Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-10-25
GOVERNMENT TO
STRIKE BACK IF
WALKOUT COMES
Attorney General, After Con.
ference With Van Mugs and
Others, Ready to Act.
CONSPIRACY IN STRIKE?
Special to Indians Daily Times
and Phflndalnhia Pnhiic I 81 ger

Special to Indians Daily Times
and Philadelphia Public Ledger.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.-Holding the
Government Of the United States "big
enough and strong enough" to assure the
operation of the railroads, even in the
event of a strike, Attorney General
Daugherty has announced the Department
OF Justice was preparing for eventualities
with no thought of the merits of the rail-
road labor controversy.
Any Interference with transportation,
Mr.. Daugherty asserted, would be dealt
with effectively and summarily under the
general laws which gives the Government
full power and authority TO maintain its
life and the protection Of its citizens.
Whether the Government proposed to
act before a walkout Of the railroad train
service employees actually takes place or
whether the department has determined
To oroceed against strike action. either
criminally or civilly, as violation of the
conspiracy laws, the attorney general de-
clined to say in so many words. The only
hint Of possible prosecution of group
striking as a transgression Of law was
contained in the following words:
MEN HAVE RIGHT
TO QUIT JOBS.
I'VE probably would concede," said
MI, DauEnerJV. LhdI men nave the
90 strike-that means the quitting of
their jobs. They may strike in groups,
but 1 don't sag they can strike in groups,
scattered broadcast over the country with
out violating a conspiracy law when
such action amounts to anita gOnism to the
Government of the United States.
81 would say that peacefully doing so,
in a lawful manner, men may quit their
employment. But I do say that when it
comes to the Governments interest they
cannot strike back
The Attorney Generals announcement
Of the attitude Of the Legal Department
of the Government was made following a
conference with five Federal District At
torneys summoned here to receive instruc-
tons upon a program of concerted &C
ton and harmonious effort"
The district attorneys at the confer
ence: William Il. Hayward Of New
York: Charles F. Clyne of Chicago;
stephen T. Lockwood of Buffalo; L. B.
WOrtz of Cleveland, and Frederick Van
Nuys OF Indianapolis. were selected Mr.
Daugherty said, from railroad centers
and because the headquarters of many Of
the railroad labor unions were located in
their districts. II was the Attorney Gen
erals inference that If legal action were
taken It possibly would be instituted in
one or all Of these districts. The Of
hcials are still in conference and It is ex-
pected complete plan of action, looking
10 an eventuality, VIII be in their hands
before they leave Washington
HARDING LEAVES
FOR TWO DAYS.
Early Monday Mr.. Daugherty was
closed for more than an hour with
President Harding ana the strike situA
ton, from the standpoint Of its legal
phases, was canysssed thoroughly. In
leaving Washington today fer a two-day
trip IN the South, the President appar-
emily is leaving the problem of the
threatened strike in the hands of the At
torney General and the railroad labor
board, confident Of the outcome. The
persistent optimism OF official Washing
TON on the situation was reflected by Mr.
Daugherty.
IN the first place" he said, 81 doubt
there will be strike, but Il is the duty
Of this department to be prepared for an
emergency ana determined policy. So 1
called these district attorneys into con-
sultation. We did not discuss the merits
OF the controversy. With the merits the
department OF justice takes the position
Il has nothing to do, and the merits OF
the row possibly Will not be entered into
at any time.
The Government, however, has the
power, right and duty to see that the
owners of the railroads give the American
people the service they are entitled to.
Many, many more Americans are In
terested in these facilities, IN seeing that
they serve the public, than in this CON
troyersy between railroad operators and
employees, regardless OF who is right or
who is wrong. Property must be pre-
served, life protected, law enforced and
order maintained. The Government Is
dig enough and strong enough TO see that
this Is accomplished. '-Copyright 1871
By Public Ledger Company.