New-York tribune., 1919-08-29
in an orderly manner without suspen-

sion Of work.
s'The strike Is also an Illegal strike
under the laws Of the organizations to
which the strikers belong and has been
70 characterized by the chief execu-
tives of those organizations.
Ample Time Is Given
"The chief executives of these or
Eanfzations stated that they be-
lieved they could induce their men
to go back to work and urged that
they be given time to enable them to
do this. The Railroad Administra~
tion has given the time for this pur-
pose. The Director General has also
by publication in the newspapers Of
San Francisco and Los Angeles, urged
upon the striker the absence Of JUS
tification for their action and the
Importance of returning to work.
Nevertheless. many Of the strik-
ers have not yet returned to work.
and to large extent the public SER
vice which the government must
render to the public is at a stand
still. It follows that the only course
which the government can adopt is
to exercise its entire power for the
purpose of rendering the PUBLIC SER
vice, and the President has 50 in
structed
"All striking employees who do not
report for duty on and after o'clock
on Saturday morning, August 80,
when and as called for duty, will be
regarded as having terminated their
employment and their places will be
filled.
Interference an Offenc.
"Any one who interferes with or
impedes the possession, use, opera
tion or control of any railroad prop
erty, or railroad undor Federal con-
troll commits an offence against the
United States, punishable by fine and
imprisonment, and will be arrested
and prosecuted accordingly.
ANY one who obstructs or attacks
assist in the possession, use, opera
tion or control of any railroad under
Federal control will be guilty of the
offence described, and will be dealt
with accordingly.
ANY one who obstructs or retards
the passage of the mail or any vehi-
Gle or person carrying the same like
wise commits an offence against the
United States, punishable by fine and
Nprisonment, and will be arrested
and prosecuted accordingly. Instruc-
tions have been issued to the United
States District Attorneys and to the
United States Marshal to take the
necessary steps to enforce these pro-
visions of the statutes of the United
States.
Asks Officials for Aid
"The Governors of the states in
volved, the Mayors of the cities in
volved, and all other state and local
police officers, are relied upon to
lend assistance in the performance
Of the public service as above out
lined in every possible manner, in
cluding giving aid in the enforce
ment of the statutory provisions
above referred to, and also in en-
forcing all state statutes, municipal
ordinances and other local public reg
ulations which will aid in protecting
the railroad property and it's opera
ton, and In protecting those assist
ing or endeavoring to assist in the
operation of the railroads"
The strike of the railway workers
on the Southern Pacific, Santa Fe &
oaft Lake lines, With is tying up
transportation in three states, origi-
mated several days ago in the demand
Of the railwaymen that striking en-
p.oyes of the Pacific Electric Company
and the Los Angeles Railway inter-
urban lines be taken back without
prejudice. When the operating Off
cials of those lines refused to comply
with the demand the raiwaymen
walked out in sympathy. The strike
spread gradually until it practically
stopped passenger and freight service
n the three states affected
The action of the Director General
'ollewed Il decision by the railway
hopmen's executive committee, who
o-day rushed circular letter to all
heir local unions urging them not to
avor peremptory strike declaration.
Advise Against Strike
In their letter of advice the leaders
admit that with the Accent raise con-
seded by the railway administration
hey are practically on par with all
other railway employees. and point out
that if the shopmen strike now they
will be striking for new general in
crease in advance of any final decision
by other railway employees organiza-
lions as to what they shall do in the
way of enforcing their demands for a
new general increase all along the line.
1T is conceivable says the circular,
that the men may decide to do a
thing in a manner that will lessen
their chances of ultimate success, but
common sense dictates that % per cent
OF the railroad employees should not
tight the battle for the 78 per cent
who have asked for a general wage in
crease, and who have been denied, as
we have been, any further general in
creases, unless the effort to increase
the purchasing power Of the dollar bv
reducing living costs prove unsuccess-
full.
Would Wait for Wilson
The leaders take the position that
President Wilson has promised to Get
Item what they want by reducing liy-
/ costs instead of by raising nominal
pay, and that he should be given a
reasonable period, which is placed at
ninety days, to get results. After that
II results are not forthcoming, they
say, will be the time to strike to en-
force wage increase, so they want
the men to leave to them the determi
The railway wage problem. the
Plumb plan and the paneral nositior