The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-10-20
ACTION
AGAINST ACTS
Of DEFIANCE
BOTH WORKERS AND
PENNSY UNDER FIRE
President Harding Relies on
Public Opinion to Back Up
Boards Findings.
By DAVID LAWRENCE
Copyright by tho IntelAgencsr)

Wash.ncton. October i9--rrestdent
Harding has determined - make tho
United States railroad board 8" import
ant that when /; hands down decision
saving either side in controversy 10
wrong. the full weight OF puHac opinion
Will bring the necessary pressure TO
bear tn compel Obedience 10 the mandate
Of the board.
This was the original Idea OF con-
greSs in creating II" railroad !aooT
board and tho first challenge 10 the pow
or Of the board has developed. ENecu-
tive ianuencA has saved what m'Sht
otherwise have been steady collapse
OF the whole structure erected by con-
Sress. Mr.. Harding has made It clear
that he wants the railway J hor board
10 20 ahead and cali bo,h SIDES 20 task.
Me-. Harding's course will unquestion-
ehiv prevent strike for neither the
railroads nor the labor leaders would
be able to compete successfully against
a formal decision as TO who was right
or wrong. Both sides privasety will ad-
nit that.
The president feels that the United
States railroad labor board should act
sternly with any organization which
flouts Its decisions He approved OF the
summons sent 20 the railroad brother
hood chiefs to come To Chicago To talk
things over informally and makes II
clear that he wishes the board will also
call In promptly officials os the Penn
svlvania railroad who recently deded
the decision OF the board.
Must F1ay Pair
Mr.. Harding believes the railway lab
or board will succeed only II |. plays
fair With both sides and that II must
be lust as ready 10 chast.se a big In
s,itution like the Pennsylvania rallroa
as railway union. Mr.. Harding ism
showing any partiality TO either Side
he isn't actually interfering in the de-
tails OF the controversy. He keeps on
pointing out that congress has created
the labor board to settle disputes and
that botn sides Fnust-toe the-nark and
obey that board. Mr.. Harding has con-
adence In the Integrity and honesty and
ra.r-mlndedness OF the board and be-
lieves public opinion Will follow It's de-
Cislon.
The P1ssidsnt's View
The railway hrotherho foods chiefs
called n strike in advance Of a decision
by the board They took action largely
because the railroads announced that
they would seek second cut In wages
request tor cut and tho H"tual grant
Ing Of the same. Mr.. Harding feels that
the calling OF strike Is largely mis-
uaderstanding-a fear OF sometse-g z
that may OF may not mater!al'ze. The
president Is confident that when IN" la
Dor board formally calls upon each side
10 behave there will 10 no moro fauHt'
Ing os the authority OF the railroad
board The la Dor chiefs have been watch
Ing TO see whether the labor board had
any zeal power behind It.
When they saw the Pennsylvania raj
, road ignore the decisions Of tho board
they were prompted 10 do likewise. The
remedy for the situation in the opinion
, Of the administration Is to get back 4
J funda meatals--to make both sides re
! spect the board. II that isn't accom-
! pl!shed. chaos comes onre more into thc
+ railway problem and no improvement
; will have been made over the situate
: In 1918 when the .Adamson law was fore
ed through congress n avert strike
! But with the railway labor board made
| equal IN Importance 10 the in.erstat L
| (ConGnusd on Page rourtsen)