The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-13

Washington. April 13. - President
Wilson today called a meeting of the
cabinet for tomorrow to discuss the
general strike situation"
White House officials would not say
that the unauthorized" railroad strike
has prompted the call. but it was un-
derstood that this would be the prin-
cipal subject discussed.
This is the first cabinet meeting
called by the president since he re-
turned from his western trip last Sep
tember "a very sick man. Since his
Illness he has seen only few mem
bers of his official family.
East Is Crippled.
5 With freight traffic in the east seri-
ously crippled, administra ton officials
regard the strike situation as very
serious The president has been kept
advised as to general conditions. At
torney General Palmer was studying
additional reports today from depart
ment of justice field agents and was
expected TO make a complete report
with recommendations to the execu-
tive. 1t was announced at the White
House the cabinet officers would as
semble in the presidents study instead
of meeting in the executive offices.
This will be the first gathering of
the cabinet since the resignation of
former Secretary Lansing on February
t3. after the president had rebuked
him for calling unofficial meetings of
the cabinet during Mr.. Wilson's ILL
ness.
Meets at Washington.
The board will be authorized to
meet in Washington at once to take
up the grievances of the railroad en-
ployes now on strike. The nominations
went to the senate at noon today and
prompt action by that body is ex-
pected.
sentatives, IS appointed for one year.
He is former mayor of Cincinnati
and u former member of the Ohio
house of representatives. During the
war he was a captain in the national
army. Since 1915 he has been a mem
ber of the board OF trustees of the
Cincinnati Southern railway, a city
owned utility. Mr.. Hangar, another
representative of the public, is named
for two years. He is assistant COM
missioner of the United States board
of mediation and conciliation, and as
n member Of that board has had con-
siderable experience in handling labor
disputes.
! Judge Barton. the third member. is
former judge Of the Tennessee court
Of appeals. and is appointed for three
years.
Under the transportation act. the
railroad labor board is the court OF
last resort in disputes between the
roads and their employees. Its first
work after considering the present
strike will be to take up the whole
railroad wage question. which has
been pending for nearly a year The
board is to establish permanent head
quarters at Chicago and its members
VIII devote all of their time to the
work. They will receive salaries OF
$4,000 year each.
Wires Roads for Names.
Attorney General Palmer wired
presidents of the Pennsylvania and
New York Central railroads asking
them for a complete list of strikers
and the names of the men believed
responsible for direction of the strike
Palmer's action was r. regarded as the
flrst step toward invoking criminal ac-
ton under the Lever law if it becomes
necessary.
Before the railroad labor board op-
crate. it must be confirmed by the
senate. The nominations of members
OF the board reached the senate
shortly after noon and were referred
10 the interstate commerce committee
me names were divided among
members of the committee who were
instructed to CHECK up" on uualifica.
tons OF the appointees. Senator Cum
minis. chairman of the committee. said
ne hoped the board would be con-
iirmed by tomorrow at the latest
once the board is confirmed. it car
Immediately begin investigation of tbs
outlaw railroad strike on its owr