The New York herald., 1922-09-02
WORKERS FESTIVE
Federal Chief Says the
Unions Insist He
Call Upon Every
body to Quit.
COUNCIL TO DECIDE
Labor Circles Confident
Any Recommendation
Will Be Adopted.
HARDING GETS APPROVAL
HARDING GETS APPROVAL
Senators Indorse Action in
Obtaining Injunction
Against Strikers.
Special Dispatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Sent l.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. C., Sept. I.
Samuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation of Labor. an
nounced to-day that he would lay be-
fore the executive council of the fed
GRAFTON next week the question of a
general strike of all labor unions In
the country as protest against gov
ernment by injunction
Mr.. Gompers refused to predict what
action would be taken, but said that
neither he nor the council could call
such a strike. There was no mistaking
the confidence in labor circles, how
ever, that any recommendation would
be accepted by the crafts. President
Gompers said hundreds of appeals
from unions asking a general strike
had been received.
Just an hour before Mr.. Gompers
made his statement with regard to a
general strike President Harding made
it known that the Administration con-
siders the injunction obtained in Chi
cago against the striking railroad
shopmen as entirely justified
II was stated officially at the White
House this afternoon that the Govern
ment Is determined TO make Transports
tion as efficient as possible and does not
mean to stop at the Injunction, IL other
steps are necessary.
The railroad strike has clearly re-
solved itself into a contest between the
Government and the full strength OF
organized labor In the United States.
Senator's Indorse Action.
Many OF the Senator's, including Sem
ator wadsworth and Senator Calder of
New York, indorsed the Admlnistration's
action in seeking an injunction. Many
others declined 70 comment at this time.
Senator Underwood. Democratic leader,
was outspoken in his Endorsement.
While there was some uneasness
manifest at the Capitol. officials gener-
ally do not believe that any general
strike will be called All the crafts and
organizations composing the member
ship OF the American Federation of
Labor would have to vote on such ac-
ton.
President Harding. IL Is known, in
structed Attorney-General Daugherty
to bring the injunction proceedings
against the striking railroad shop crafts
He felt that such a step was necessary
to establish clearly tho determination OF
the Government TO prevent a deliberate
hindrance to transportation. No ex-
planation OF the Attorney-Generals ac-
ton was deemed necessary by the White
House
Senator Underwood in addition to Is
suing q formal statement indorsing
the Government action. projected the
Injunction proceeding into the Senate de-
bate on the Cummins bill to stop prof.
teering in coal. lie attacked the Ad-
ministration for failure 60 take earlier
action 70 end the railroad strike. Sem
ator Watson (lnd.) wanted TO know
u,bat the Alabama Senator would do.
Action TOO Long Delayed.
"se,tle the railroad strike" Mr.. I'm
derwood said. That you have failed
"a do. You are just starting to do II
to-day. The strike began on the nrst
day ~ July and here, on the first day
~ Sentember. your Attorney-Genersl
,aisoe ont a restraining order 20 prevent
interference with the malls and inter-
s,ata commerce, which IL was your duty
IN safeguard from the very outset You
are beginning TO act after two months
Of the strike. ,
you cannot with this bill or any
other legislation. produce two tons OF
coai where only one exists. Your prob
lem IL to get That one ton where "
needed most, and you cannot do that
until YOU get this railroad strike set
He'd Your Administration Is just get
,in,r started on settling II. You are Just
hag,nninr 10 act. | have no disagree
r,ent with YOU as to the objective sought
In this legislation, but ! do disagree
with YOU az TO your methods"
senator Underwood demanded that
tho Republicans bring into the Senate
Immediately an anti-strike bill. He
declared the rail strike could be broken
al once IL the railroad labor board were
given power 10 enforce its decisions.
senator Cummins (Iowa). chairman Of
the Committee on Interstate Commerce.
announced II was his intention to intro
duce legislation to put more teeth In the
labor sections OF the Esch -Cummins
act. The Senator from
Iowa said he favored applying the anti
strike laws not alone TO railroad workers
but to every industry where the Gov.
ernment attempts to do justice to the
employees by prescribing working con.
ditions."
Senator Underwood declared: II don
see why you should hesitate 20 give 3
court we creatcd--the railroad laboI
board--power to enforce its decisions
why wait until after the election o
until the present strike is over befor'
acting7 We are very much more iikcls
Continued on Page Two.