The New York herald., 1921-10-18
President Would Let I'm
ions and Leaders Fight 1t
Out if They Decline
Adjudication.
REJECTS AN INJUNCTION
Would COnfine Government
Activities to Protection,
Supplying Food and
Moving Mails.
RELIEF MEASURES READY
Government Prepared to Mo-
bilize Shipping Board Steam
ers and Army Motor
Trucks.
RELIEF MEASURES READY
Special Despatch to The NEW YosK HERALD.

Special Despatch to The NEW YoRK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. C., Oct. II.
There is every possibility tonight
that if the railroad executives and
labor unions will not accept Presi-
dent Harding's advice and submit
the critical wage controversy which
threatens nationwide railroad tie-up
at the end of this month to the Rail-
road Labor Board for attempted adj
judication the President may refrain
from interfering and let the strike
proceed.
If strike actually comes. the Gov
ernment then would confine its ef-
forts to using every agency in its
power to keep the mails moving, fur
nish food and other necessities to the
cities and other sections that may be
in want, and protect life and prol
erty.
While conferences were being he4
today at the White House, the Intel
state Commerce Commission, the
War, Post Once and Justice depart
ments and the Capitol, reports were
being received from Chicago and else
where that both the executives and
the union leaders were planning TO
disregard the Railroad Labor Boards
plan OF solution.
II neither side is blufing, a strike
is likely to result which will be the
greatest in number of men involved
and the effect upon the economic and
private life in the country in history.
But the Administration still be-
lieves that before the men actually
quit work on large scale a way will
be found by their own leaders to post
pone such a calamity while the Labor
Board-the agency set up by Con-
gress in the recently enacted trans
portation acts given chance at
least TO attempt settlement on
basis of justice to everybody, par
ticularly the general public, which is
not directly involved in the quarrel
but which will suffer most.
Conference at white House.
Chairman McChord Of the Inter
state Commerce Commission and
Chairman Barton of the Railway
Labor Board conferred with the
President late this afternoon. When
they issued from the White House at
5:55 o'clock Mr.. McChord said.
I'VE met and became better ac-
quainted. There will be no more
meetings for the present"
"That goes for me. too" said Mr..
Barton.
Neither would discuss the matter
further nor disclose what had taken
flace. THE New YORK HERALD under
stands. however, that the plan OF
procedure outlined in this despatch
was agreed upon at this conference.
Mr. Christian. secretary TO the
President. would not elaborate these
brief statements. and the President
asked to be excused when the news
paper correspondents suggested that
he say few words to them. I
There were no official statements
by any members of the Administra-
ton. 1t is understood the members
of the public group of the labor
Loard when they saw Attorney-Gen.
eral Daugherty on two occasions to-
day discussed with him the question
OF n Federal injunction against the
strikers and that Il was decided to
take no such step on the ground that
u would not relieve the situation.
Senator Cummins. chairman Of
the Interstate Commerce Committee
and one OF the authors OF the trans
portatiou act, conferred during the
day with members Of the public
group Of the Railroad Labor Board
aud with A. =. Thorn. general counsel
for the railroad executives. The
Senator stated that he was merely
seeking information.
Congress Helpless, says Cummfps.
There is nothing that Congress
can do, so far as | can see," said Sen.
ator Cummins. There is no legisla.
tion that can think Of that will he.i
the situation. would be glad to
receive suggestions. AS view the
situation, it is entirely one with
which the Executive must deal II the
Government deals with it at alt"
Senator Cummins predicted a TO