Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-03-16
PRESIDENT WILSON CALLS
HIS CABINET TO OUTLINE
COURSE If STRIKE COMES
By ROBERT ]. BENDER.

united IItSs oldH correspondent.
WASHINGTON, March 16-Faced by
the gravest domestic situation which
has threatened the country in many
months, President Wilson today call
ed his Cabinet into session at 2.30
o'clock TO determine a course Of ac-
ton in the fight between the rail-
roads and their employees.
c ,-fVs dents hands are admit
tc' . ied IN so far as being able to
adopt any drastic measures to ward
off the threatened strike Of the
Hrotherhoods.
Inquiries will probably be made. how
ever, in event of no peaceful solution
into possibility Of the government
bringing injunction proceedings TO pre-
vent strike or perhaps asking receiver
ship for the railroads and operating
them in this way.
lie appeared TO have but two courses
"a patriotic appeal TO both sides in tho
controversy to make concessions in view
of the grave international crisis. and
prevent the impending tic-up of the
country's transportation system. or the
summoning into conference with him
Of representatives from the railroads
and Brotherhoods in an effort TO medi
ate their differences.
Announcement Of the Presidents
course is expected at the conclusion
OF the Cabinet meeting.
The administration regards the
strike situation as an extremely grave
question in which each side OF the
controversy IS partly 10 blame for as
Stunning a dogmatic position. The
President Is expected to make clear
to the people Of the country his opin-
ion Of the situation should all efforts
to avert a strike fail.
There is also q possibility Of hasten
ing a session of Congress. IL neces-
sary, in order to secure powers for
the President 10 bring government
forces into play to handle the crisis.
The President still weakened from
( his protracted Illness, Will leave his
room for the first time in nine days
10 attend the Cabinet meeting.
/ Strike orders call at first for a
/ cessation OF work only on freight
ira rs. The employees expect that
their first display Of strength will
bring the roads to terms. II It fails to
DO this the strike will be extended on
successive days TO freight employees
/ throughout tho country until by We'd
nesday all the roads will he affected.
On Wednesday. II the railroads still
hold out, the brotherhood men will
begin to leave the passenger trains
and locomotives. II the men carry
out their program every mile OF rail
road IN the country. both freight and
passenger service, will feel the effects
OF the strike by Monday March 26
Plans to combat sDoh a strike were
completed by the railroads of the coun-
try last winter when the crisis was
averted BY the action OF President Will
son and the passage OF the Adamson
law. Each road apparently will wori
out its individual methods. Indications
today are that the managers hope {
large percentage Of their men will re
fuse TO obey the strike order and tina
a partial service Will be maintained
notwithstanding the effort OF III
brotherhoods.
Railroads Appeal TO Men.
Appeals TO employees to remain loya
were issued last night by the New
York Central and the Baltimore 4
Ohio roads. which would be amonl
the first affected by the walkout. On
railroad authority said today that
the railroads could keep six trains Il
movement every day on the mail
lines they would break the strike
The roads expect TO accomplish thi
and perhaps more. by manning train
with pensioned employees, foremen. de
3 spatchers and traffic and office mel
not members of the striking brother
hoods. Thus far the railroads hav
announced no plans for recruiting
breakers outside the service.