Evening journal., 1920-04-09
$4,000 RAIL men
ARE ON STRIKE
Continued From First Page.

ton carefully. with view 10 having
his committee. II necessary. see what
Congress can do.
Senator Mccormick, Illinois, who yes
terday introduced resolution for SEN
ate investigation OF the strike planned
10 ask that the co.lmlttee on contingent
expenses consider II at once so that The
committee on contingent expenses con-
Investigation may get under way by
Monday is possible.
McCormicx's charge in the Senate that
President Wilson was TO blame for the
strike because he had not appointed the
adjustment board set up by the Esch-
Cummlns hill TO handle labor contro-
versies appeared likely TO start another
partisan fight.
Democratic Senator's resented the
charge and declared that inability 10
ind a representative OF the public who
would accept a position on the board
was the reason II was not appointed
long ago.
Senator'S said they were disturbed at
the "Bolshevik" character OF the strike
In which the workers refused TO heed
the pleas OF their union leaders not 70
walkout. That appeared to indicate
that some radical force. stronger han
The union leaders had been able to
Gel control OF the men, Senator's said.
The idea that the government might
have to take over the railroads II the
strike continued did not appear 10 I'M
press Senators. They said that Is not
ihe way to handle the problem.
senator Mccormick, In whose state
The strike originated declared that un-
less the executive branch OF the gov
ernment acts promptly Congress must
take the reins and hancle the situa-
tion before Il causes serious food short
ages. because OF the tying up OF trains
carrying foodstuffs.
Leaders of the A. F. OF L.. refuse
10 admit that the strike Is as seri-
Gus as the news accounts Indicate.
They expressed confidence that the reg
ularly organized unions Will be able TO
control the situation which Is regard
ed merely as the outburst OF a dlsaf-
fected few posing as leaders. All Of
fclals here class the strike as "out-
lawed." They emphasize that the rail-
road workers have waited long for wage
increases.
The other government agencies be-
sides the Justice Department were fol-
lowing developments. The United
States board OF mediation OF concil-
latcn was awaiting a report from AS
slstant Commissioner G. w. w. Han
gar. who arrived In Chicago yesterday.
Hangar was given orders TO mediate n
possible. The Cancellation bereau OF
the Labor Department was kept In
touch through Director Hugh Kerwin
who went 10 Chicago several days ago
10 adjust a strike in the packing in
dustry. Kerwln asserted that Chicago |
strike reports exaggerated the num-
Der OF men out.
The strike is almost certain 10 In
crease prices throughout the country. |
economic experts agreed here today.
"Intorference with transportation |
nearly always increases prices" said
Or. Royal Meeker. head OF the stalls |
tics bureau ~ the Labor Department.
Il don't know exactly what effect this
strike will have beoause ! have moi
studied tt carefully"
Prices OF perlshable foods already
are soaring in Chicago and other olties
reports received Rere today
showed.
The strike probably will AFFECT
more people directly than a walkout
OF any other class OF workers" said
Cunningham, OF the con-
ciliaiion bureau, Labor Department.
'The effect Of transportation strike
is speedy and direct. II continued fo-
any length OF time transportation
strike is likely 10 close factories and
cause a fuel famine"