The New York herald., 1921-10-16
HARDING ACTS SOON
TO AVERT
TAKES firm STAND
Orders Labor Board and /.
G. c. Members Into Session
to Seek Settlement.
TO CALL IN UNION CHIEFS
Administration Believes Rates
and Wages Should Drop
to Aid Industry.
TO CALL IN UNION CHIEFS
Special Despatch TO THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c.. Oct. Is.

Special Despatch TO THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c.. Oct. 15.
President Harding took a firm
stand to-day when it developed that
the railroad situation in the United
States was approaching another
crisis through the threat Of more
than 100000 organized workers to
strike, possibly at the time the arma-
ment conference was assembling in
Washington.
In face of the strike threat the
President issued an official state.
ment that he had been considering
the railroad problem from its broader
aspects and had been convinced
largely that readjustment and
realignment were necessary. He
brought the public group on the Rail-
road Labor Board into conference
with the I. c. G. to consider what
could be done by way of possible
downward revision of rates and
wages.
This conference was arranged be-
fore the strike announcement was
made, but the Presidents official
statement followed news Of the strike
threat.
High, Administration advisers take
an optimistic view Of the situation.
IL is known they do not believe
nationwide strike will come. Sena-
tor Cummins, author of the transpor-
tation act, said such q strike would
be disaster and the dispute should
be left to the Labor Board.
Motor Transport Ready.
1t developed that the Government
has in the Council Of National De-
fence a complete and detailed plan for
the mobilization Of motor transporta-
tion to meet an emergency.
Officials believe a strike would not
be so inconvenient for the country as
might appear and they express no
fear OF starvation for urban dwellers.
There are, according to railroad
statistics, more than 100000 trained
railroad workers now idle or engaged
in other occupations who could be
called on to help operate the roads.
Just what proportion OF them is union
is not shown.
s..<~ Rf1ia 1o, do. mir l.
nize the grave Inconvenience II not
the danger which might ensue TO the
public in the event of q strike. While
the President has made known the
reasons that actuated the calling of
conferences in Washington between
the two bodies. the strike threat will
of necessity put different complexion
on the discussions.
When the three Labor Board men,
bers summoned by the President
reached the White House this MORN
ing the President went with them to
the I. c. c. He outlined to them and
commission members the purpose Of
his call and left them to debate the
question Of railroad readjustmcnt TO
meet the business and economic needs
of the nation.
| Two sessions were held by Chairman
r NJ. Barton, Benjamin W. Hooper
and w. G. w. Hanger. Labor Board
members. with the /. c.. C. After each
no Official announcement was made.
Mr.. Hooper said that adjournment had
been taken until Monday morning and
that the conference was considering
the broad aspects of the problem in the
relation of rates to wages.
Other Leaders 60 Re Called.
Tt is probable that others will be
summoned to the white House by the
President including possibly the
Brotherhood chiefs and leaders or the
other railroad unions. SO far as could
be ascertained no further conferences
have been arranged.
Executive officials OF the Government
would in general make no public state
ment on the situation. Senator cum
minis said
such a strike would prove an un-
speakable disaster. It's effect on Duri-
ness conditions and the country gener-
| ally Is horrible to contemplate. IL would
add materially to the immense difficult
ties already presented.
'T think that the wage dispute be-
tween the railroads and the men ought
20 be left 10 the Railroad Board. The
railroads ought TO be particular not TO
put into effect reduced scale OF wages
until they have submitted II TO the
board and awaited It's decision. Neither
should tho men strike until the board
has had an opportunity Of passing on
the dispute. OF course if both sides arc
unwilling to submit the controversy to
! the board then that feature of the rail-
| road act becomes ineffective"
| The White House statement on the
! situation said
\ "The purpose OF the meeting was a
broad confederation OF the possibility OF