The sun., 1919-10-28
CONGRESS BACKS UP
PRESIDENTS STAND
Leaders in House OutspOken
Against Stand of Labor
Radicals.
SENATE MORE CAUTIOUS
BOrah Wants Wilson Policy
Defined Before Downright
Approval Is Granted.
Special Despatch TO THE Sun.


WASHINGTON, Oct 81. - Republican
leaders in the House unanimously as
serted to-day that the time has come for
showdown between the Government
and the labor leaders, who seek to throw
the nation into a great Industrial strug-
gle to force the adoption OF their de-
mands.
The determination of the officials Oh
the United Mine Workers to call n
strike of the miners on Saturday has
awakened the House to the dangers of
the situation and to realization that
the public welfare Is the primal consid-
GRAFTON. No longer is the fear so ap-
parent in Congressional circles of doing
or saying anything that might antagon-
ize the labor vote
Politics also has disappeared in the
situation Endorsement of the Presi-
dents firm stand is heard on all sides.
Republican Leader Montell (Wyoming)
said that he most heartily approved the
Presidents statement" and at his re-
quest 1t was inserted In the Congress.
stondi Record.
Speaker Gillett (Mass.) denounced the
miners for their excessive demands, and
Representative Knutson (Minn.), Repub-
lican whip, promised that Congress- will
relieve the situation. Representative
Connally (Tex) introduced a concurren.
resolution indorsing the Presidents
stand. Representative Snyder IN. "
said there was no one in the House who
would not back the Executives position.
Increased Production Needed.
II am amazed at the action OF the
mine workers and the attitude of their
sympathizers," said Speaker Gillett. at
seems to me incredibly selfish, narrow.
shortsighted and calamitous. The pres
ent high price of commodities is caused
by the worldwide shortage in produc-
| ton. think In this country 1t has
been enhanced by an extravagant con-
sumption on the part of the profiteers
and some Of those whose wages have
suddenly bounded upward.
The remedy Is increased production
and economical consumption. The
worlds general stock must be raised to
normal before normal trade and prices
will return. This is peculiarly true OF
such a staple as coal. on which depend
nearly all other industries And yet
at the very moment when an increased
production is the one thing which the
whole world needs and which every
public spirited impulse cries for the
miners demand q six hour day and only
five working days in the week, thus
greatly diminishing production. That
claim OF itself should excite universal
indignation. And they threaten to en-
| force this attempt at smaller production
by a. strike which will for a time stop
all production.
They seem to be indifferent to the
general welfare and to let their selfish
| wishes outweigh the necessities of every
one else. Such an illiberal, inconsiderate
and unreasonable policy is sure to con-
centrate against them public opinion,
and that foredooms any strike to ulti-
mate failure though It may cost the
public as well as the miners immense
suffering"
Mr. Connally's resolution reads in
part:
RESOLVED by the House of Represen-
tatives of tho United States Of America
! (the Senate concurring). that the utter
ances of the President OF the United
States are approved by the Congress of
the United states. and that the Congress
hereby pledges to the President OF the
United States its support in all consti-
tutional measures which the President
tain the laws of the United States in
their full integrity"
81 cannot bring myself to believe"
| said Mr.. KnCtson. that the threatened
strike OF btuminous coal miners will
materialize. Winter is at hand Con-
gress cannot, neither will II, permit
condition to arise which will paralyze
the industries of the country and bring