New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-10
Government Prepared to
Use Army to Keep Mails
and Interstate Commerce
Moving, When Necessary
Coal w alk-Out Adds
To Growing Peril
Administration Expected
to Handle Situation if
the Labor Board Fails

IRON The Tttbune's Washington Bure0u
WASHINGTON, July 9.--The whole
power of the Federal government will
be exerted, if need be, to prevent in
terruption of interstate commerce and
movement of the mails. This means
that the courts and the army are to be
used, If necessary, to keep traffic NOV
ing. The strike Of railway shopmen
will not be permitted to tie up trans
portation.
President Harding has returned from
his trip to Marion and other points to
find the coal strike unsettled and the
railroad strike in a situation which is
giving officials much apprehension
The Administration has been criticized
for not taking decisive steps earlier
to halt the coal strike, and reports of
fuel shortage are beginning to mul-
tiply. From some parts of the West
reports are coming to Washington that
the threshing of the wheat crop is de-
layed by lack" of fuel.
officials Hope for Truce
While it is hoped by high officials
that the coal strike difficulty will soon
yield to the efforts to bring about an
understanding, the Administration and
its advisers recognize that it is utterly
out of the question at this time to have
a great railroad tie-up on top Of the
coal strike. Such a tie-up would cause
not only enormous financial loss, but
public suffering to degree which can
hardly be estimated.
The success of the Railroad Labor
| Board in getting railroad employees
other than shopmen to continue at
| work-the latest instance being that
ground for hope that truce will yet
| be arranged between the shopmen and
J the Labor Board whereby the strike
will be called off and the differences
will be settled in orderly fashion. But
if this truce cannot be arranged then
there is every reason to believe the
Administration will act with a firm
hand
Under the recent decision of the Su-
preme Court, such as the Coronado de-
cison, the government undoubtedly is
in a strong position if it chooses to
utilize the full power which resides in
the courts to prevent interference with
commerce or with the property of, the
railroads engaged in commerce. Strike
funds undoubtedly are vulnerable to
legal procedure.
Federal Power Unlimited
Moreover, when it comes to use of
force to keep mail trains moving and
to prevent the blockading of interstate
commerce, there is no question that the
power of the Federal government is
practically unlimited. The only real
question in this respect is how far the
Administration is willing to go. Utter
ances of President Harding on his
Western trip. along with various de-
velopments, however, have left little or
no doubt here that President Harding
will take as firm stand as Grover
Cleveland did nearly two decades ago.
when he set his foot down hard against
interference with the movement of the
mails and took steps to use the regular
army to keep mail trains moving.
Congress thus far has remained in,
active for the reason that no practical
proposition for Executive action has
been brought forward. Talk OF anti
strike legislation has been heard, but
is not taken seriously. Moreover, the
House is in recess, though it could, If
necessary, be called back to Washing.
ton. Undoubtedly the temper Of
Congress is such as to make it certain
it will back up the Federal government
in any reasonable action it may take,
however vigorous, to prevent the halt
ing of the roads.