Evening star., 1922-08-18

tSOnllnUtH from flTSt P2RS.D
dress, to call attention to the indus
trial situation confronting the coun-
try. growing out of the coal and rail
strikes, and to tell the efforts which
have been made by the administration
to effect settlements.
When the House assembled at noon
there was scant quorum present.
Representative Huddleson of Ala
bama. democrat. caused a temporary
stir by suggesting that a quorum
should be called to ascertain whether
the House was ready to do business.
with the President expected within
such action would have delayed the
address for three-quarters of an
hour. and had a quorum failed to
materialize. might have prevented a
joint meeting of Congress. He
finally withdrew the suggestion that
a quorum should be called.
Contrary to the usual condition
when the President addresses Con-
gress in joint session, there were
many unoccupied benches on the
floor of the House today. due to the
fact that many members of the House
are still absent from Washington.
The Senate. was present in large ma
jority.
At 1918 Mrs. Harding, accompanied
by A. D. Lasker. chairman of the
United States Shipping Board and
Maj. Baldfnger. entered the executive
gallery. Later she was Joined by Gen.
Sawyer, the Presidents personal
The galleries were well filed, and
many persons were standing in the
corridors. The summer costumes of
the women who predominated in the
galleries. added a touch Of color to
the scene.
The President entered the chamber
at 1928 and was greeted with pro-
longed applause from both sides of
the House as well as from the gal
lery.
He began his address in a low tone,
speaking slowly and distinctly. The
House and Senate listened in rapt at
tention and he was well along before
he was interrupted by applause. His
declaration that he had become con-
vinced a government commission, In
dependent of the coal industry, must
investigate and advise as to fair
wages and conditions of labor and to
recommend the enactment Of laws to
protect the public, reused the men,
bers to enthusiasm.
When the President reached his
discussion of the Railroad Labor
Board and declared that Its author
ity must be sustained. as the law con-
templates" again was there a burst
of applause.
Asks Guilty Be Punished.
The Presidents assertion that he
intended to use the full power of the
federal government under existing
laws to prevent the hindrance of in
terstate commerce and to curb law
lessness was the signal for further
approval. and some of the congress-
men broke into cheers.
The President insisted that neither
organizations of employers nor work
ingmenS unions may escape respon-
sibility when public welfare is i'm
periled. Calling attention to the vio-
lence which has been employed by
strikers and armed lawlessness, the
President said:
in many communities the munich
pal authorities have winked at these
violationss until liberty is a mockery
and the law a matter OF community
contempt 1t is fair to say that the
great mass of organized workmen do
not approve, but they seem helpless
to hinder. These conditions cannot
remain in free America
This statement of the President
apparently met a responsive chord
for ora again applause broke out.
ut is not my thought to ask Con-
Rress to deal with these fundamental
problems at this time," continued the
President NO hasty action would
contribute to the solution of the pres
ent critical situation. There is ex-
listing law by which to settle the
prevailing dispute. There are stat
utes forbidding conspiracy to hinder
interstate commerce. There are laws
to assure the highest possible safety
in railway service. 1t is my purpose
to invoke these laws, civil and Grim
inal, against all offenders alike"
The Presidents concluding state
ment was:
"Wherefore I am resolved to use
all the power OF the government to
maintain transportation and sustain
the right Of men to work" He had
been speaking a little less than three
quarters of an hour.