Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-16

approval Of the President and his ap-
prevail has been given.
NJ DRASTIC ACTION PLANNED
M Asked IL course Of action had been
Z 1eclded upon in event OF failure of this
nediatory course. Secretary of War Baker
replied that he would not care to discuss
that.
n There IL reason 60 believe, however, that
4 The Government, in view OF the interna-
y fsvnai sifuafiop, IL determined to take any
3 action. however drastic, to prevent tie-up
81 the great transportation systems OF the
eeuntry.
The announcement was signed by Secre-
Z tary of War Baker as chairman OF the
Council of National Defense and addressed
y 20 Secretary Lane. w b. wilson, panlel
willard, of the Baltimore and Ohio ana
Samuel Gompers.
DUTY OF THE BOARD
+. A letter prepared at the Defense Council
meeting signed by Secretary OF war
Baker as chairman of the council. and ad-
dressed to Lane. Wilson, willard and
oompers, read:
At a meeting of the Council of Ma
tionai Defense II was resolved that 1t
be requested to seek an interview with
the representatives of the railroad
brotherhoods and the railroad execu-
now existing between them and appar-
emily threatening to produce a general
railroad strike in the country; and that
you present to the representatives OF
both sides the grave peril involved III
such a situation at this time, and that
you request them 40 to adjust their
differences as In any event to lead to
N postponement of any acute difhcuty
during the present national emergency.
The Administration regards the strike
situation as an extremely grave question,
n which each side of the controversy rs
partly to blame for assuming a dogmatic |
position. The President Is expected to |
make clear to the people of the country |
his opinion Of the situation should all ef- |
forts to avert a strike fail.
There is also a possibility of hastening I
q session of Congress. II necessary. in order |
TO delegate powers for the President to |
bring Government forces into play to handle |
the crisis.
President Wilson will accept any offers |
by the brotherhoods or the managers, If |
such are made. to mediate in the railroad |
strike situation. 1t was stated on high au-
thority today. No such request had reached
the White House up to afternoon, but re-
ports from New York were that both sides
were considering the question of calling |
upon the President to find a solution.
There is a strong indication that If the
President is not formally asked to mediate
he will call both the railroad managers and
him within twenty-four hours. The Pres
ident's understanding Of the situation now
Is that both sides appear TO be marking
time pending some action on his part. 1t
u the belief of his advisers that the country
rs well as the railroads and their employees
now look to the President personally to
avert the strike.
WILL FIX BLAME
In event, however that all moves fail and
~ frtly Drag ,xsf1I
take occasion to inform the country as to
where he believes the bans rests for a
situation Of perilous possibilities whereby
the transportation systems of the country
are tied up in the face of a great crisis
The President is expected should ne issue
\ formal statement appeal. to point out
that the demands for which the railroad
employees are contesting are now III the
hands of the Supreme Court that a de-
cision is expected soon, and that the least
hat could be expected from them would be
70 await action by the highest court.
II the strike is permitted to be put into
enect 1t will enormously hammer prepared
ness plans In addition. officials who know
what Is planned declared that freight sched-
ules will be disarranged that ii will
require weeks and possibly months to re-
store normal conditions after the strike is
adjusted
EFFECT OF STRIKE
Transfer of building materials from
establishments to the various
will be stopped. Massing of
needed supplies for the army and navy | ,
pannot be completed. In a score of ways. | ,
bfhcials say. railway strike at this time ,
yould hamper developments of the national :
1efense. and army and navy officials alike
have urged that nothing be left undone that
would prevent it, ,
officials of the railroads centerng in t
Washington today defiantly declared that
he threatened strike, IL made effective, r
will be broken by the loyalty of the en- '
,loyes. Most of the roads declare that {
'ully fifty per cent of their men will re- !
main at work. strike order or no strike
rider. Subordinate railroad officials say +,
hat the tie-up will be complete if the strike
J put into effect
y