The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-08-30
A MOVE TO
SETTLE STRIKE
BY CONGRESS
President and Advis-
ers Trying to Form
ulate Plan to End
Individual Strike

Washington, August 27-The ex-
acr scope Of the administrations
policy in dealing with the rail and
coal strikes is expected to reveal
itself within the next few days as
a result Of preparations which ap-
peared tonight 20 be nearing COM
pletion.
Whether the emergency legisla-
ton to be definitely urged upon
congress will include a presidential
authorization to take over and op-
crate rail and coal properties was
question that still remained un-
answered, but it was indicated that
officials probably
would make a final decision on
the point in the very near future.
In some quarters it was believed
that the proposal to arm the eXecu-
tive with these emergency powers
would be finally ithreshed over
anon the leaders who are with
President Harding on his weekend
cruise down the Potomac, and that
4 definite announcement Of policy
would follow the return here Of
the presidential yacht Mayaower
tomorrow morning.
Those in the preside nt's conf
dence said before he left for the
cruise last night that although he
Still believed Industrial peace would
be restored without resort to a gov
ernment operation, he was inclined
to feel that as precautionary mea-
sure he should be given full au-
thority to actbefore congress be-.
gins its contemplated recess.
In addition to Secretary Hoover
and Attorney General Daugherty,
two of the cabinet members who
have been particularly active in
shaping the governments course
during the strike period. the pres
ident was accompanied on the
Mayhower by Chairman Cumnsins
of the senate interstate commerce
commission. who already has draft
ed for Introduction in the senate
bill authorizing the executive
to take over and operate any indi-
yidual railroad which does not ade-
quately perform IT'S functions as a
common carrier. Before he went
aboard the Mayfower Senator
Cun1mins had indicated that his
measure and a similar one relating
to coal miners would be formally
introduced early this week.
Majority leaders say they are
confident that such legislation could
be passed through both senate and
house, if the president definitely
requested it, but at the same time
they conceded that congressional
approval would be by no means
unanimous. Although many mem
bers in both houses are demanding
that the government take charge
Of the situation in mos. emphatic
manner possible. there is a recog-
nized element Of strength ranged
against any movement that might
approximate return Of the war
time government railroad admins
tration.
Particular attention was given in
congressional circles today TO the
public statement made last night
by Chairman Winslow OF the house
interstate commerce committee. de-
claring that, in his opinion. the
coal fact finding and distribution
bills already pending would serve as
sufficient warning to the industries
involved and that more drastic leg
islation could safely be withheld
for the present. 1t was pointed out
that President Harding's recon-
mendation for coal purchasing
and selling agency had thus far
not even resulted in any effort to
bring in bills for carrying it into ef-
feet, and that even the fact find
ing and distribution bills had not
encountered perfect sailing weather
either in the senate or house.
The senate having laid aside the
Borah fact finding bill entirely un-
til the middle of the week because
of prolonged attacks upon it. the
efforts to deal with the strike
problena at both ends of the capitol
tomorrow will be confined TO COM
mittee consid deration of the respec-
tive distribution bills introduced by
Chairman Cummins and Chairman
Winslow
In the house committee the Win
slow bill will be the subject of n
FIVE hour public hearing. at which
all persons interested Will be per-
mitted to present their views.
House leaders plan TO call it up in
the house on. Tuesday.
The senate committee with the
Cummins distribution measure be-
fore it has adopted definite pro-
gram Of procedure. but it is expect
ed an effort will be made by some
members TO delay action and hold
hearings before it votes its approv-
al or disapproval.
Marion, H.. August 2S-More
than TWO months after % non-un-
ion mine workers ar Lester Strip
Pit were killed. what has come to
be known as the .'Herrin Massacre"