The sun., 1919-10-27
CONGRESS FAVORS
VIGOROUS ACTION
Discussions Take Place on
What Should Be Done.
special Desputch TO THE Sun.


WASHINGTON, Oct. 26.-President
Wilson will have the thoroughgolns
support of Congress if he proceeds to
deal with the industrial problems in
the spirit OF yesterdays Cabinet pro-
nouncement regarding the coal strike.
The unflinching declaration of the
Administrations attitude came Just at
the right time to forestall efforts at
assumption of leadership by the Legis-
lative end of the Government Mem
bers of both houses have become con-
vinced in the course of the last fort
night that vigorous measures must be
formulated for dealing with the situa-
ton. They have realized that the
Executive alone has the authority
necessary for handling such affairs,
and the assurance that the Admins
tration is prepared to assume official
control has brought a feeling OF much
relief
Senators and Representatives. have
been discussing measures through
which TO amplify and fortify Govern
ment control and to convince the would
be strikers that ii will not remain supine
Their discussions have to some extent
formulated opinion as to what can and
should be done. Their views are in line
with the policy outlined by the Cabinet
pronouncement
Opinion in Senate.
In the Senate opinion has settled
down to a conviction that unless the
coal strike is averted the mines must be
taken over by the Government. While
II was realized that the Lever law gives
the President all the power he needed
to do this, the adoption of a resolution
favoring such a proceeding was earnestly
discussed. 1t was even suggested that .
law be passed definitely establishing IL
as the step to be taken in existing cir
Cumstances so that the governmental
| machinery might be set up and enabled
to work automatically through the Gov
ernment departments IL the Presidents
health were not such that he could di-
| rect matters
There is practical unanimity among
Senators in favor of taking over the coal
Mines" said one Senator who has been
taking much interest in the development
OF the Industrial crisis. He expressed
| the opinion that If the President would
| take this step Congress without delay
| would provide him with any additional
authority that he may need, appropriate
funds and support him generally,
| Another proposal that has been dis
| cussed is the passage of a measure pro-
viding a plan of compulsory arbitration
| for such case as the coal strike re-
curing that the dispute must be sub
mitted to investigation and arbitration
| and that there must be no cessation OF
production pending or after the decision.
! Compulsory arbitration is not popule!
with labor and is strongly opposed by
! many legislators Yet some men, who
under ordinary circumstances would vote
against It, have declared that TO meet
the present exigency they would do sn
, If il seemed necessary.
Volunteer Mine Workers.
One proposal which was discussed to-
day looked 10 raising volunteer army
OF mine workers to enter the pits II this
men should insist on laying down their
tools despite the Administration appeal.
1t was pointed out that there are in tho
country tens OF thousands of men who
have worked In coal and other mines and
are skilled workers though not now en-
gagged in mining. Letters from some OF
these indicate that In an emergency there
would be generous response from these
ex miners in order to keep the country
from disaster.