Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-10-22
Administration To Call On
Department of Justice to
Take Action
WALKOUT FORBIDDEN
Workers Ordered Not to Leave Posts
Until Result of Conference Next
Wednesday is Announced.

Washington, Oct. 22.-The Fede-
ral Government, it was stated offic-
tally today, was not preparing to in
woke its technical wartime powers
in order to meet the railroad strike
crisis. 1t is, however, determined to
employ all its peace powers, first to
avert the strike, if possible, and if
not, to maintaip some degree Of
transportation during the period Of
the walkout.
The first move in that direction
was taken in Chicago today. it was
added, when the Railroad Labor
Board cited both the railroads and
teh employees now engaged in wage
controversy to appear before it for
a judicial determination whether or
not either or both are violating the
Transportation act.
If either or both may be found to
be guilty of such violation, the vio-
lators in all possibility will be pro-
ceeded against by the Department
of Justice. 1t remains for the de
partment to determine whether it
will seek an injunction at the hands
of Federal Court as the first step
in the proceedings.
1t is commonly agreed here that
if the board falls down on the vast
proposition before it, the Admins
tration will be forced to assume full
leadership in further meeting the
emergency. A president might wash
his hands of such a matter, it IS
agreed. but none would dare do so,
it is added. The country has only
it's government to look to in such Il
situation and the Government will
respond this time, if there is need,
lust as it did when President Wilson
acceded to the demands of the rail
road brotherhoods in 1916.
1t is not assumed for q minute III
official circles, however, that Presi-
dent Harding is prepared or pre-
airing to surrender to the dissatisfied
railway employees. His advisers still
insist that he will do nothing of the
sort; that he will put his back to
the wall. when the time comes, and
will invite strike rather than give
in to either the railroads or to the
men.
There has been general discussion
today of the power of the Prcsl-
dent, in emergencies, to take over
the railroads and operate them. 1t
has been found by legal authorities
of the War Department that under
the National Defense act of 1916,
such authority is given during q per,
iod of war. 1t was this law under
which President Wilson acted in
taking over the railroads early in
the war.
But, as already indicated. Presi-
dent Harding is disinclined to act
under any Of the technical war
powers. He hopes to bring the
state of war to an end within 10
days. he let it be known this after
noon.
Although the railway wage situa-
tion is less encouraging than it was
Administration officials are still of
the opinion that there will be no
strike.
All eyes for the time being are
turned upon Chicago, where the
Railroad Labor Board is seeking to
enforce the law under which that
body was created and which provides
that it's decisions as to rallraoG
wages shall be final.
If that effort fails, as did the in
formal conference between members
of the board and brotherhood lead
ers. the battle ground necessarily
will be transferred once more to
Washington.
1t is generally believed that the
President as a last resort, Will
summon leaders of all interests. to
White House conference in a final
effort to adjust the situation.