The New York herald., 1922-08-11

(
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c.. Aug. 10.
Congressional leaders, facing the
possible necessity OF acting on the in
dustrial strike situation. grappled in
formally to-day with the problems
which it presents. President Harding
during the last few days has been in
constant touch with leaders of both
parties and is assuming that Congress
viii, deal with the problem that may
be presented to 1t later in a nom
partisan manner. since the action to
be taken win effect the economic well
being of the entire country.
In the event that the Goa. and rail
strikes are still unsettled the Presi-
dent may appear before Congress next
! week and declare that national emer-
gency exists. asking for additional au-
thority to deal with the situation.
| Possible steps that may be taken
| by Congress in that event were dis
cussed by Senators in the cloakrooms
/ While contact has been established with
( leading House members by telegraph
and long distance telephone. The
plans range from Government seizure
of the mines and railroads 70 the en-
actment of a compulsory arbitration
| law.
The Republican House members have
not yet decided to yield to the Presi-
dents desire to have the House in con-
tInuous session after it convenes August
Is. Republican Leader Mondel, who Is
In Wyoming. has been communicated
with, but withou. immediate results.
Representative Knutson (Minn.). Re-
publican whip. after consulting with Re-
publican leaders, left Washington Satur-
day without notifying all Republican
members it would be necessary to be
present at the reopening Of the House
sessions.
Senate Awaits Developments.
The attitude in the Senate may be
described as one OF "wsfchful waiting" !"
Senate leaders generally on both sides
of the chamber believe that the railroad
strike will wear itself out in a few days
unless the brotherhoods should decide to
walk out, and they profess to believe
this is unlikely. THY are hopeful that
the Cleveland negotiations between coal
operators and miners and the forces at
work among miners and coal operators
lend a hopeful color to the coal strike
situation
The Senators are hopeful the Presl-
dent will solve the strike problem with
out their Interference. They believe also
that the public does not sufficiently real
lie the public calamity that might result
from continuation OF the strike TO
justify drastic action Immediately.
Given a public realization of the fact
that II may be starved by tieup of
the railroads. or frozen this winter
through a prolongation of the coaI
strike. IT Is believed there will be a
basis of public support for action de-
scribed as possible public war measures
to prevent a national catastrophe.
The report that tentative bill has
been prepared by Senator Cummins
Gowa), chairman OF the Senate Com
mittee on Interstate Commerce was de-
MED to-day by the Iowa Senator. This
denial Is regarded as referring TO the
d
Republican Senators admitted they had
talked possible action over among them
| selves.
Hooper to Meet Leaders.
Ben NJ. Hooper. chairman of the rail-
way labor board. arrived In Washington
to-day for the PURPOSE OF consulting
with Senate leaders. Senator CummIns
admitted he had been informed that Mr..
Hooper was In the city. but said he had
made no appointment with him Mr.
Hoover. Il Is understood. has been called
here TO give the Senate leaders the
benefit ot his information concerning
the Issues Involved. None OF the Senate
leaders admitted they had seen him
to-day.
Several alternative plans for dealing
4 with the strike situation are under
consideration. and the one adorted will
depend largely upon the situation that
I exists when the necessity for action
+ occurs.
one OF them Is based upon the coal
strike situation, and the possibility that
the railroad strike may extend TO the
| point oc stopping transportation calls
! for the granting Of authority to Presi-
dent Harding to take over tho railroads