Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-09-09
Harding in Close Touch
With Developments
at Chicago.

Washington, Sept. 8.-(By The As
sociated Press.)-On the basis of
personal reports to certain admin
istration leaders, a more optimistic
view of the railroad strike situation
was apparent Friday In government
circles than in the past week
Several officials who have been in
close personal touch with strike de-
velopments declared that settlement of
roads was probable" result of the
series of conferences which they un-
derstood to be in progress in Chicago.
The extent to which the negotia-
tons might go toward a national set
tlement was not forecast in these
circles, but the hope was expressed
that partial peace with key" roads
might serve-as was the case in the
bitumipous coal settlement-as
starting point for a general settlement.
Many Roads Represented
The Chicago meetings were said to
have been largely result of efforts
on the part of Daniel Willard of the
Baltimore & Ohio railroad, who was
understood to have associated with
him representatives of about $1,000
miles OF operated track.
Attorney General Daugherty in a
statement Friday night, said the gov
ernment was not party to any nego-
tiations between the railroads and
their employees but declared that such
negotiations would not be interfered
with by the temporary restraining or
der issued at Chicago.
There was no development Friday
in connection with the legal back-fire
started by the International Brother
hood of Electrical Workers one
group of the striking crafts-through
a petition for restraining order TO
prevent enforcement of the govern
ment's temporary injunction.
Officially, the administration Is do
ing nothing to further the negotiations
between railroad executives and labor
chiefs. with view to settlement of the
shopmen's strike, but President Hard
ing was said TO be fully informed as
to what Is transpiring and anxious
to see negotiations terminate in de-
sirable results.
Efforts TO obtain an official state
ment at the White House as to the
presidents views on the situation re-
suited in an authorized statement that
they could not with propriety be dis
closed at this time. 1t was pointed
out that it rests in the hands of a
number of persons, governement Off
clals, as well as railroad executives
and labor leaders, and it was indicated
that any discussion by administration
officials might embarrass those who
are seeking a settlement.
Considers U. S. Injunction
While the rail settlement was un-
derstood not to have been included in
subjects taken up for extended discus
sion at Fridays cabinet meeting, it
was understood that some reference
was made to the status of the govern
ment's injunction, in view of official
statements that modification of the
temporary order would not be opposed
when the case was called in Chicago
Monday.
The cabinet was said to have dis
cussed briefly also the coal situation.
an administration spokesman later ex-
pressing confidence that the house and
senate conferees would quickly reach
sufficiently complete agreement in
legislation designed to cope with the
present situation.
President Harding, it was stated. is
particularly concerned with the setting
up of machinery for ascertaining facts
about the coal industry.
The president, it was said. believes
that establishment of a fact-finding
commission would be great progress
sive step" and would prove TO be most
important in preventing future sus-
pension of work in both the bituminous
and anthracite fields.