, 1922-07-24
Unnroped by Fedr-Uninfluenced by
HuSteyid

THERE r a few .belligerent individuals scat
L tered over tho country who have been clamor-
ing for the use of military force by the federal gov
eminent for the termination of the railroad and
coal strikes. These few men, who do not them
selves feel the restraining influence of responsib-
ility. criticise President Harding for the patient
and deliberate manner in which he has endeayored
10 bring harmony where there is controversy, and
10 renew industrial activity where there is idleness.
But the thoughtful man who advocates observance
of constitutional requirements and who believes in
government by law rather than by hysteria, will
heartily endorse the course the president has pur-
sued.
The preservation of peace and order is not pri-
marily a federal function.
The founders of the government having had I'M
pleasant experience with outside rulers, took care
TO guard the right of the states to exercise the po-
lice power in the preservation of domestic peace.
The constitution provides, however, that on the APP
p~lication of a legislature of a state, or of the execu.
tive, where the legislature cannot be convened, the
United States shall protect each state against do
nestle violence. So long as the power of the state
and its subordinate divisions is sufficient to pro-
tect it's people against domestic violence, the per-
formance of this duty should be left to the state
authorities. When they announce their inability to
protect their people it will be ample time FOR the
president to exercise the power of the federal gov
eminent.
1t must lie remembered, too, that neither the
merits nor the faults in connection with the coal
controversy and the railroad controversy, are all on
one side. The president would scarcely be justi-
fled in assuming to set himself up as practically a
ucldlOT ullleSS events Suan ueuOnStrate naC no
other course promises protection to life, liberty
and property. Hasty action in the controversial
stages of the present labor disputes would undoubt-
edly have brought injustice to one side or the other
and perhaps to both. The only duty of the execu-
tive, in a labor controversy, is to see that all citi-
zens are protected in their right to work and that
the decisions of the legally constituted government
tribunals shall be observed. Mr.. Harding's past
acts and utterances give assurance that he will
neither usurp authority nor shirk a duty.
Instead of becoming doubtful as to the wisdom
and the strength of character of the president, be-
cause of his deliberate course, the country should
have renewed confidence in him as chief executive.
Those who are prone to %criticise should aim their
criticisms against local authorities who have not
exercised their full power in an effort to suppress
domestic violence.
The people may rest assured and all interests
may rest assured that if the time ever comes, and
we all hope no such day arrives, when conditions
call for the use of the federal power, the president,
as commander in chief of the military forces, will
give the necessary authority and that authority will
be exercised by the secretary of war who, like the
president, is accustomed to perform his duties with
deliberation, with wisdom, and with courage.