The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-03-17
WILSON APPEALS
(Coniuued from First Page.)

S"ni by Secretary Eakcr. as chairman
"t the nati.'uai defense council, to Sec
r"tarlrs Ian" and Wilson and Sir. WI
lard uud Mir. LiompcrS. Following IS
b" next Of the letter sent by Secretary
baker 10 the committee OF four:
M meeting Of the Council OF
National D"frnS. it was resolved
that YOU b. requested Mt pnca To
seek an interview with the represent
iativcS OF The railroads OrothurhoodS
and railroad executives with refer
rnCe 10 tho differences now exist
inE between them ind apparently
threatening Ia produce general
railway strike In the country; that
you present to the representatives
ri both sides the grave peril In
:Olvcd in such II SITUATION I'll THIS
lin" and that you request them SO
to adjust their dIti"runc"s as in any
event to lend TO Il p"struncmcnt OF
any acute difficulty during the pres
"u, national emergency"
Prior to taking up the question with
the unli unul DEFENSE council the presi-
dcat had been informed that the leaders
OF the employers and employees were
waiting in New York 70 see whether he
would take action, and had also been
told Of reports that at least some OF
the brotherhood members We're not
ready TO abide by last years strike
vote.
Does Not Fix Blame.
III lIlB IOl IlluI SSIllIilNtliGul ION AHt HON-
crnment did not seek to lay blame Tor
the present situation either on the ruil-
road officials or on the brotherh Gods.
II is known. however. that the president
believes from his intimate knowledge
ii the situation gained while trying 10
mdiato himself last year that there is
no good reason why compromise is
not possible.
Both ut the meeting OF the Council OF
National Defense and at cabinet meet
ing nfterwnrd the situation from IL mil
!iary and economic standpoint WAS cum
vaSScd. With freight traffic Just par
tI;tlly recovered from Il period at unpro-
Ccdrntci congestion anu with food prices
constantly rising. 4 lir-up of transport
tation facilities for only II few days
would result in terrible suffering.
Eight Hour Day Coming.
All government officials believe that
intimately. through "nn agency or an
other. the railroads viii! have 10 accept
tho eight hour day. They believe mat
The commission headed hy MajOr-[ien-
eral .Goethals. appointed BY the PreSi-
dent under The Atiamson act. is fair and
Will settle cquitahly differences over the
application OF the eight hoGr day. While
there have been no formal expressions
on the subject. the calling OF the strike
without waiting for the supreme court
tn hand down it's decision on the con-
SlitutionalitS OF the law has been gen
orally condemned.
law officers. including those in the of
lice OF The judge advocate general OF
the army, were busy seeking authority
FOR the President TO take drastic steps
II mediation and appeals fall 10 prevent
Il strike.
Has Wide Power.
So far ms any attempt by strikers to
Interfere physically with the operation
vt railroads il concerned. III the cele-
hrated "Dehs case" the United States
supreme court In most sweeping terms.
and unanimously. declared that the fed
cral government has widest powers TO
prevent physical ohStruct!onS Il! least
TO Interstate commerce AMI transpor-
tation of mails.
Eugene V. Debs ana othcEs OF the
American Railway Association were de-
PENDANTS in an injunction SnIt :ilcd by
the United States district attorney nj
Chicago. by direction of Attorn"y-Gnn-
cral Richard ulney. in 1924 during the
strike against III. Pullman company.
An injunction was granted by the fed
"ral court cujoininr the defendants
from Interfering with or obStructinE
Interstate commerce. even 10 the extent
Of soliciting Strik" h"":tk"rS or loyal
WOrkrnen at the Pullman plant. Dc.s
was convicted and sentenced To imprlS-
onmrnt fer violating the injunction. He
brought habenS corpus proceeding 10
tho court.