New-York tribune., 1921-10-22


from Chicago to have reached an I'M
passe, should be resumed. He has no
wish for an appeal to be made to him.
Peace Proclamation Shortly
There was no surprise at the Capitol
at what amounted to an announcement
that the President would not resort to
wartime powers. President Harding
Is known to take the position that SINCE
the country is at peace now there
should be no resort to use of war
powers. In fact, it was emphasized at
the White House that it is his purpose
to make q formal declaration of peace
as soon as exchanges of ratification are
completed in Berlin, Vienna and Buda-
pest. American messengers now are
on the way with the documents and will
arrive at their destinations within ten
days. President Hardings peace proc
lamation will follow Immediately and
with it will expire the national defense
act under which the government, if it
so desired could take over the, rail
roads and operate them.
Just how far the government will 90
n operating trains in the event of a
strike remains to be determined. Post
master General Hays already has an
nounced there will be no stoppage in
mail service. The Department of Com
merce is at work on plans to move
necessares Of life. 1t is mobilizing
motor trucks and other means Of trans
portation.
The White House assurance that the
President will not resort to war powers
is taken to mean that the Administra-
hon does not purpose to be stampcded
by either side into taking over the
roads for government operation. With
all agencies of the government at
work to help sustain the national life,
1T is not at all improbable the govern
ment will put it's soldiers on food and
fuel trains if the emergency demands.
1t is understood that the Cabinet to-
day considered plans that call for the
operation of trains by picked men of
the army, who have been trained in rail
~ aNd could be called upon to
assure the distribution of important
supplies. In addition, the army has 80
600 motor trucks and men to man them
In case of an emergency.
Inc White House made it known
that the President will not summon
the brotherhood chiefs and rail ex-
ecutives here for a conference The
President intends that the trouble
shall be settled at Chicago.
To those who have urged him to cali
the warning factions here, President
Harding is understood to have replied
that Che job of bringing about set
tiement belongs to the Labor Board.
The Administration expects the meet
Ing october rs in Chicago to bring
results.
Representatives of both the brother
hoods and the executives are in confer
ence daily with Senator Cummins and
other members of Congress who have
to do with railroad legislation. Many
proposals have been made, but as vet
nothing definite has been worked out.
indications are that Congress will keep
hands off until the present trouble is
settled one way or the other. The
leaders in Congress do not want to do
anything that will weaken the Labor
Boards position.
Cummins Confers With Willard
The provision Of law under which
President Wilson took over the lines
is contained in few sentences in the
appropriation act for the army for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1917. 1t
provides: "The President, in time of
war, is empowered, through the Sec
retary of War, to take possession and
assume control OF any system or sys-
TENS of transportation, or any part
thereof, and to utilize the same, to the
SNSAuoiO'it as IdI as may De necessary,
of all other traffic therein for the
transfer or transportation of troops,
war material and equipment, or for
such other purposes connected with the
emergency as may be needful or de-
sirable."
Senator Cummns had conference
with President Daniel Willard, of the
Baltimore & Ohio, to-day. Mr.. Will
lard laid before Senator Cummins a
statement of the reductions in rates
already made by the carriers. 1t was
learned that Mr.. Willard is not one Of
those who are expressing desire for
strike. On the contrary, he desires
to avert one!
The Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee TOMORROW will take up once
more the railroad credit bill. 1t is
expected this will soon be amended and
reported to the Senate, though there is
some difficulty in shaping up the
amendments and delay on account Of it,.
Mexico Taxes u. s. Arrivals
WASHINGTON. Oct. 2i.-A head tax