Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-10-25
Attorney General Plans
Harmony of Effort and
Concerted Action
LAW MAY BE INVOKED
Daughterty Preparing for Emergen-
cy. May Resort to C9nspiricy
Laws.

Washington, Oct. 25.-A program
for concerted action and harmony
Of effort" to prevent 4 tie-up Of
the transportation facilities OF the
country in the event of railroad
strike was decided upon today by
Acknowledgement Daugherty in con-
ference with United States District
Attorneys from five cities.
The District Attorneys who met
with the Attorney General were
Hayward, Of New York; Clyne, of
Chicago; Wertz, Of Cleveland; Lock
wood, of Buffalo. and Van Nuys, of
Indianapolis. They are to confer
with Mr.. Daugherty again tomor-
row. when instructions are to be
sent other District Attorneys to
govern their actions in the event OF
a strike.
Processing his disbelief in the
possibility Of general railroad
strike materializing, Mr.. Daugherty
declared the conference was called
for an understanding in any emer-
gency" Beyond mention OF the
conspiracy laws, he did not discuss
the details of the departments plans
but indicated that it was believed:
on the strength of Supreme Court
decisions, that the Government has
the inherent right to protect itself
from a paralysis of the country's
transportation facilities and the
power to use any laws applicable t.
accomplish that end.
The District Attorneys came
here" Mr.. Daugherty said, for a
conference and an understanding II
any event and in any emergency.
still don't believe there will be any
strike, but it is the duty OF the De-
partment of Justice to be prepared
in any emergency for prompt action
if necessary.
"Uniformity of proceeding and
policy was determined upon in any
event. They came to discuss fully
the various plans of the deartment in
the event of a strike.
"We 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 ii
has nothing to do with the merits
of the controversy and probably Al
no time would the merits enter into
its policy.
"The department probably would
concede that the men have the rlg,ht
to strike; that they even have the
right to strike in groups. But Ii
would not say they can strike IN
groups throughout the country with
out violating the conspiracy laws by
antagonizing the Government OF the
United States.
"The department would not con.
cede there would be no violations o1
the conspiracy statutes for great
body of men all over the country tc
agree to paralyze its transportation
facilities. The department would say
they could strike pesceab!y, but
when it comes to the Government
interests and the interests OF the pub
lie in these facilities the Govern
ment has the power, right and duty
ia see that the owners Of the rail-
roads give the American people the
service thy are entitled to.
More people are interested IN the
transportation facilities than there
are in the controversy, regardless of
who is right or who is wrong. This
conference was for the purpose OF
obtaining concerted action and mar
monv of effort to the end that the
railroads may give continued service
without any interruption ana III or
der that the public may be served.
at is the duty of the department
IN provide for the transportation fo1
neople who travel and the transspor-
tation of food and fuel with winter
coming on. The Government has the
powcr and ample authority, 1t VIII
be- prompt and as reasonable as II
can be. but these arteries OF com
merce must continue to serve the
people. Property must DC prlotecsed1'
life preserved and order maintained.
and the Government is big enough
to see that this is accomplished
Before meeting with the GIstrlcI
attorneys Mr.. Daugherty called al
the White House mad is understood to
have received President Harding S
approval of the departments plans.