The New York herald., 1922-10-18
HARDING WOULD PUT
TEETH IN RAILBOARD
VIII Ask Anti-Strike Power
for That Body in Annual
Message.
FOR OFFICES AT CAPITAL
Change in Headquarters to BE
Among Pleas Made to
Congress.
Special Dispatch 10 THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Oct. IL.

Special Dispatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Oct. IL
President Harding will recommend
some important changes in the Esch-
Cummins transportation act, under
which the railroads are operating, in
his annual message at the opening of
Congress in December
The President will recommend
changes relative to the railroad labor
board. The most specific will be for
the removal of the labor board from
Chicago to Washington. The most i'm
portant will deal with the power of
the board to meet strike situations
and its procedure after a strike is. de-
clared. The President, though he has
we'll defined ideas as to the legisla-
ton needed, prefers to have Congress
put it into form of its own choosing.
Closer Touch Needed.
The message Will recommend that
the labor board be brought into closer
touch with the Interstate Commerce
Commission and that the activities
of the two bodies be harmonized. The
Interstate Commerce Commission con-
trolls rates which govern earnings of
the carriers, while the labor board
governs wages. the greatest item of
expenditure.
One of the chief difficulties in the
intricate railroad problems OF the last
two years has been to keep wages
and earnings on a ratio which would
not stifle traffic.
The railroad labor board was To-
Gated at Chicago as matter of con-
venience and economy for the large
number of union and railroad repre-
sentatives who would have to appear.
1t was figured by Congress that n
central location would save much travel
and the board would be removed from
bureaucracy. The President is now con-
WINGED that the board should be in
Washington.
President Harding prefers that Con-
sress do its own phrasing in putting
teeth into the railroad labor board
organic act for many reasons, one of
which is the impression left by the
shopmen's strike. In his handling Of
this situation the President was the
victim of bad faith in one Of the most
important actions OF the settlement
program. He then had to face divided
counsel and make an indirect approa CHI
to settlement, which was worked
out finally on the ground which he
had originally outlined and which he
had been assured of agreement before
the railway executives voted it down.
Teeth or New Body.
The President therefore is convinced
that the labor board should have teetn
or that it should give way to another
body constituted with sufficient power
to meet an emergency such as that
which threatened the country in the
early summer.
Other phases of the rail problem will
be- taken up by the President The rail-
roads coming out of the recent strike
are finding 1t impossible to meet de-
mands of shippers for cars Car short
ages are reported from many sections.
Railroad leaders declared. however than
this is not the exception. as the rail-
roads have been called upon in recent
weeks to handle peak OF traffic of all
classes. The carriers, they say never
can carry sufficient equipment to meet
an exceptional peak load.
General Improvement in the trans
portation situation is expected by Ad-
mnistration officials, but they believe
car shortage and other conditions will
be so acute as to cause redoubed
clamor, which will force some form OF
action from Congress.
President Harding is approaching the
problem on a broad basis and with a
determination to keep the railroads out
of the hands of the Government.