The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1922-07-28

train OPERATION
President Harding Holds Rail
.Workers Can Be Drafted if
x.Government Takes Roads.
START INQUIRY IN TEXAS
War Department Orders Inspector Gen.
eral to Denison to Report Conditions
Coal and Rail Situations Occupy
Full Attention of Advisers.

Washington.-It was intimated at
the White House after a meeting of
the cabinet at which the rail and
miners strike were the sole subjects
of consideration that the government
would take over operation of the rail-
roads If the tie-up of traffic became
sufficiently serious to demoraiize busi-
ness. 1t was made plain that con-
scription of striking railroad workers
would be resorted to if necessary to
obtain experienced men to run the
trains.
Despite the failure of the railroad
labor board to reach an agreement
with the strike leaders in conferences
in Chicago the President and his cab
met advisers were still confident that
a way will be found to end the strike
without resort to federal operation Of
the roads.
The cabinet agreed that the gov
ernment had ample power to keep the
transportation lines of the country in
operation, but 1t was held that the rail
strike had not yet developed TO the
extent where interstate commerce was
being seriously interfered with.
Should the strike spread SO that the
movement of the mails and transporta-
tion generally was at standstill the
President is known to feel that the
government seizure and operation of
the carriers could be hastily put into
effect.
The view of the President Is that lie
does not think it would abridge the
liberties of any American to draft the
citizenship Of the country in order 10
meet any crisis, such IS general tie
up of the transportation lines. He
joins with his cabinet, however, in be-
lieving that the railroad situation Is
not likely to make this step necessary.
Much of the cabinet meeting was
devoted to the hearing by the Presi-
dent of reports from his aids as to the
latest developments in the situation.
Secretary of War Weeks and Attor-
ney General Daugherty reported as 10
plans for the use of federal troops
the railroad shops and rights of way.
The former laid especial stress on the
situation in Texas, where the inspec-
tor general of the Eighth Army Corps,
whose $4,000 troops are being held in
readiness for service, was sent to sur
vey the situation at Denison, where
several disorders have occurred at the
Missouri, Kansas & Texas shops.
The action by the governor of Texas
in dispatching officials to investigate
Ht.sftuation at Denison has had the
Hfeaf faf sMaking unneakAM or at
3aast- Iastpo4fng the usAASf federal
troops il All. aateN The adJutant gen.
eral Of Texas and captain of the
Texas Rangers have gone to Denison
to report the situation to Governor
Neff, Secretary Weeks was advised
Another development in the Denison
situation is the report that the Big
Four have agreed to help the shopmen
maintain order.
From other states the War Depart
ment has been advised that the strike
situation is not menacing. Executives
of several railroads have reported con-
cerning their lines, but no direct ap-
zeal hls been received for federal in
tervent.on. These reports show that
conditions in Oklahoma are relatively
bad, and that in West Virginia and
Ohio some trouble is being expert
enced. The Louisville and Nashville
is having trouble moving coal, The
general purpose of the striking rail
workers seems to prevent the move
lnent of coal from the nonunion fields
tl.ere. In some sections, not disclosed
by Mr.. Weeks the municipal authori-
ties are not fully cooperating with the
federal officials, but are sympathetic
10 the strikers. In no case where the
National Guard has been called out,
Mr.. Weeks said. has any disposition
developed among the state troops to
wink at any illegal acts of the strik-
ers.