New-York tribune., 1921-10-19
President Ready to Test
Efficacy of System De-
signed to Prevent the
Crisis Now Impending
|. G.. C.. Will Slash
Tariffs on Freight
Carriers To Be Called bv
Government After Con-
ference With Workers

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1S.-Strong
insistence that the decisions of the
Railroad Labor Board must be ac-
cepted by both the railroads and the
brotherhoods and determination to
have lower freight rates ordered I'm
mediately are the two chief features
Of President Harding's position to
night with regard to the threatened
strike.
AS to the decision to enforce, If
possible, the findings of the Railroad
Labor Board, it was said that the
President wished to find out whether
the board was a perfectly futile
governmental agency" or not.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, it was learned, will order re-
ductions in freight rates within the
next day or two. 1t is understood
that this reduction surely will IN
clude basic and primary commodi-
ties where reductions have not been
made, and in amount will absorb the
1912 per cent wage reductions Of
July l.
Carriers To Be Called Next
President Harding and his ad-
visers, it is said, are firm in then
determination to insist that both
sides in the railroad controversy
abide by decisions Of the Labor Board.
Calling in of the labor chiefs for
conference at Chicago on Thursday
by the board has the sanction of the
President. It is understood that he
suggested this to the public group
members of the board before they
left here yesterday. The carriers
will be called in next by the board.
As understood here, the Labor Board
will tell the union chiefs they must
accept the July wage reduction and re
call the strike order. At the same tims
they Will be assured that the carriers
Will be compelled by the government to
abide by decisions Of the Labor Board.
They will be assured no further
changes will be made in wages or work
ing conditions without their consent or
full investigation and consideration By
the Labor Board. Promises that there
Will be no further reduction in wages.
it is said, will not be made, because IL
is felt by the Administration that that
is question TO be decided by condi-
tions when the issue arises.
Test of System Sought
J AS understood here, the Administra-
ton is TO learn once and for all
whether the unions and the roads arc
going to submit to the Labor Board or
threaten trouble every time question
is submitted to Che board by either
side The policy decided on calls for firm
dealing, whether it be with the en-
ployees, the roads or both
Should the unions insist on going
ahead with their strike against the
July decreases the ADM nistration, it is
said, will take whatever steps are neg
essary to prevent tie-up Of transpor
tation.
The War Department is continuing
its survey of all facilities that might
be called into use in the event Of the
strike. This survey includes not orly
accurate data on the number of motor
trucks that could be utilized bat asa
inquiry is being prosecuted in every
| army corps area to ascertain how many
Of the enlisted men have had experience
in the operation Of trains or the main
tenance Of rights Of way.
Secretary Of War Weeks continued
to-day to withhold any detailed infor-
nation of the steps being taken by
the army 10 cope with the situation in
event OF the strike. but 1t Is known
that all branches Of the service have
been engaged in a careful survey 10
ascertain 20 what extent me army
could be useful in keeping open trans
portaticn should the railroad workers
strike.
Wants Issue Settled Now
The Administration is convinced tina.
the wage reductions must be upheld
II a strike is necessary TO settle the
issue, it Is said, the President feels
that the best interests Of the country
from a financial viewpoint require IS
settlement now rather than a few
months later.
50 far as the carriers re concerned.
the Administration IS prepared 10 deal
even moro firmly with them. Ii VIII
insist they they adhere to the rulings
Of the Labor Board. AT the white
House attention was called to the fac
, the board already had cited the Penn.
sylyania Railroad for violating its or
ders. 1t also was explained there thai
the Erie, contrary TO reports, had no;
ignored the boards rulings
The Administration has made =
clear to the executives that they mus,
follow the letter Of the Cummins -Fsch
law in dealing with their employees
and that no attempts must be made IA
force changes on the employees W III
out the sanction of the Labor Board
' With the railroad credit bin as a club
l the Administration is N position -
= hold the executives in line should thes
9 try to go their own way Although :
. WAS announced IN Chicago last wcca
S that the railroads were going 10 make
n further reduction in wages. ,ae exc.
) utives announced in New York ans
= here last night that they intended {,
make application before the Iabo
= Board for reductions. This is takcr
IN Administration circles to mean tha