Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1921-10-28
j. 5. MOVES To
HALT RAIL STRIKE
Attorney General Outlines Pro-
gram to Prevent Tieup OF
Transportation Facilities.
PUBLIC RIGHTS FIRST
Department of Justice Ignores Merits
of Matters in Dispute-Intimates
Conspiracy Laws Violated by
General WaIkout.

WdSIluS LCu-A pIOSIdm LOI COA-
certed action and harmony OF effort"
to prevent tieup of the transporta-
ton facilities of the country in the
event of railroad strike was decided
on by Attorney General Daugherty in
conference with United States district
attorneys from five cities
The district attorneys who met with
i the Attorney General were Hayward,
New York; Slyne, Chicago; Wertz,
Cleveland; Lockwood, Buffalo, and
Van Mugs of indianapolis.
Government tt Protect Itself.
Processing his disbelief in the posi-
bility of a general railroad strike ma
terializing, Mr.. Daugherty declared the
conference was called for an under
standing in any emergency" Beyond
mention Of the conspiracy laws he did
not discuss the details of the depart
ment's plan, but indicated that it was
believed, on the strength Of Supreme
court decisions, that the government
has the inherent right to protect itself
from paralysis of the country's trans
portation facilities and the power to
use any laws applicable to accomplish
that end
''The district attorneys came here"
Mr.. Daugherty said, 'for conference
and an understanding in any event and
in any emergency"
Must Be Prepared.
81 still don't believe there will be
any strike, but it is the duty of the De-
partment of Justice to be prepared
I'VE did not discuss the merits Of
matters in dispute between the rail
roads and the employees who have
threatened to strike. The Department
Of Justice takes the position that it
has nothing to do with the merits Of
the controversy and probably at no
time would the merits enter into it's
policy.
Certain Rights Conceded.
"The department probably would
concede that the men have right to
strike, that they even have the right
to strike in groups. But it would not
say they can strike in groups through
out the country without violating the
conspiracy laws by antagonizing he
government of the United States
"The department would not concede
there would be no violation of the con-
spiracy statutes for great body of
men all over the country to agree to
paralyze it's transportation facilities.
The department would say they could
strike peaceably, but when it comes to
the governments interests and the in
terests of the public in these facilities
the government has the power, right
and duty to see that the owners of the
railroads give the American people the
! service they are entitled to.
Concerted Action Planned.
More people are interested in the
transportation facilities than there are
in the controversy, regardless of who
is right or who is wrong. This confer
ence was for the purpose of obtaining
concerted action and harmony OF
effort, to the end that the railroads
may give continued service without
any interruption and in order that the
public may be served.
1T is the duty of the department to
provide for the transportation of peo-
pie who travel and the transportation
Of food and fuel with winter coming
on. The government has the power
and ample authority. It will be prompt
and as reasonable as it can, but these
arteries of commerce must continue to
serve the people. Property must be
protected, life preserved and order
maintained and the government is big
enough to see that this is accom-
plished"
Before meeting with the district at
torneys, Mr.. Daugherty called at the
White House and is understood to
have received President Harding's APP
prevail Of the Departments plan.