The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-04-13
WILSON CABINET
CALLED TO MEET
President Issues First Call
Since He Returned From
West, Very III.
WILL DISCUSS STRIKE
Railroad Labor Board Named.
Represents Public, En-
ployes, Owners.

| Washington, April 13.-Presi.
dent Wilson today called a meet
| ing for tomorrow OF the cabinet
to discuss "the general situa.
tion."
White House officials said the pres
| ident. felt that he had recovered suf-
ficiently to meet with the cabinet
and It.. was indicated that hereafter
his official family would be called to-
gether at more or less stated inter-
walls.
White House officials would not
say that the "lnauthorized' railroad
strike has prompted the call. but 1t
was understood that this would be
the principal subject discussed.
This is the first cabinet meeting
called by the president since he re-
turned from his western trip last
September "a very sick man." Since
his illness he has seen only a few
members of his official family.
Barton, From Tennessee.
The railroad labor board was ap-
pointed today by President Wilson.
The members are:
Representing the public: George w.
Hangar, Washington; Henry Hunt
CINCINNATI; r. M. Barton, Tennessee.
Representing the railroads.; Horace
Baker ]. H. Elliott and William L.
Park. q
Representing the employees: Albert
Phillips, A. o. Wharton and James
j. Forester.
The board will be authorized to
meet in Washington at once to take
up the grievances of the railroad em-
ployes now on strike. The nomina-
tions went to the senate at noon to-
day and prompt action by that body
is expected
"Let Well Enough Alone"
1t was announced at the White
House that the administration had de-
cided that unless there are radical de-
velopments in the strike situation, the
president will leave the settlement Of
the strike to the railroad labor board,
"It has been decided to let well
enough alone for the present" one Off
cial explained. II the situation Is
placed in the hands of the officials,
indications point that the situation
will work itself out before any serious
consequences result.
u was plain at. the White House
however, that the government Is
if&fHfE{sng the progeess OF The STRIKE,
| Eand q conditions demand, there VIII be
government Intervention.
With freight traffic In the east Sc
riously crippled, administration OFF,
cials regard the strike situation as very
serious. The president has been ad-
vised as to general conditions.
Atty. Gen. Palmer was studying ad-
ditional reports from department Of
Justice, and was expected to make a
complete report, with recommendation
to the executive. 1t was announced at
the White House that the cabinet OIL
GERS would assemble in the presidents $
study Instead of meeting In the execu-
tive offices.
This will be the first gathering OF
the cabinet since the resignation OF
former Secretary of State Lansing.
Department of justice agents
throughout the country, who have been
watching every, new development in the
rail crisis, have reported their findings
for the information of officials, who
will determine the nature and course
of federal action, and were UNDERSTOOD
to be seeking particularly evidence oI
the connection of the l. w. w WIN
the strike movement.
Won't shIrk Responsibility.
The government will not shirk Its
responsibility" Mr.. Palmer says. NO
Interference with the mails VIII be per-
mitted, the postoffice department an
nounced formally, offenders being
warned that they would be prosecuiea
under the old federal statutes when
makes such action crime against the
federal government. ..
Under the transportation ACT, ths
railroad labor board is the court oI
last resort in disputes between tne
roads and their employees. It's nrst
work after considering the presen.
strike will be to take up the wnoie
railroad wage question, when mas oeen
pending for nearly year.
THE board is to establish permanent
headquarters at Chicago, ana It's mem
hers will devote all of their time 70 tne
work. They will receive salaries OF
$4,000 a year each. -
Mr. Hunt. one of the public represent
atiyes. Is appointed for one year. lie is
a former mayor of Cincinnati ana men-
ber of the Ohio house OF represents
tives. During the war ne was Sap ny
tain in the national army. since l'lo 70
he had been a member of the poaru OF
trustees of the Cincinnati Southern
railway. a city-owned utility. Mr.. Han
yer. another representative OF the pup
lie, Is named for two years. he Is as
sistant commissioner OF the unlteu
States board of mediation anu cohSilla
tion, and as a member OF that oody
has had considerable experience III
handling labor disputes:
Judge Barton, the third public MEM
ber, is former judge OF the IeIIless
see court of appeals. and Is appointed
for three years
Horace Baker. who Is appointed TO
represent the railroad executives Tor q
three-year term. is a former general
manager of the Cincinnati. New Orleans
& Texas Pacific railroad.
IT Elliott. Of Texas, is appointed for
two wears He formerly was general
manager OF the Texas & Pacinc rall-
road and subsequently was colonel IN
the transportation corps OF the A. II. =.
Mr.. PARK il Vice-president OF the
Chicago Great Western railroad and Is
appointed for one year.
Mr. phillips is vice-president OF the
Brotherhood Of Locomotive firemen
and Enginemen. He rs appointd Tor
three years. -
Mr. Wharton whose home is minis
souri,. IS an official OF the railway en-
ployes' department Of the American
Federation Of Labor and member OF
the board Of railway wages and work.
ing conditions Of the United States
railroad administration. His term rs for
two years.