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Show I WILSON AMAZED jj AT THE STRIKE P, ' Surprised That Men Would JM Walkout During Present 1? Crisis in the Nation, tai WF WASHINGTON, March 16 Word ms that a general railroad strike had WP been ordered to be-in Saturday yr' night was received by President Wil- S!T son tonight with amazement. He had confidently expected that the meet-J meet-J ing between the railroad and brother- t hood representatives in New York would result in some kind of agree ment that would prevent interference interfer-ence with transportation facilities at least while the nation is on the verpe of war No statement was authorized by the White House, and all officials professed to be ignorant of what the president might intend to do. The president is known to regard a strike as inconceivable in view of the international crisis, the already congested condition of freight traf-e traf-e - fic and the ever-rising cost of food, r Apparently, however, he feels he practically is powerless unless it be-1, be-1, i omes necessary for him to adopt v. dj measures to keep t)ie mails moving. After a telephone conference with Kj Secretary Wilson of the labor de- 1F partment, it is understood the presi- 15 dent decided to make no move to ff! night. There Is a disposition among some administration officials to believe that even if begun Saturday, the pro- 1 j gressive plan for the strike will never be carried to a conclusion. Be-a Be-a fore next Wednesday, the day the walkout would be effective throughout through-out the country, they believe a compromise com-promise will have been reached. Precedents under which the government gov-ernment might take a hand in the situation, are being searched. The proposed law under which the pi , n . dent would have been empowered to f' take over and operate the railroads In time of emer?enr, failed to reach a vote during the last session of con-Jtj con-Jtj gress. |