New-York tribune., 1920-04-13

in interest, because Of its drastic pro-
visions. was the resolution drafted by
Senator Poindexter, Republican, of
Washington, which would make any ef-
fort to interfere with interstate COM
merce, by word or act, punishable by q
fine Of $4,000.
The Attorney General after numer-
Gus conferences with government Of
fcials. said tonight that decision on
a course Of action might be reached
tomorrow, adding that the "govern-
ment would not shrk it's RESPONSE
bility"
Independent of either the investiga-
tion by the Department of Justice or
the creation of the labor board, the
government entered the strike situ-
alton directly to-day through orders
sent by the Postoffice Department to it's
inspectors and railway ,cHs! officials
throughout the country for prompt re-
ports on any obstruction or delay Of
would be asked for immediate prosecu-
tions under statutes governing mail
transportation, the kilograms stated
Seek Causes of Walk-Out
Delay in formulating a program for
[
food control act to meet the strike
crisis was said to be due to a desire
for fuller knowledge as to the agencies
which caused the unauthorized walk
outs. Many official reports from strike
centers have indicated activity of the
Industrial Workers of the World in
connection with the railway situation
and officials said that it was proposed
to determine definitely whether this or
any other organization was carrying
out program that would bring It
within reach of Federal statutes. Not
only, 1T was added, would such activity
be dealt with summarily if the facts
warranted legal proceedings, but steps
would be taken to prevent extension Of
me unrest among railway men to anv
other industry.
1T was indicated again that the de-
partment might employ criminal stat
I u1es II 1T decided on legal proceedings.
injunction proceedings similar to thosa
in the bituminous coal strike. were not
Oelng considered, it was said. because
OF the peculiar conditions under which
intervention must take place if it ia
ordered. 80
Agents of the department reported
l. W.. W. fermentation in a score of
trouble centers. They were said also
to have revealed that members of that
l10AnClaI
well as moral support to the cause of
the strikers-but the extent of this
aid was not clear.
Inc food shortage had not reached
stage tonight whore outside helm
was necessary, but it served TO bring
the government face to face with the
prohlem of soaring prices
With respect to movement of the
mails and emergency food supplies,
mr.. Paine said it had been suggested
that the government resort to motor
transportation should there be an en-
tire stoppage of traffic. He added.
however, that the government rested
without turning to the extremity Of
transportation by highway.
Congress ovcrhowed with hot
speeches and bills aimed at preventing
sue strikes. ranking in "teeth' up
to one introduced by Senator Poin-
deX'er which would make the mere
suggestion to strike on interstate COM
merce unstable by line Of $4,000.
The general impression, however,
seems to be that there is enough law
on the books already to deal with
anything that the government ought
20 be permitted to punish.
Provisions of Poindexter Bill
The Poindexter bill to penalize in
tertercnce with commerce bv means Of
strikes. etc, provides as follows:
l. That whoever. with intent to
obstruct, delay, hinder, impede or
prevent the movement of commodi-
ties in interstate or foreign COM
merce, shall by word of mouth or by
the presentation, exhibition or circu-
lation of written or printed words or
otherwise solicit, advise, induce or
persuade or attempt to induce or
persuade or attempt to induce or
gagged in any capacity in the produc-
ton, care, maintenance or operation
of any means or agency Of such com
merce to quit such employment shall
be guilty of a felony, and shall be
punished by a fine not exceeding
$4,000 or by imprisonment not ex-
eeeeding ten years. or by both such
fine and imprisonment.
2. That whoever, by force or vio-
lence or by threats Of force or vio-
lence, tries to prevent any person
from engaging in employment or