The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-09-17
COURTS MAY Be


President shonts admitted today
he had instructed his legal stan 10
nrv closely into the activities OF the
labor union.sts. He denied however.
that he contem plated any action.
James l. Quackenbush. general at
torney for the marlborough. was eau
tious In his statement OF his prob
able actions.
Our legal department" said Mr..
Ehonts, under my instruction. has
gone into all phases which might
svsntualiss through a general or sym.
pathetic strike. We have not yet
made up our minds as to the wisdom
OF any course.
"Of course, that would not prevent
any enc else from taking any legal
action they may see 1T II others
suffer a. q result OF the systematic
strike 1t is their business and not
that OF the marlborough to take 1t
up with the proper authorities
proceed against strike leaders on
criminal charge I will not say. no "
ever that we will not do anything.
As 60 Injunctions.
Mr. Quackenhush said he had not
decided upon asking for intuncuohs.
Put that condition might change
any moment" he said. cautiously
win you seek the indictment OF any
labor leaders," Mr.. Quackenbush was
asked.
Il. il not our present intent. N to-
dav or tomorro but don't riscor.-
strue our statements. II anything
wrong has been done the law will be
INDICATED"
II was reported that many OF the
employers associations whose inter
ests may be affected II the general
strike In called have retained coun-
sci TO protect their interests
The labor leaders. however. are
proceeding very carefully. They ara
not running headlonx into litigation.
IL they can see clear way TO avoid
it
According to labor leaders. the
unions will not call out men whose
contracts with their employers pro-
vide that conference must first be
held between employer and employees
before q systematic strike is called.
VIII Violate No Contracts.
Nor will any of our contracts be-
tween the organization and the cni-
ployer be violated, the labor leaders
declared. Where there Ia no actual
grievance against the employer It
was said tonight, the course pursued
in Philadelphia during the last car
strike there will be followed. This
procedure ssdid not result in a strike
being called 1t was merely a sus-
pension Of work. A partial vote OF
1900 members Of the Tidewater Boat
mems Union today indicated there IL
an almost unanimous sentiment Il
strike. The vote will be completed
today and the strike probably called
" for Monday or Tuesday. Such actor
will mean the complete tie-up Of al
the coal-carrying craft in the harbor
a. the unions membership includes
coal-passers and trimmers as well al
dockhands on barges. 1t would be
Of great value to the Amalgamated
Union, as ~the power houses of the
traction interests would be unable Il
get coal.
TIE strike Monday.
About forty thousand workers In va
-rieus trades will GO on Atrike Monday
ofaciala of the Union said tonight
These 10000 will be for the most par
longshoremen tidewater boatm en
Transfers and engineers. who have al
ready indicated their willingness te
strike TO uphold the principles Of trades
unionism.
Several thousand other organized
workers are expected to quit their work
during the week. According to union
leaders. there viii be between 1900
and $4,000 workers on strike by next
Saturday night.
Conferences viii be held Monday be-
tween Mayor Mitchell and labor chiefs
at which time II 10 expected that city
ofylctals will try to persuade the union
men from making a widespread e1ten-
sion OF the strike.