The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-10-26
Daugherty Decides to
Push Conspiracy Charge
If Strike Occurs.
ACTION is PLANNED
AT COUNCIL OF WAR
Will Issue Warrants
Against National Chiefs
And 400 Local Heads.

| prosecution OF the rail union
leaders for conspiracy to parsiyze
the transportation system Of the
country was determined upon yes
Iterday at the legal council Of war
tof Attorney General Daugherty and
the Eve district attorneys he called
to Washington.
In the event Of the walkout ac-
Itually materializing, the heads OF
the brotherhoods and the 600 local
chairmen named in the strike call
will be arrested on government war
rants charging conspiracy. other
legal measures also will be adopted
10 prevent interference with Irans-
Portation.
II the Railway Labor Board fails
TO avert the strike. President Hard
ing viii issue a proclamation de-
claring the purpose OF the govern
ment to maintain Transportation.
and giving warning of the conse-
7uences Of prosecution which VIII
BE incurred by the strikers in defy-
ing the government
The trains will run" emphati-
cally asserted Mr.. Daugherty fol-
lowing the conclusion OF the con-
ference.
Leaves SUnder Sealed Order..-
Charles T. Clyne. the Omitted
states Attorney at Chicago, left
hurriedly for home this afternoon.
under sealed orders" as he ex-,
pressed it. Mr.. Clyne carried with
him the instructions of the Attor-
ney General to be communicated 10
| other district attorneys in the West
who will assemble at a conference
within the next few days at ST.
Louis or Kansas City. This confer
ence VIII make a study OF the
grounds fo- legal action, after
which the Omitted States attorneys
VIII return TO their districts pre-
pared to institute concurrent prose-
cution OF the strike leaders az the
signal from Washington
While the Attorney GensraI Is
confident there will be no complete
suspension OF transportation in tliN
event Of a strike. he recognizes that
there will be a slowing down OF
food and fuel shipments With this
situation in mind he uttered an ap-
peal to households TO refrain from
a buying orgy or boarding which
|
ers and send prices skyward.
To the Department OF Commerce.
which is organizing government
agencies to keep the necessities OF
life moving. Mr.. Daugherty sent de-
tailed reports on the food and fuel
situation in every section OF the
country. These reports disclose that
there are supplies Of food and fuel
in most communities suficient TO
last two weeks even II transporta-
tion were completely suspended.
Mr.. Daugherty declined to discuss
his plans for proceeding against
the, strike leaders.
Preparing Effective Action.
1T is sufficient to saw at this
time he said. that We are getting
ready to act effectively IL, il should
become necessary for the govern
ment to preserve transportation."
Asked who would be the defend
ants in any proceedings Institutes
by the government, Mr.. Daugherty
observed that the strike call con-
tained the names of several hundred
and the places at which they would
be found.
1t is one Of the functions Of gov
ernment to preserve transporta-
~
and that we are going 20 do TO the
utmost Of our ability II t should
become necessary. In performins
that function OF government I am
confident we shall have the prac-
tically unanimous approval OF the
country. Our reports Indicate that
the people, including the great ma
jority Of the laboring people. have
no patience with this strike"
Mr.. Daugherty wished IL to be
understood that he was not dis
cussing the merits OF the contro-
versy leading up to the strike or
der.
That question is in the province
Of the Labor Board" he said. The
President is we'll advised and has
the matter well in hand. The De-
partment OF Justice, which is not
involved. IL merely preparing 70 act
ludiciously withip the law with
sufficient care and positiveness %
obvtate any Observation-Disclosures.
VIII Follow President.
These transportation facilities
must function. The President will
announce his purpose to preserve
transportation IL that step should
become necessary, so that the De-
partment and the people will have
ample notice and any persons per-
sisting in defying the government
will have to take the consequences.
II will be the duty OF the Depart
ment to follow the instructions Of
the President. seeing TO Il that
these facilities are kept in opera
tion, that property is protected ana
any violence or other use of force
restrained.
There Is ample authority under
4 which the government can proceed
to perform the functions incumbent
upon IT. There is enough law in
the decision on the Debs case Of
1884 to show that the government
has the power TO function in pro
serving transportation.
while the entire issue is In the
hands Of the President. q is my
personal view that IL Mr.. Stone
thinks that IL lie right 20 ignore
constituted authorities OF the Amer
lean people. he cannot expect sup.
port either from the American pec-
pie OF the American government"
/