The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-04-17
s81 SUMTER. S. c., SATURDAY, APRIL II, 1920
FORCE AGAINST
LAWLESSNESS
Said In Washington That Gov
ernment Will Not Permit
Unauthorized Strike to
Demoralize Country

Washington, April l2.-Determina-
ton Of the governments course in
the railroad strike crisis tonight
awaited further information from
field agents of the Department of JUS
tice
Attorney. General Palmer, ate"
numerous conferences with govern
Hlent officials, said that a dec,S:;n
might be reached tomorrow, adding
that the government would not sl1lrl.
its responsibility.
Meanwhile Official announcements
was made tonight at the White House
that President Wilson would Send TO
the senate tomorrow the ram2s oi
nine members Of the Railway Lab"-
Board, created by the transportation
act
Fralncrs of the transportation act,
including Chairman Cammins Of tilt
senate interstate commerce conai,--
tee were firm in the opinion that tho
labor board would prove an effective
agency to deal with the present ra-l
way crisis For that reason. Senator
Cummins' committee deferred action
on proposals for a congressional IN
quiry into the strike.
Independent Of either of the inveS-
tigation by the department Of justice
or the creation of the labor board
the government entered the strike
situation directly today through ord
ers sent by the postoffice department
to its inspectors and railway mail oi1-
Gals throughout the country FOR
prompt reports on any obstruction or
delay Of the mails.
Many official reports from strike
centers have indicated Industrial
Workers of the World in connection
! with the railway situation and OFF,
| Gals said it was proposed to deter
mine definitely whether this or any
other organization was carrying ou; &
program that would bring it within
reach of federal statutes. Not only
it was said, would such activity be
dealt with sumnarily if the facts war
ranted legal proceedings but steps
would be taken to prevent extension
Of the unrest among railway men TO
any other industry.
In discussing the attitude OF the
government in the crisis. Mr.. Palmer
| declared that if federal action was
taken the government would not enter
The controversy as supporter Of eth
er the: strikers or the railroad COM
panies. It's action, he said. would be
governed entirely by its responsibility
to the people "by whom the govern
nent was created and whom it was
10 serve.
It was Indicated again today that
, the department. might employ crinlin-
q! statutes if il decided on legal pro-
ceedings. Injunction proceedings, sim
liar to those in the bituniinous coal
strike were not being considered, II
vas aid because Of the peculiar condI
tons under which Intervention mus
take place if j. is ordered.
Agents OF the department reported
7. w. W. fermentation in 4 score O.:
trouble centers, Officials declared.
They were said also to have revealed
that members of that organization are
offering financial as we'll rs moral
support to the cause of the strikers.
Federal district attorneys and field
agents were instructed TO deal with
individuals and firms making eNorbi-
tant profits out of the situation" un-
der the profiteering statutes
The motor transport corps of the
army is ready to move to the aid OF
any city imperiled" by the strike. ac-
cording to announcement by the coun-
Gil Of national defense.
Vigorous action will be taken II
! there is any interference with the
TRANSFORMATION OF the mails as a result
Of the railroad strikes. it was an
nounced today ut the poStoftice de
! partment
Otto Pracgcr, second assistant post
master general. has sent the following
telegram Of instruction to all sup"r-
intendents of the railway service:
Instruct all chief clerks, transfer
clerks and others to report any OBJ
struct ors, directly or indirectly, by
conspiracy or otherwise with passage
of mails as result Of strikes, together
with names of person or persons in
volved. Bring to immediate attention.
of local postoffice inspectors. inspector
in charge and United States district
attorney with request that offenders
be vigorously prosecuted if facts war
rant. See Sections 1890, 11lt and
l71S postal laws"
Reports TO the postof1ics depart
ment were. encouraging. Chicago re-
ported that local conditions were
VERY good" and that the railway
companies handling al mails prompt
ly.''