The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-01-05
HARDING IN
REPLY To THE
LABOR QUERIES

COLUMBUS. Jan. 4.-Senator war,
-,r g Harding tonight authorized tho
making public a letter to l.. J. Miller,
Secretsry of the local federation OF ING
baltimore & Ohio railroad al NeNn,n ~
q MIR. Miller had addressed rive spccct-
Tic questions to Senator Harding as luz
why did you vote In favor OF the
2 Why did YOU support the anti
strike clause in same oiil' ~, Haven't
8. Do you think this Will prev eA'
strikes? ,,,,,5. coward or
ganized labor? ,-.s ,ahor 20
Senator Harding answered the las,
TWO questions by pointing to ms own
racord In Ohio where he himself IL az
employer OF labor. He says he WIsho g.
the support OF all titizens' orSanl%ru
unorranized. ",rho believe me 10 DC
trustworthy public servant;
4o,..t,on No, 4 ought TO require no
answer in Ohio" Senator Harding says
~ believe most cordially In rationai uiI-
lonism. Organization ana conceive va.
gaining, under wise leadership, M
Sone more 10 advance the cause OF iaoos
tSan ali other cgencies combined. ana
anyone who thinks 10 destroy sane uti ,
IonIsm BY legislation or otherwise
Mind 70 conditions firmly estao!ioh.u'
and Is insensiblc to public sen'in1 ~, :
which Is deliberate and apolnS; 20
tho advancement Of unionlsm II on
,btnr and the domination OF organized
labor is quite another. l suoscripc a.
thc first and apposc the latter; 40
not believe in any class DOMINATION r.
the long fight 10 remove inc oo'nt't "a Ia'
OF capital. now ialrly Won 10 lis
Dor domination is substituted III '''
stead" ,,,,
Senator Harding then answers 'ne
other questions: ~, N.,,usn
r h.,icvrd (, to be the best measure pro
.ontnd 10 the Senate for the restoration
- Tho railway lines to their owners
favored the anti-striko clause pt'"u.'
II applies TO public service uh9er kon
eminent regulation. III when CoI.s ,,,rn
oxerciscs its powers TO limit the return
~ m nital Invested, Axes rates at ~hlCh
no nublic must be served. cnacts 'he
conditions under " tch service mus "
rendered, and iinGlIy. in mo antl-S' me nc
clause. provides capable tripuliai iu'
the adjustment Of all !fOoF iEr r,ns n
lion need be apprehendcd. In our mou-
crn lfc ALL the people are dependent on
railway transportation Tor loou' Gil
fort, health, security ana the necessaI
materials for productive actlflty anu
NJ attending
Zine necessity. This transportation
10 a public service. and is no Longer
snecnlatiye private enterprise. II Is not
competitive. except as To qualIly " H.
vlce' II Is limited in proht. ana INC III
ynstnent comes under governmental re-
strirtions. Expenditures arc limited nc
cause earnings are limited. All TINS as
ann ntion in regulation Is designed Tor
tho public good. Is II not wholly con-
sistent and fair. then. that inc SANE
governmental authority should proh'n-
~ tho paralysis of the public service SO
80 /, provides a competent tribunal
70 adjust all labor grievances ana
awards 10 railway employees every just
consideration? I believe II not only
consistent but a distinct advance IN DC
half Of the public and the worKihcn
alike. ... al
"If the government representing all
the people can not guarantee transporta-
ton service under any ana all eoha'-
lions, II fails utterly. II that same gov
eminent can not provide Just GonS'dSl.
transportation system, II lslIs again
II ought and must do both.
No Labor EnBlavsment.
at is far afield from the main ques-
ton TO talk about enslaving the LABOR
ing man MS,hi S6,s Is s sarfne desire S or
the semblance of such a thought. The
law specifically preserves TO the indl-
yidual his right TO quit MS employment
II provides the governments guaranty
Of just, treatment while he remains IN
the railway employment Government
itself is the lawful agent OF justice.
There has been no intent To interfere
with the plan OF collective bargaining
in competitive. private enterprise. rms
provision deals solely with a public
service. the continued and uninterrupted
maintenance of which IL vital 10 the
whole people, and in the ono actin pro-
noupCr public welfare paramount and
a, The same time commit the govern
ueut TO n plan OF awarding full and
prompt justice to every man engaged