The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1921-10-21
TROOPS GET READY
To RUN RAILROADS
To Round Up Officers and Men
With Ex leFie ice.
HARDING WORKING FOR Truce
Ben Hooper Arrives in Chicago With
the Presidents Plans for Settle
ment-Daugherty Says Gov
eminent Will Act Promptly.

Washington, Oct. 1S.-The first def
mite indication OF how the admins
tratiOn plans to cope with the threat
ened railroad strike was given by AT
torney General Daugherty.
Discussing the possible means by
which the government might enforce
decisions of the railroad labor board,
the attorney general said:
1.-THE transportation law, by which
the board was created, must be con-
strued with another law"
And then, referring to his confer
ence with the public group of the
board, Mr.. Daugherty added signifi-
cantly:
eve discussed the transportation
act, certain decisions of the United
States Supreme court and cases re-
specting prosecutions for conspiracy.
Will Act Promptly.
unless the situation changes the
department will have nothing to say
for publication until it may be called
upon to act. At that time, if it comes,
we will try to take such action as
may be necessary and as promptly
as the situation requires.
I'VE are thinking of the people on
both sides, of course, all the time
But the people we are thinking the
most about are the people entitled to
the railroad facilities They are our
real clients"
Indications that the administration
is preparing to take over the railroads
and run trains with United States
troops in the event of a strike were
seen when the War department in
structed army commanders in several
corps areas to report at once names
of all officers and men who have had
experience in railroading.
Definite action to bring the situa-
ton to a head was taken by the adj
ministration when the railway wage
board summoned the chiefs of all five
brotherhoods to Chicago Thursday to
explain why they have failed to obey
rulings OF the board.
1t was predicted the board soon will
issue a call to railroad executives for
conference at which the executives
may explain their failure to obey man
dates.
Arbiter in Chicago.
Chicago, Oct. 19.-Peace definitely
loomed in the railway labor crisis
with the arrival in Chicago of former
Governor Benjamin w. Hooper of the
public group Of the railway labor
board, with President Harding's plans
for nonstrike settlement. The Presi-
dents proposals include:
The immediate withdrawal of strike
orders already voted by FIVE brother
hoods. a.a
The deferring Of action on strike
order by the eleven Federation of
Labor unions meeting here.
The assurance by all railroads that
no applications for further wage re-
AUCTIONS are to be made at this time.
An immediate reduction of all rail.
road rates by The Interstate Com
lnerce Commission to offset the wage
reductions of 1879 per cent of July
/.
49, Truce Aim OF Harding.
THE proposals of the President have
been formulated with an eye to effect
ing a truce," Mr.. Hooper said. 1.-THE
Presidents primary intention is to
avert hasty action on All sides and to
afford a breathing spell in which the
whole matter can be sanely and
thoroughly debated
'Forestallhis the strike and cut
ting rates at this time means great
deal to American business. as a. whole.
It will also mean a general lowering
of the high cost of living"
The other two members of the
public group of the railway labor
board arrived in Chicago this morning.
They are Judge r.. IL. Barton chair
man, and g. ". Hanger.
I'VE are going into our conference
absolutely unbound by any previous
agreements" said ]. ]. Farman, IN
temational vice president of the main
tenance Of way men. Talk Of a
split with the big four is ridieu-
lous. We have no common under
standing on which to split