Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-08-09
(By United press.)

Washington, Aug. 9.-Presldent
Harding next week will place before
Congress for approval the govern
ment's plan for seizure of certain
railroads and coal mines, if the twin
rail and coal strikes show no signs
of breaking down by that time, ad-
ministration officials stated today.
The executive has about aban-
doned hope for an amicable settle
ment of the rail strike, and is hope
full but not confident of an early set
tlement of the coal dispute.
With all his mediation efforts fac
ing failure, President Harding wants
Congress back of any emergency mea-
sures that he may find it necessary
to take to project the public In
! terest.
Although the executive now has the
authority to take over the railroads
or the mines when he believes condi-
tions would warrant such action,
Harding desires Congressional sane
ton for such drastic step. Leglsla-
ton also would be needed to provide
for efficient operation Of the utilities.
In order to be completely prepared
to meet any emergency, as outlined
above, the President has summoned
all members of the House back to
/ Washington.
Indications today were that his
latest rail settlement proposal, call
ing for return to work by the strik-
ers, leaving the troublesome senior
ity question to settlement by the
railroad labor board, would be reject
ed by the strike leaders. The leaders
met here today to pass on the ques-
ton, but they will not make their
formal answer until after this Fri
day, as they want to submit their
decision to the heads of the 16 rail
road labor unions who confer here
on that day.
A representative of union vessel
men Of the Great Lakes was station
ed at the Labor Department today
pending decision as to whether the
union will enter the peace conference
called by government officials.
The strike was held up at the in
stance of officials who invited the
opposing sides to conference.
The carriers association will meet
in Cleveland Thursday to decide
whether it will enter the conference.
Bert NJ. Jewell, leader of the shop
craftsmen, announced the govern
ment would have to take over all
the railroads if his men are to go
back to work.
eve will not abandon any of our
in 81
refuse to order return to work on
only a few lines. THE government
must take over all the lines II the
strike is to be called off.
Jewell supplied figures to show
that the equipment was deterorlat-
ing rapidly due to lack of skilled at
tention. Locomotives and other
equipment by the thousands are GO
ing out of service daily, he SAID.
Even if the strikers were to go back
today it would require more than
year to whip the effective equipment
into shape, he said.
The present state of a large per-
centage of railroad equipment con-
stitutes menace to public safety,
the strike leader said.
The railroad executives will meet
in New York Friday to pass on the
Harding proposal that they reassign
the strikers to duty, pending action
bv the labor board on the question
Of seniority rights.
The heads of the 16 railroad la
Dor unions meeting here on the same
day we're summoned to decide on a
plan of action to conserve the pubic
interest and evolve means Of settling
the strike on a fair and equitable
basis. This was construed IS mean
ing that the conference would advise
the president of the dangers involv-
ed in continuing the strike, the ne
cessity for withdrawing engineers
and other workers from defective
equipment and would demand Presl-
dent Harding's request for the re-
turn next Tuesday of all House mem
bers and his demand that they stay
on the job to help meet the strike
situation has caused pandemonlum
among the congressman who are out
making vigorous campaigns for re-
election.
Because of the critical situation
they do not dare to refuse to accede
to the Presidents Request, but at the
same time they fear their opponents