Arizona republican., 1920-04-13
GOVERNMENT COURSE TO BE DECIDED UPON TODAY, SAYS PALMER.
Republican A. p. Leased WireJ

WASHINGTON, April 12.-Determi- nation of the governments course in the railroad strike crisis tonight waited further information from de- partment of justice agents.
 Attorney General Palmer, after con- ferences with government officials, said a decision might be reached to- morrow, adding that the government would not shirk it's responsibility
 Meanwhile, the White House tonight announced that President Wilson would send to the senate tomorrow the names of nine members of the railway labor board, created by the transpor- tation act. Nominations had been de- Iayed. it was added. by time taken in selecting representatives of the public on the board to insure getting the right men.
 Men selected for that group had not signified tonight their willingness to act. it was said
 FramerS of the transportation act including Chairman CumminS of the senate interstate commerce commit tee, were firm in the opinion that the labor board would prove an effective agency to deal with the railroad crisis. For that reason his committee de- ferred action on proposals for con- gressional inquiry into the strike
 The government today sent orders through the postoffice department to its inspectors and railway mail of ficials for prompt reports on any ob- struction delay of the mails.
 The department of justice would be asked for immediate prosecution under statutes governing mail transportation, the telegramS stated.
 Delay in formulating a program for government action under the Lever food control act. was said by depart ment of justice officials to be due to a desire for fuller knowledge as to the agencies which caused the unauthor- ized walkouts- Many official reports from strike centers have indicated activity of the industrial workers of the world. and officials said that it was proposed to determine whether this or any other organization was carrying out q program that would bring 1t within reach of federal statutes
 MT. Palmer declared that if federal action was taken. the government would not enter the controversy as supporter of either side. It's action, he said. would be governed by it's re- sponsibiNty to the people.
 It was indicated again that the de- partment might employ criminal statutes if it decided on legal pro ceedings. Injunction proceedings were not being considered, it was said.
 Agents of the department re-
 ported I. w. w. fermentation in a
 score of places. officials declared.
 They were said also to have re-
 vealed that members of that or
 ganizaton were offering financial
 and moral support to the strikers.
 Officials also had under considera ton measures for feeding comrnuni- ties which might be cut off by the strike.
 Federal district attorneys and field agents were instructed to deal with in dviiduals and firms firms making exor- bitant profits out Of the situation under the profiteering statutes.
 With respect to movement Of the mails and emergency food supplies. Mir. Palmer said it had been suggested that the government resort to motor transportation
 The army transport service of the army is ready to move to the aid of any city imperiled" by the strike, ac- cording to announcement by the coun ell of national defense.