The Washington times., 1921-10-15
THREAT Of
STHkE)AR
To NATION
President May Call In Labor
Heads and Demand Walkout
Be Called OF.
BY International News Service.

BY Inter ttOnal NEWS bervlco.
News that the railroad brother
hood chiefs at Chicago have an
nounced the beginning of nation
wide railroad strike for October 30
galvanized official Washington into
action today
Within an hour after dispatches
fupm Chicago had been carried To
thk White House by the Interns-
tional News Service, II was an
nounced that President Harding
has summoned to Washington MEM
bers of the Railway Labor Board
for conference.
One Group Is Called.
The members of the Board who will
confer with President Harding are
Of the Public Group-Judge r. M.
Barton, of Cincinnati. chairman; for
mer Gov. Ben w, Hooper, OF Tenn
essee, and G.. Wallace w. Hanger. 1t
IL understood that the Labor Group
and the Management Group Of the
Board win not be called for the pres
ent.
Judge Barton, Hooper, and Hanger
called at the White House at IL o'clock
to see the President. None OF them
would comment on the situation.
After comforting for few minutes
with Judge Barton and his two col
leagues in the Executive offices the
President, accompanied by the con.
ferees, left the White House afoot and
walked two blocks down Pennsylvania
avenue to the offices of the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
After spending ten minutes closeted
with the members Of the Labor Board
and the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, the President returned to the
White House alone, leaving the mem
bers together.
It would be extremely embarrassing
for the Administration, II was pointed
out, to have Industrial warfare break
out Just when the distinguished ed states
men of the world are gathered In
Washington to discuss remedies for
future international strife.
Public would Suffer Most.
It was regarded as significant that
President Harding summoned only the
members of the Railway Labor Board
who represent the public. At the
the public will be the real sufferer In
case of a nationwide walkout, and
that it is the public's interest which
the Administration Is most desirous OF
protecting.
What action the Administration can
take in the present crisis was largely
O matter Of speculation today. There
is no existing agency OF government
that is clothed with authority to take
drastic action In preventing a strike.
The powers of the Railway Labor
Board and the Interstate Commerce
Commission are Of a quasi-judicial
nature.
It was suggested that the repre-
sentatives OF the public on the Labor
Board might get together with the In
terstate Commerce Commission to en-
deavor to work out a solution Of the
present difficulties.
May Summons Labor Leaders.
1t also was suggested that the Presi-
dent might find II expedient to sum-
mon to Washington the brotherhood
chiefs, the railway executives, and the
members Of the Railway Labor Board
and deliver q fiat ultimatum that a
nationwide rail tie.up at this time is
unthinkable.
Despite the fiat announcement in
Chicago that the strike would go into
effect October 30, opinion varied In Of
ficial circles today over whether the
strike actually will be consummated.
Both Sides Want Strike, Belief.
Some officials inclined to the view
that both sides are determined upon
a strike--the railroads because they
believe now is the most favorable
time for a finish fight with the
Unions, and the unions because they
believe now Ia the most favorable
time to compel the Government again
TO take over the roads.
I'VE haven't received any strike
order yet" said w n. Johnston,
president OF the International Ma
hinists' Association here. but we
are ready 10 60 out II the other rail
rosd work ara nm