The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-04-11
Railway Traffic is Paralyzed as
Thousands Join Ranks Of Striking
Switchmen from Coast to Coast; All
Efforts of Brotherhood Leaders to
Check WaIkout are Proving Abortive

Washington, Aprn IO.--Should the
strike Of railroad employees threaten
a paralysis OF transportation the fed
eral government would have to inter.
venc it vas said today by high ad-
mir.suation officials.
The strike is not regarded as hav-
ing reaccd that stage however and
government officers who are keeping
ia close touch with the situation are
Of the opinion that the authorized
eadcrs OF the unions will be able TO
control without government nterfer-
cncc.
Some officials said they would not
be- surprised f the rapidly spreading
strike result in = showdown between
the union officers and those leading
the strike. officials declared that this
was MS good tine as any for the
test ot strength.
President Wilson lis being Rept ad-
vis'd as 10 duyolopmcnts He still is
at work ON the appointment of tho
railroad labor board. but White House
officials said It was difficult to find
the right man 10 represent tho public.
orders went ont today to United
States district attorneys to investigate
the Unauthorized" railroad strike in
thoi rdisuicts, to determine whether
. there Las been any Joint action" de.
signed to interfere with the distr.bu.
/ tion OF necessities of life, or whether
such Interference was contemplated.
Attorney General Palmer who IS at
Savannah. Ga, in making this an.
nouncement said that such "jo.nt ac.
tom would be unlawful.
He added that the federal govern.
Inont woui take no steps until a care.
/ ful inquiry had been made TO as,or.
taln the exact facts Mr. Palmer win
he IN the south for several days ana
/ mas instructed Assistant Attorney
General Ames to act on his own ule-
/ ment should the situation be found ia
/ warrant it.
Mr.. Ames steadfaslly refused to
comment on developments in the
strike situation.
Il am not prepared to say anvtbin-
relative to reported governmental 40.
'oh IN the strike" MIR. Ames said.
Although the strike was apparent.
Iy was spreading rapidly. epeclaIly in
INC middle west. administration off
Gals believed the authorized lea lers
OF the railroad unions would he able
to cortrol the situation without the
governments interference. Govern.
ment machinery. however was ready
to move should this finally be decided
upon What the first step would ne
was not decided.
The senate interstate comrnorco
committee completed plans today for
/ .ta INVESTIGATION OF the strike. Hear.
'ncs viii begin Tucs5ay with Iorn
trnou PRECEDENT Of the Chicaco
Nar'm'n's Association and loade. Of
'hc striking forces in CHICAGO. as
Pc OF the first witnesses. Chairman
oummins announced Others T. be
ncord VII include A. y. Whitney.
vice president Of the Brotherhood Of
Railroad Trainmen ana officials OF
the Chicago, Milwaukee and st. Paul
railroad.
Officers Of the railroad shop crafts
affiHu'ed with the American Fed.
Grafton of Labor refused to discuss
he strike Samuel Gompers. prosi-
dent of thief c1crati1n. has gon, TO
Cleveland. Headquarters of the ira m.
mons union, to discuss the general
situation with tho brotherhood chiefs
Reserve supplies of foodstuffs at
Continued on Page Five