New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-11
District Attorneys Ara Or
dered to Determine if
% joint Action'' TO Hold
Up Food Is Planned
Senate to Begin
Inquiry Tuesday
President Kept Advised of
Situation; May Organ
ize Motor Truck Service

WASHINGTON, April 10 (By The
Associated Press. ).-Orders went out
to-day to United States District Attor-
neys to investigate the "unauthorized"
railroad strikes in their districts. to
determine whether there had been any
JOINT action" designed to interfere
with the distribution of necessaries Of
life or whether such interference was
contemplated.
Attorney General Palmer, who is at
Savannah, Ca, in making this an
nouncement, said that such "joint ac.
tion" would be unlawful He added
that the Federal government would
take no steps until a careful inquiry
had been made to ascertain the exact
facts. Mr.. Palmer will be in the South
for several days, and has instructed
Assistant Attorney General Ames to
act on his own Judgment should the
situation be found to warrant it,
MI. Ames steadfastly refused to COM
ment on developments in the strike
situation.
81 am not prepared to say anything
relative to reported governmental ac-
l..
Government Ready to Act
Although the strike apparently was
spreading rapidly, particularly in the
Middle West, Administration officials
believed the authorized leaders of the
railroad unions would be able to con-
troll the situation without government
interference. Government machinery,
however, was ready to move should this
finally be decided upon. What the first
step would be was not indicated.
While Mr.. Ames refused to discuss
the situation. other officials of the de-
partment pointed out that two courses
of procedure were open if the govern
ment decided to take a hand in settling
the strike. The government, they said,
could seek criminal Indictments under
with interstate food shipments, or it
could employ methods similar to the
injunction proceedings of the bitumi-
nous coal strike.
Although there has been no stoppage
of United States mails, ACCORDING to
the reports of the department, It is
known that officials are watching strike
developments from that angle also.
Some officials said they would not be
surprised if the rapidly spreading
strikes resulted in showdown be-
tween the union officials and those
leading the strike. officials declared
this was as good time as any for the
test of strength
President Wilson is being kept adj
vised as TO developments.
Plans for organization of emergency
motor truck trans sportation lines, should
the strike interfere seriously with food
transportation, were considered to- dav
by the Council of National Defense.
Can Mobilize $4,000 Trucks
Herbert F. Shenton, acting secretary
of the council, declared that $4,000 gov
ernment owned trucks could be mobil-
lzed Tor such service on short notice.
Through the motor transport committee
of the council, Mr.. Shenton said. it
would be possible to mobilize. in addi-
ton to the government trucks, 1000 600
privately owned trucks. These, he said.
would enable the country "to face with
degree of cquanimity almost any
temporary failure of the railway sys-
tems.''
The Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee completed plans to-day for
its investigation of the strike Hear
ings will begin Tuesday, with John
Grunau, president of the Chicago
iardmen's Association and leader Of
the striking forces in Chicago, as one
Of the first witnesses, Chairman Cum
Minis announced. Others to be heard
Of the Brotherhood Of Railroad Train
men. and officials of the Chicago, Mil
waukee & st. Paul Railroad.
Officers Of the Railroad Shop Crafts.
affiliated with the American Federation
of Labor refused to discuss the strike
Reserve Food Supplies Depleted
Reserve supplies of foodstuTs at
principal distributing ccuters already
have been depleted as a result Of the
railroad strikes, the Department Of
Agriculture announced. Large ship
ments Of meats. livestock and produce
were in transit to-day. but "arrivas
will be more or less affected by local
strikes at junction points, a summary
issued by the department said
'Thc strike situation was reported
serious at New York" the announce
ment continued. Very little produce
was lightercd across from New Sersey
Friday or Saturday.
"At Chicago the supply OF various
commodities was reduced about so
per cent, with the possible exception
OF potatoes. Most roads were rcfus-
ing shipments, particularly in adjacent
territory.
"ln st. Louis and East st. Louis an
embargo was placed on practically all
express and freight both inbound and
outbound.
"At Kansas City IS per cent of the
railroad facilities were reported un-
available. Carlot dealers reported in
ability to distribute many cars of per-
ishable produce in the railroad yards
Others are being unloaded into trucks
and contents placed in warehouses;
"Thc Pittsburgh market is reported
not yet affected by the strikes, but
railroads at that point are not accept
ing billings west, and there is an en-
barge on shipments east
"Doaiers in Omaha arc reported not
anticipating that tho Stri,ns Will affect