Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1922-08-11
CABINET PUTS IT
UP To RAILROADS
Decides That Carriers Must Solve
Their Own Problems.
TO KEEP HANDS OFF FIGHT
President Hears RumbIngs of Deep
Discomfort Over Industrial Crisis
Danger of "Big Four" Broth
erhoods Going on Strike.

Washington, Aug. 5.-The railroads
must solve the transportation prob
lem for themselves, or the government
will operate those roads which fail to
do so. under receiverships. Both the
railroads and the unions have agreed
to abide by any decisions of the rail-
road labor board at Chicago.
AS a final effort the labor board
may of it's own accord summon car
Tiers and union officials before it and
render decision on the troublesome
seniority question that both parties
are bound by their own promises to
accept
just now the government will keep
hands off and give the railroads an
opportunity to demonstrate their abil-
fly to function.
This was the decision of President
Hartling's cabinet as made public by
the Chief Executive at his regular con-
ference with newspaper men follow
ing the cabinet meeting.
Rumblings of deep discomfort over
the industrial crisis and the report
that the rail brotherhoods might join
striking shopmen were discussed by
the cabinet in full, but the President
would make no comment. The SUBJ
ject was taboo. To every question
touching the rail and coal situation,
with the exception of the failure Of
his plan to mediate rail settlement,
a. Ill 70 or
questions.
Harding Claims Victory.
The President let it be known that
while he is keenly disappointed that
the rail officials did not accept his
plan I'm full, he feels that the gov
eminent has nevertheless won de-
eisiye victory.
Both the railroads and the unions
had agreed without qualification to
abide by any future decisions of the
labor board and both have agreed on
the questions about which the strike
was called, the President pointed out.
iShOuid it become necessary, it was
andicated the labor board is vested
with power to summon the cOntending
parties before it and render a de-
that Of seniority.
This move, like that to have re-
iceiyers named for inefficient. lines,
hinges entirely on developments, it
YVES stated
II the railroads show an increase
in the number of shopcraft employees
at work and improve frequent serv-
ice, as they claim to have done, there
viii be no interference by the govern
ment.
Roads Must Function.
If, on the other hand, rolling stock
continues to deteriorate, if the 'big
-four" brotherhoods join the striking
lshopment, or even if the danger of
their doing so is imminent, the gov
Iernment will act rapidly, it was de-
clared. With many sections of the
country already facing a winter fuel
famine, the President will not permit
anything to retard the transportation
system, those close to him say. There
must be marked Improvement in
stead of an. unchanged or deteriorat-
ing condition to avert government in
reference, the cabinet decided.
Conflicting reports reached the Pres
ident of the possibility of the rail
strike spreading to other unions. The
ibrotherhoods have protested to the in
terstate commerce commission against
operating engines that are not in good
condition. The locomotive inspection
clause of the transportation act is
not being enforced, the brotherhoods
charge.