The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-08-19
Harding Is Strong For :
Government By Law
Blames Both Employers And
Employees For Present
Strike Situation
Declares No Small Minorlty"
Has Right to Override
The Public
Reveals Inadequacy Of Esch-
Cummin's Law When He
Asks New Measure

Washington. Aug. IS - President
Harding laid the whole story Of the rail
and coal strikes before the American
people today, with n pledge that. what
ever the cost government by law Will
be sustained.
Summing UP before joint session OF
scnate and House his efforts toward in
dusirial peace. the President asserted
that neither employers nor employees
could escape responsibility for the
present situation. and that no small
minority" would be permitted by armed
lawlessness." conspiracy" or "barbaF'ty
and butchery" to override the paramount
interests Of tho public.
Allegiance To Government
I'VE must reassert tho doctrine that
in this republic the FIRST obligation ana
the first allegiance Of every citizen, hiSh
or low. is 10 his government, SAID the
President. No matter what clouds may
gather no matter what storms may en-
sure, no matter what hardshtps may
attend or what sacrifice may DO neces-
sary. government by law must and Will
be sustained
Wherefore | am resolved TO use all
the power OF the governemnt to main
tain transportation ana 10 sustain TIC
right TO men TO work.
other than the amendment OF the
Esch -Cummins law to make the rail-
road boards decision enforceable. he
did not recommend any legislation TO
deal Immediately with the railroad
strike.
To strengthen the hand OF the admin
istration in dealing with present and
future coal troubles. Mr.. Harding asked
for authorization for national agency
10 purchase, sell and distribute COAL
and for creation OF a commission to IN
uuire into every phase of coal produc-
ton, sale and distribution"
Can Insure Ral Safety.
No similar request was made for en-
Urgency rail legislation, the president
asserting that although their labor
board had inadquate authority, other
agencies OF the government were armed
with statutes to prevent conspiracy
against Interstate commerce and TO in
sure safety in railway operation.
1T Is my purpose" he continued Ito
invoke these laws. civil and criminal
against all offenders alike
one other Legislative enactment. a la"
10 permit the federal government TO step
in and protect aliens where state pro-
executive as a result of what he term
cd tho "butChery OF human beings.
wrought In madness" at Herrln, Ill. De-
spite the protests OF foreign govern
menIs whose nationals suffered In the
Herrln mine battle. he said, federal DILL
Gals were powcrlesS 10 taken In mana
the situation created by the morcery
OF local inquiry and the failure OF JUS
tice IN Illinois
President Applauded.
Members Of the Senate and House re-
ceived the announcements OF the fres!-
dent with repeated salvos Of applause
and the leaders OF both branches an
nounCed later that no time would he lost
in putting his legislative notifications
into effect Generally the address won
appreciation from all elements IN con-
grcSs, although some Democratic mem
hers were inclined 70 criticize the cnict
executives utt"ranCcS as "apahl" or
double construction.
At the White House it was inGi'ated
that Mr.. Harding'S reference TO inNoca-
ton Of existing statutes against con
Spiracy related TO tn" sherman anu
trust law, under which the department
Of JUSTICE already has directed an in
yesligat!on OF the acts Of some members
Of non-strlkIng rail unions who walked
out IN the far west.
To Play No Favorites.
Throughout his address. President
Harding emphasized his desire that the
government should play no fav0ritcs as
horwccn employers and employees. either
In efforts 10 end the existing strikes or
in future action against lawiessn"Ss.
"Surely." he said the threatening
conditions must impress the congress ana
hot 10
limited in numbers and responsible for
railway management or p"W'fiui III
numbers and the necessary forces In
railwya OPERATION. shall be permitted 10
choose a course which 50 impcrlIS pun
lie welfare Neither organizations OF
cunloycrs nor workingmcn's unions may
escape Responsibilities.
"If freeman cannot toll according I"
their own lawful choosing. our '"nSti'u-
,ionaI guarantees born Of democracy
are surrendered 10 tn" small minority
which would hav" no law.
Al the sam" tim" the President called
attention to another element which ne
s,;d H., believed was r"Sp"ns'hI" to some
degree {" strikes and tn" ditll'ui'l"S OF
r.e,oring industrial peace.
Fair with Labor Unions.
"r rcrcr" said he. TO the warfare IN
,no unions If Labor. The government
h,s no. sympathy or approval for this
,I,.,n.n, 81 ds,ord in til" ranks Of m
dus,r.y We recognize these "rEan'Za-
tons IN tho law. and "" must arced" II
,nc,r with inrnlculahl" contribution t."
Iahur'~ upl!ft"
! discussing tho coal strike specifically.
: Mr. Harding warned congress mat
although ihc skies now appeared L. II"
,,.,riur. more trouble can n" expected