Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-10-22
UNITED STATES
WAR POWE ER NOT
To BE USED To
AVERT WALK0UT
Administration Said to Feel
That Other Avenues Are
Open By Which a Settle
rnent Can Be Reached,
NEGOTIATIONS WILL
BE DEPENDED UPON
Decision of the |, c, C, on
Cases Involving Requests
for Freight Rate Cuts
May Be Expected Soon,
Try The AssocIated Press, ,

Washington, Oct. 2f.-Use oy
the government OF its war powers
to avert the threatened nation
wide railroad strike. while suggest
ed in some quarters, will not be ex-
ercised it was stated late today in
high administration circles.
The impression was given that
the administration fee g other ave-
nues are open by which a settle
ment may be reached.
Nation Is Now at Peace.
It was made plain by high off
cials that they believed the use of
war powers was not necessary,
meanwhile declaring that "thts ma
tion is at peace" Belief was ex-
pressed that amicable and definite
results could be obtained through
negotiations rather than by use of
force such as involved In the eXer-
else of war powers.
In the absence of any indication
that the administration was con-
sidering mandatory, control of the
railroads, action by the labor board
in citing union heads and rail
chiefs to the controversy to appear
before it. was interpreted here as
showing that the board had re-
ceived assurances from Washing
ton that its supervision of the sit
uation had been unaffected. The
boards intention, as understood
here, was to determine whether
the railroad chiefs or the railroad
rts nj
ready contravened provisions Of
the transportation act
Labor Boards Affair.
In administrative circles It was
reiterated that it was "still the la
Dor boards affair."" While the
president had not been advised Of
ficially OF the boards action at a
late hour. it was understood he
approved the move.
Although definite decision
against invocation of war time
powers was reached today, no
doubt was expressed in official
quarters that adequate authority
was existent and could be en-
ployed, should the period of nego-
tiation prove fruitless. An amend
ment carried by the army appro-
priation bill of August 20. 1916, an
thorized the president specifically
to take over Transportation for the
movement of troops, and to contin-
lie such control "in an emergen4
cy."
Supplementing this authority, 1t
was said. were sections of the ma
tfonal defense act and other stat
utes. Department OF justice Off
cials were understood to have pre-
pared for the president a memo
randum on the subject.
Program Worked Out.
Discussion of the use of war
powers by the cabinet was under
stood to have been limited, but
several pertinent facts We're de-
veloped which gave rise to the be-
lief that some officials already had
worked out program to be fol-
lowed in event a strike should
menace the supply of essentials. 1t
was learned also that officials who
had suggested such course to the
president had catalogued men
available for train operation.
Should situation arise neces-
stating reversion Of these powers,
or other methods of temporary
government control. the war de-
partment would become the focal
point. it was explained. The army
already has its personnel listed by
occupations and is ready to put
some men aboard trains and man
its fleet Of some 10000 motor
trucks.
A decision from the Interstate
Commerce Commission on cases
involving requests for freight rate
reductions may be expected soon. it
was again indicated at the com
There was nothing, how
ever. to connect the expected deci-
sion with the program being fol-
lowed by he labor board.