass, Feb 21-Three investi-
cations all having to do with the authority
OF the textile strikers TO send their children
TO other cities to be cared for. are now
under way, United States Attorney Asa p
French, of Boston, acting on instructions
from Attorney General Wickersham, is con-
Quoting one probe, while Attorney General
James NJ. Swift, of Massachusetts,, has
commenced another at the request Of Gov
ernor Eugene y. Foss. a third was pro-
vided for by the District Court to-day and
a Congressional investigation is also under
consideration al Washington.
Mr. French, in making known to-day the
fact that federal investigation has been
ordered, said
The law officers of the United States
have no authority TO investigate TINS strlke
in its general aspects. Their only sollcl-
tude Is to ascertain whether or not the
complaint which has been made to them
that the prevention by the local police OF
the transportation of children from Law
renee TO Providence and Philadelphia last
Saturday was in violation of any para
mount law OF the United states, and par
tcularly whether or not ii involves con-
splraCy 20 restrain trade among the states
under the criminal provisions of the Sher-
man act on The ground that II unWar-
rantably interferes with contract for in
| terstate transportation Of passengers by a
common carrier.
Immediate action is anticipated by the
federal attorney The investigation will be
made by special agents Of the Department
OF Justice.
Truce Between Warning Elements.
A committee investigation of the ndivid-
ual cases OF the fourteen children of strik-
ers who were detained by the police as
neglected minors when the strike leaders
sought TO send them to Philadelphia last
Saturday was decided upon tonight in
! lieu of a regular court hearing. This plan
was adopted at a conference called by
Judge J. j. Mahoney, OF the District Court,
after he had heard the evidence in the
cases of the two children of Mrs. Mary
Baum. charged with neglect. The court
/ suggested that pending the report of the
| committee no more children be sent away
| from the city. and the attorneys for the
strikers agreed so to recommend to the
leaders.
! City Solicitor d. j. Murphy, the Rev.
| Clark Carter city missionary; Probation
| officer Thomas McEnaney and George +.
| Rover, jr., and John +. Lynch, attorneys,
| comprise the committee as agreed to by
the court and interested parties. Their re-
port is expected 10 be ready within few
| days.
At the Baum hearing, City Solicitor Muir
ply stated that the ground IN which the
prosecution was proceeding was tho statute
relating to neglected children, and because
it was the belief that these children were
| Of tat ion in
New York. Philadelphia and elsewhere.
Congressman Butler Ames, of Lowell
who represents the 9TH District, which in
cludes Lawrence. was visitor here to
day. He said he desired to make per
sonal investigation OF the situation i'm view
OF the interest shown in Washington
Strike Settlement Remote.
Meanwhile the settlement OF the STRIKE
itself appears to he still remote. The mil
owners have positively declined TO trca
with the leaders OF the Industrial Worker.
| of the World.
There we're few clashes between the po
lice and the strikers to-day and these
were OF minor character, in contrast to the
disturbances OF yesterday. when the police
were fired upon from windows. Those who
cared to work were generally allowed tc
go TO the mills unmolested to-day.
! In statement issued tonight the strik
ers' committee declare.
These men and women cannot suffer
much longer: they may be compelled &c
rise in armed revolt against the oppressors
! II the present state Of affairs is allowed
20 continue"
| The loom fxers employed at the Kun
| hardt mill will return to work tomorrow
| This will allow the weavers, who have
! been forced out OF employment, TO resume
work, and will result in considerable in
! crease I'm the working force at the mill. Al
| OF the mills are said to have shown gains
| to-day. and the agents expect the number
returning to be gradually increased from
| dav To- day.