Evening star., 1922-07-26
ALTERNATEPLANS
READY IF SUPPLY
Of COAL GIVES OUT
Government Working Hard
on Problem Despite Seem:
ing Inactivity.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

"The government Is doing all in its
power and is working day and night
to bring about a settlement of the
strikes-just because we cannot talk
about it is no reason to suppose we are
doing nothing"
Thus did a spokesman of the ad-
ministration describe the policy OF
the government. which at the mo-
ment has not reached the point where
its details can be disclosed.
In a nutshell, however, this may be
said to be the latest phases Of the
strike situation:
President Harding will wait a rea-
sonable length of time, perhaps a
week, to determine whether the coun-
try's needs will be satisfied by the
production Of coal under the emer-
gency arrangements made by the
operators since the invitation to open
the mines was extended by the White
House.
Alternative Plans Ready.
The alternative measures in the
event that the nations fuel supply is
inadequate cannot be revealed, but
they contemplate in a broad sense q
definite program of cooperation with
the governors of states whereby In
dividual agreements can be made
with the striking miners.
The effort is to establish a sort of
status quo which will not prejudice the
case of either side, while a commission
soon to be appointed by the President
makes an exhaustive inquiry into the
coal industry and presents its recon-
mendations.
AS for the rail strike, President Hard
ing wants the United States Railroad
Labor Board to make the moves that
will bring the disputants together. This
involves, all the issues that have arisen
since the strike was called and here,
too. the tendency is to ask both sides
to accept a settlement on the basis Of
the points they are agreed upon and
leave the question Of seniority rights to
be settled by an impartial tribunal or
arbitral body.
Want Further Farley.
Informal overtures are going on
all the time in both rail and coal
strikes and pressure just now is be-
ing exerted upon the President to
take the initiative and call a con-
ference of niners and operators.
Some administration officials feel
that such conference would be
futile. as every possible solution was
canvassed in vain when the last con-
ference was held, and the net ef-
feet. they say. would be to stop pro-
duction while the conference was
drifting along in Washington without
| hope of q compromise. Neverthe-
less the suggestion that President
Harding keep on trying and that he
call John L. Lewis to Washington
| for further discussion Of the situ-
alton II being advanced fervently
by those who believe the public gem
orally will tend to criticise an ad-
the principals say as hopeless and
does not try to force q compromise
through tho help 6f public opinion.
Expect Break shortly.
The White House has had little to
say, since on the strike situation thi,
week, the impression being given that
more progress can be made II the
problem il not aggravated by q CON
tinued now Of Newspaper statements
There 10 disapproval. for instance, Of
the many pronunciameatos ieeuIns
from both sides which of3cials Of The
government say will only make re.
cession moro difficult. Somebody must
give way sbefore there can be a eettle.
mefit. and the administrations thinks q
few more days will see . break N
both the rail and coal situations
Broadly speaking the view Of oficsals
the many funder-th surface endeavors
will come some compromise arrange
ment which viii send the strikers
back to work until the issues can be
reconsidered In the calm moments o1
psace rather than In the passionats
moments OF Industrial war.
tospyrisAt lsex,