The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-08-10
Strike Appeal
Isn't Popular
With Congress
Sy DAVID LAWRENCE
(Copyright by The InteIliEencer)

Washington. Aug. e.-Congress may
not respond as readily 10 President
Harding's request for legislation TO pre-
vent strikes and loCkOuts II the coal
and ran situations are cleared up as
would be the case II the crisis continues
indefinitely.
Already railroad representatives
whose business Il IS to see that CON
rres. does nothing that can be harmful
% their interests are on the JOB an
Nous to corral their supporters in o"th
houses so that undesirable moves may
10 blocked II not defeated. Labor. TOO
which SUCCESSFULLY fought the Inclusion
Of an antl.str!ke provision in the pres
Oot transportation act IS getting ready
To wage another battle irG the IeSlsla-
tive halls OF the national capital
With tho autumn elections staring
congress IN the face. the prospect or any
legislation uRtayorable TO labor inter
csts of the country Is far from likely.
congress back-t tracked on the antt-str'Ne
provision once before becauSe of fear
~ the voting power OF railroad em-
p'oycs. Tor In lcgIslat'ng there "ou'o
bo no specific cure for the shopmen
which would not apply equally 10 en-
gineers. trainmeu. conductors and an
other classes OF workmeu on the rail-
roads Of the country.
Labor Vote q Factor.
Although the labor vote "a a doubtful
quantity and politicians claim II never
supports any one party with sufficient
strength 20 change the result closer
qpDroximation OF the truth IS that labor
never votes solidly unless concrete
issue affecting them Is up for constdera-
rion. Even the Republican politicians
cause OF the Hughes defeat In 1915.
admitted that the railroad men contri-
tutcd no small number OF votes in ap-
rrcciatlon Of the Wilson effort on the
r.rht-hour law known aS the AdamSon
act.
only ar acute emergency Will get leg
IsIatio7 through congress and IN TINS
aiorc les the danger 20 both labor ana
railroad management
Mr. Harding has not yet used his
-bies weapons-publicity and an appeal
10 tho nation. He has not talked N
sISrmlnE phrases publicly as ne is
known to have done In private The
country would probably be aroused II
IL road Mr. Hard!ngs pen picture or the
crave conditions which lie ahead or IN"
,-,or!can people. II the industrial crisis
= not brought 10 an end now.
President Is Concerned
The President IS mostly concerned
over the coal situation. He thinks mo
country will suffer previously next WIN
- and ne doesn't dare TO say wnat the
damage will be 70 the already Slowly
improved husines conditions when haj
dome so much to cure unemployment ar"
Ting me nation back TO rormalcy. he
80 .b.+ at one fell swoop much OF
,.r,t has been accomplished 70 over
,r,c .hr business depression Whlca
.,,rted two years ago may be lost nh,
,ess the nation Is adequately supp"eu
with fuel.
Tho nuh OF tns situation IS. OF course.
r,,e' FOR industries. Mr.. Harding listens
70 The railroad executives as thcS pom
out that train service is not in'e'FupN
"a ,,d that conditions approaching nor
-, 40 bciDr every day bought nearer
h,,, no answers al! that By pointing l"
- Iocl, ~ cars 20 carry coal from ths
r,,,ds now being operated. IL ; "','
-, reasons Mr.. aHrding. not TO ne
,frc to get coal from the union i'e"'''
~ rs even worse 20 have cars Ad'h'uS
o., carry fuel from the non-union H'".@
u,t,,.s tha basis for drastic action "heh
ia. 80, corras for Mr.. aHrdiuG I" ac'.
,rbat,s mis- conception or hN''"""'
orce,cy IN which no believes hhe eN
-, has unlimited power even
congress Is slow 20 act
T'Ts president therefore. IN turning Il"
congress- tor help IS not sure % H''
ITO, soon enough 20 bring ths as
r,,,,pts IN the present strike under pen
-, NJ new laws, but what IS more
rfSclv - that both sides VIII grow more
.-actab's as they see the deInan" 10,
,c..jslatlon accelerated by a preSiueh''''
MESSAGE and supporting TuoHe "p'"
t,.r NJ FJa-ding knows OF course. that
- lao
hrinre remedy without actually bring
bi'I 70 a vote No one can tell on
,rc o.her hand what would he the mood
.o,rress ~ the coal famine - nm
r,,iovcd and the transportation Is I'M
paired
Al sorts OF proposals and SrGS"S-
ions wiu no doubt bc made when CON
..ress r~CoNveneS. Mr.. Harding WI
snIlow the recommendations OF his mes
-,po 70 congress last December when
Na stressed the necessity Of a code OF
principles which would emphasize the
.rral liability Of unions and their ieau-
,rs on a rar!,y with corporations and
heir managers Decisions OF the fed
r~al courts have since proclaimed the
r-i,Clnls that labor unions could be
-ued lust as corporations can be and
rs along the line Of establishing culHa-
hilitv for concerted action that the eN-
rrutivey will undoubtedly work Mr..
Harding. when a member OF the senate.
voted for the anti-strike provision
which was passed by the senate, but
Eliminated from the Esch-Cummtns act
when u was in flual conference between
he house and senate.
The threat Of political repr!sals
.aused the elimination. II was just be-
fore the congressional elections. The
.ame political threats are being made
.rday, but there IS crisis pending
which will not make Il so easy for
.ongresy 20 dodge its responsibilities.
The president has shoulderet them
,,one for the last month and now VIII
,sk congress 10 aid. II the presidents =
uollt!cal fortunes are 70 DO affected 50
,ylu those OF members Or congress.
The truth IS. congress would be de
lighted II the strikers and employers
would only max" peace and Save mem
hers of the house and senate from one
more OF the many embarrassmentS
which the reconstruction period in
\msrican history has contributed 10