Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-19
ACT To END BIG STRIKE
AFTER HARDING PROMISES
USE Of FEDERAL FORCES
Proposal of Brotherhoods as Mediators to Be Civ
en- Consideration by Transportation Execu-
tives in New York Next Week; President
Warns u. S. Will Tolerate No Lawlessness.

bers of the nom striking rail unions who
walked out in the far west Officials
of the administration were unwilling
to go into cases Friday night, however,
saying the presidents announcement of
his determination to enforce the laws
must speak for itself.
Throughout his address, President
Harding emphasized his desire that the
government should play mo favorites"
as between employers and employees
either in efforts to end the existing
strikes Or in future action against law
lessness.
Denounces Mob Rule.
Surely" he said "the threatening
conditions must impress the congress
and the country that no body of men,
whether limited in numbers and re-
sponsibility for railway management or
powerful in numbers and the necessary
forces in railway operation. shall be
permitted to choose a course which SO
imperils public welfare Neither organ
izations of employers of nor Of work
lngmens unions may escape response
biiity.
IF free men cannot toll according
to their own lawful choosing, all our
constitutional guarantees born OF dem
ocracy are surrendered to mobacracy
and the freedom of a hundred millions
is surrendered to the small minority
which would have no law
At the same time. the president called
attention to another element which he
said he believed was responsible to
some degree for strikes and for the diff
ficulties of restoring industrial peace.
Il refer" said he, ITO the warfare of
the unions of labor The government
has no sympathy o. approval for this
element of discord IN the ranks of in
dustry. We recognize these organize
tons in the law and we must accredit
them with incalcuable contribution to
labors uplift.'
Discussing the coal strike specifical-
ly. Mr.. Harding warned congress that
although the skies appeared to be clear
ing. more trouble could be expected
when wage contracts are renewed next
April unless the executive is provided
with adequate authority.
AT Mercy Of Unions"
He declared that except for coal
from nOnunion districts, the country is
at the mercy of the United Mine Work
ers," and detailed how settlement of
the present strike had been delayed for
many weeks. although evidences had
come to the White House that in many
localities the workmen were anxious
to return to their jobs
Arrangements for the presidents
appearance before congress which
twice had been postponed to await
developments in the conference of rail
executives and union chiefs in session
at New York were completed only one
hour before he went to capitol, and
during the morning his manuscript un-
derwent last revision after session
of the cabinet. 1t is understood that
although the New York meeting was
not mentioned in the address, the de-
cision to go TO the capitol without
further delay was reached after it had
become apparent no final agreement
ending the strike would be possible
for several days.
way up Pennsylvania avenue in q
White House automobile another COM
plieation developed which. for time,
threatened to overturn entirely the
plan for a joint session to hear the
address. Republican leaders in the
house hurriedly arranging for passage
of resolution authorizing the body
to sit with the senate in session were
stopped abruptly by point of mo-
quorum, introduced by Representative
Huddleston. democrat, Alabama Be
fore the beginning of the roll eau,
however, which would have required
upwards of an hour, and which the
leaders said might in the end reveal
that no quorum was present. Mr.. Hud-
dleston withdrew his objection upon
the request of democratic house leader,
Representative Garrett of Tennessee.
For the most part there was no
party division in the reception accord
ed the presidents declarations. the
applause sweeping the entire floor and
rateiy his warning against lawlessness
and swelling into prolonged ovation
as he concluded with the pledge to
"use all the power of the government
TO maintain transportation and sustain
the right of men to work."
BOTH SIDES "HOPEFUL"
Washington, Aug. 1S.-President
Harding was told Friday by Senator
Wat1an, republican. Indiana. one of hio
advisers in the rail strike. that long.
distance telephone conversations with
brotherhood chiefs and representatives
Of the railroad executives in New Ycr8
had disclosed both sides hopeful Of
settlement of the rail strike at FRI
days meeting"
Discussions of the troublesome
seniority issues were declared by the
Indiana senator to be based on pian
which roughly would provide.
First. that the men who did not 90
on strike 90 to the head Of the Inst In
seniority.
walked out July 1. or later be accord
ed seniority status second to the men
who remained at work.
Third, that, the new men taken on
during the strike be given . seniority