New-York tribune., 1920-04-29
Assistant u. S. Attorney
General Says Criminal
Action Will Be Begun
in Jersey Immediately
Names of Leaders
Given Grand Jury
Proceedings Nation-Wide:
Maximum Penalty Is
$1,000 Fine, Two Years

The United States government will
start criminal proceedings TODAY
against the persons held responsible
FOR the unauthorized railroad strike in
the vicinity of New York.
This announcement was made bv AS
sistant Attorney General Charles 3.
Ames last night at the conclusion of
his inquiry into the series of recent
walk-outs that have been Gripping the
business of the port.
Mr.. Ames declared that in the course
OF the investigation evidence had been
found tending to show that the Lever
food act had been violated and that
the identity of those responsible for
the trouble has been established by
agents of the Department of Justice.
Their names, he said, Immediately will
be placed before the Federal grand
jury in New Jersey for action, and
their arrest may be expected shortly
thereafter
Action Is Nationwide
Similar prosecutions, he said, are
now being pushed against insurgent
leaders in Chicago, New Orleans. Salt
Lake City and Los Angeles, the gov
eminent in each instance holding that
the Lever act was violated through in
terruption in the distribution Of food
stuffs and other necessaries of life bv
the concerted action of the strikers
The maximum penalty for this offense
Is $4,000 fine and two years imprison-
ment.
Joseph L. Bodine, United States Dis
trict Attorney for New jersey, said
the Federal grand jury in that dis
trct was now in session at Newark
and that the names of those believed
responsible for the stoppages at the
New Jersey railroad terminals will be
presented to the body to-day. United
State, District Attorney Francis G.
Cafcy declared that prosecutions in
New York will be stayed for the pres
cnt pending the outcome of the New
jersey proceedings.
ne governments decision was made
pubic by Mr.. Ames in connection with
statement issued at the end of a
snrles or conferences with the rail
road, industrial and labor leaders in
VOWED in the walk-outs. None of the
l.sIrgents, however, were summoned
ter examination.
nr. Ames believes that the contro-
veTsy between the longshoremen and
tf. coastwise shipping lines is possible
o. adjustment without legal recourse
He has requested the Representatives
OF the Merchants Association, the New
York State Chamber of Commerce and
other commercial bodies to select a
committee to confer with both sides
and render a decision. He thinks that
noth the labor leaders and the ship
owners will agree to the proposition.
Seeking for Collusion
Mr.. Ames further declared that while
there was no evidence to prove collu-
SION between the workers on the coast
wise lines and the railroad marine
strikers, the authorities were not so
sure Of the action of the truckmen and
hsh handlers, who are charged with
combining to boycott fish caught and
consigned by non-union fishermen. This
matter, he stated. will be further in
sestigated. His statement reads:
! have discussed this matter at great
length with representatives of the
longshoremen and of the steamship
lines involved in the coasts mrise trade.
believe that the situation is possible
o. adjustment without legal proceed
'ngs by the Department of Justice and
that an adjustment is far better than
any legal remedy that may be applied.
therefore, before reaching any con-
cluslon as TO the course which the De-
partnent Of Justice should pursue, |
have requested the representatives of
the Merchants Association. the Cham
Der of Commerce of the State of New
York and the other chambers Of COM
inerce with which We have been in con-
ference TO select a committee Of repre-
sentative citizens to make final effort
TO settle the matter fairly to all the
interests involved. Such a committee,
approaching the matter with an open
mind and representing the public in
terest. can confer fully with both sides
and reach just conclusion, which
trust viii be accepted.
Il am pleased TO say that the com
rnerclal organizations have consented to
thIs course, and such a committee will
Continued on psgs FOUR