Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-12
OFFICIALS
EXPECTED RADICAL
LABOR MEN T0ACI
Mr.. Palmer Prepares for
Prosecution-WiII Avoid
Rail Union Hostility.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Open rebellion on the railroads Of the
country has given the government a
problem even more complicated than
the coal strike.
It was not a sudden revolt. Trouble
has been brewing for many weeks and
the Department of Justice has been
watching certain radical leaders who
have been fomenting mutiny. AS a
matter of fact. the department expect
ed break in another industry to oc-
cur before the railroad men struck.
It was a day of Il told you so" at
the Department of Justice. where the
railroad strike was attributed entirely
to the conspiracy Of radicals" and
"bolshevists," who have begun a pro-
cess of boring from within" in an
effort to overthrow the more sensible
and conservative leaders Of organized
labor.
I'VE have been warning the country
against the activity of radicals" said
one official Of the department. but
we have been accused OF seeing
things and exaggerating."
Officials pointed out that while the
number of men out on strike was not
considerable. it was possible for any
small number to tie up the transpor'
tation systems of the country, es-
pecially when adopting guerrilla war
fare tactics Of suspending work with
out notice.
MT. PaImer's Return.
Attorney General Palmer got back
to Washington from georgia and be-
gan examining the reports of conf.
Dental agents to see what evidence
had been collected on which prosecu-
tions can be based. If it is found that
a conspiracy exists indictments will
be asked against the leaders who par
ticipated, but it Is also quite possible
that the government may proceed
against individual strikers on the
ground that they have interrupted
the transportation of the nations food
supply. The Lever act still holds
good and it is a lucky thing that the
peace resolution framed by the House
has not yet passed the Senate or beer
put on the statute books, for the De.
partment of Justice will try to make
use OF some war time laws in hand
ling the present situation on the rail.
roads.
Inquiry at all the government de-
payments where information might
possibly be collected concerning the
strike develops the fact that the out
! break on the railroads was pre-
meditated. and that the dismissal OF
a conductor on western railroad was
simply a pretext.
Inside the RAILROAD brotherhoods. a
persistent euOrt mas been made to dis
lodge William G. Lee, veteran leader
of the railroad men. and the failure
| Of the latter to secure increases in
wages in his negotiations with the
railroad administration and railroad d
employers has given the Insurgents
food for revolt.
Companion With Coal Strike.
| This situation is hardly parallel to
the coal strike though in many OF
| its aspects there are points OF
similarity. The government then pro-
ceeded by injunction against a group OF
| leaders who presented radical de-
mands. put had the rank and file in
| their control.
! There was some doubt of the sin
| cerity or the union leaders when
| their men refused to go back to
work. In spite of formal notice that
the strike had ceased. There is no
DOUBT today of the sincerity Of the
appeals of the brotherhood chiefs
| who are successfully urging the ma
| 5ority OF their men to stay loyalty at
their posts.
| In formulating a policy. the gov
ernment. therefore. finds 1t neces-
sary to be careful not to adopt sweep
ing measures that will offend the
loyal union men. Any effort to prose-
cute individuals will be fraught with
many dangers. The brotherhoods
Wouid prefer to do their own disci-
| plinfng. and 1t is not impro ba BILE that
before drastic action is taken con-
J ferences will be held with the loyal
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