South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-04-11
ORDER PROBE
OF INSURGENT
RAIL STRIKES
ATTY. Gen. Palmer Tells Dis
trict Attorneys to Make
Investigation.
L. 5. READY TO ACT
Administration Officials Be-
lieve Union Heads Will be
Able to End WalkOut.

WASHINGTON, April 10.-Orders
went out today TO United States Dist.
Attorneys to investigate the unau-
thorized" railroad strikes in their
districts to determine whether there
has been any Joint action design
ed 10 interfere with the distribution
Of necessities OF life or whether such
interference was contemplated
Attorney General Palmer, who Is
ut savannah, Ca. in making this
announcement said that such 'jOint
action" would be unlawful. He ad-
ded that the federal government
would take no steps until a care
ful inquiry had been made 10 as
certain the exact facts. Mr. Palmer
will be in the south for several days
and has instructed Assistant AttOr-
ney General Ames TO act on his own
Judgment should the situation be
found TO warrant it.
Refuses TO Comment
Mr. Ames steadfastly refused 20
comment on developments in the
strike situation.
Although the strike apparently
was sprea ding rapidly, particularly
in the middle west, administration
officials believed the authorized lea
ders OF the railroad unions would be
able 10 control the situation without
government interference. Govern.
ment machinery. however. was ready
10 move should this finally be de-
cided upon. What the first step
would be was not indicated
Begin Hearings
The senate interstate commerce
committee completed plans today
for its investigation OF the strike.
Hearings Will begin Tuesday with
John Gruneau, president OF the Chi
cagO Yardmen's association and
leader Of the striking forces in Chi
cago. as one OF the first witnesses,
Chairman Cummings announced.
Others to be heard will include A
Whitney vice president OF the Bro
therhOod OF Railroad Trainmen and
officials of the Chicago, Milwaukee
and ST. Paul railroad.
OHcers OF the railroad shop drafts
affiliated with the American Fedora
tion Of Labor, refused TO discuss the
strike. Samuel GOmpers, president
of the federation, has gone 10 Cleye-
land. headquarters of the trainmen's
union 70 discuss the general situa-
ton with the brotherhood chiefs.
While Mr.. Ames refused TO dis
Cuss the situation, other officials Of
the department pointed out that two
courses OF procedure were open il
the government decided to take
hand in settling the strike. The
government. they said. could seek
criminal indictments under the
Lever act because OF interference
with interstate food shipments or
the injunction proceedings OF the hi
il could employ methods similar 20
luminous coal strike.
No Mail Stoppage
Although there has been no stop
page Of United States mails. accord
ing 20 the reports 20 the department,
IL IS known that officials are watch
ing strike developments from that
angle also. All plans will be held
in 0beyance. however, until the in
quiry ordered by Mr.. Palmer can be
carried out
Plans for organization of emer-
EenCy motor truck transportation
lines should the strike interfere ser
iously with food transportation were
considered today by the council Of
national defense.
Herbert r. Shenton. acting secre- I
tary of the council, declared that
5000 government owned trucks
could be modified for such service
ON short notice Through the motor
transport committee OF the council
Mr.. Shenton said. IL would be pos
sible 20 mobilize. IN addition 10 the
government trucks. 100000 pri-
vateIy owned trucks. These. he said.
would enable the country" 10 face
with a degree OF equanamitv almost
any temporary failure Of the rail-
read systems"
Supplies Depleted
Reserve supplies OF foodstIrs at
principal distributing Ceuters all
ready have been depleted as a re-
CONTINUED or PAGE FOURl