The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-04-14
CABINET FACES
|. ". W. PHASE
Strike Situation Occupies At
tention-ConcIusio Not
Disclosed.
R. R. BOARD SUMMONED

Washington, April 14.--President
Wilson and his cabinet discussed the
railroad strike for more than All hour
today and apparently reached some
conclusion. but there was no intimation
as to it's nature.
Atty. Gen. Palmer made this state |
ment as he left the White House; 1T
is fair TO conclude that the strike situ-
alton was discussed, but | am not pre-
pared 10 say what conclusions were
reached"
Other members OF the cabinet would
make no statement, referring inquirers
10 the attorney general. some inu-
mated, however, that DEFINITE decision
had been made one way or another as
to government intervention.
While no announcement has been
made here as to the governments at
titude, the raid OF a strikers meeting
In New orleans last night by depart
sultant arrest OF aight alleged strike
movement leaders was taken In some
quarters ms indicative OF the course
which win be pursued The New Orr
leans raid was made on warrants is
sued under the Lever act charging In
reference with the distribution OF es-
sential food supplies. and under fed
eral statutes alleging interference with
the mails.
Government agents, who have been
watching developments nj all strike
centers for the past week, are under
stood to have come to the definite con-
clusion that the strike Is being given
the moral and, In all probability, some
financial support OF the !. w. w. Evil
dence has been obtained, reports to
the department OF justice Indicated to-
day, that the radical organization
planned to use the strike ms an OPEN
Ing wedge for its long threatened In
dustrial reyolution
Decreasing supplies of food stocks IN
several large cities led the war depart-
ment last night to throw open TO the
public Its large reserves OF frozen and
through municipal and state agencies
at prices far less than those prevailing
In the open market. Officers have been
specially detailed to the work OF dis
tribution.
Rumor General Strike.
Reports that an effort IL being made
to expand the railroad strike into u
general strike reached the. department
of Justice this afternoon from agents
In the field. II was reported that agl-
tators are attempting TO no extend the
strike organization as TO embrace othor
industries. Investigation alpnS tfeke
Ines is being made.
Another report reaching the dcpnrt-
,nent Of justice was to the erect thht
John Grunau, leader OF the strike IN
Chicago, had been deposed TO be re-
placed by man OF more extreme
Gall New Labor board,
Soon after the cabinet meeting, the
preslaeut telcgraphed tho members or
the newly named railroad labor board
asking them 70 come 70 Whshington
and Dc prepared 10 FUNCTION ~ soon ~ !.
their nominations had been cunnf1neu
70 Wears Business Suit. SIS
The president, wearing pusiness
suit. greeted the members or ms oi.
ficial family as they. were uHhered INTO
hIs study, In opening the session he
took 4 seat behind a big desk and the
cabinet officers were grouped IN semi.
circle In front of him In the order OF
their rank.
Rear Admiral Grayson, the prcsidenrs
physcian said n ,he h, hpresldde,n. .dy,sern sau en-
.It did him good" declared DIR, Gray
SON. adding that meeting people was
good for Mr., Wilson.
Cabinet officers declared the president
had been in excellent humor ana % hau
expect that meetings OF the cabinet
viii be held weekly In the future.
Plan Wage increases.
II was learned that plan was ais
cussed for providing ,mmediase IN.
as one means OF discouraging the pres
ent strike and forestallIng further
strikes.
Under the plan discussed the rail-
road labor board, upon confirmation by
the senate will meet with Atty. .Gen.
Palmer and Secretary of Labor Wilson
and agree upon wage ndJustment
which will become effective ~ once ana
remain In force until the railroad labor
board can mako fnai adjustment OF
the wage question"
Judge G. IL, Amea, assistant Attorney
general, stated this afternoon thnt re.
ports today TO the department. OF JUS
tiee Indicate that the conditions In the
strike are greatly improved.
Each member OF the cabinet. as he
emerged from the presidents private
study. where the meeting was held, re.
marked on the presidents fine appear
ance. He presided throughout the en-
tire session and, cabinet member said,
did not seem to tire In the least.
In fact. all agreed the preaident
seems up TO his old time form. He APP
peared very well and IN q happy frame
Of mind. lie Ioked with the members OF
his official family as In the olden days.
Tho president was seated ut his desk
when the members of the cabinet en-
tered. lie greeted each man by name
and shook them warmly by the hand.
The arrangement OF the study was al
most Identical with that of the regular
cabinet meeting room, the seating ar
rangement being about the same. The
secretary OF state sat on the presidents
right. the secretary OF the treasury on
the left, the other members taking
their seats In order Of seniority In q
semi-circle about the desk.
The probability In that the president
VIII hold weekly cabient meeting un-
tll the time when he leaves Washington
for his summer vacation. No Official
statement I'm this respect was made to-
day. however.
Criticised Appolntses.
Criticism of the appointeeH was said