The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-08-22
BITTER
IN STRIKE MESSAGE
SAYS HE WILL INVOKE PRES
EMIT LAWS TO MAINTAIN
RAIL TRANSPORTATION.
DECLARES TRAINS MUST MOVE
Tells the Full Story of the Twin
Strikes to Congress, and Asks That
Legislative Steps Be Taken to Pre-
vent a Recurrence of Situation.

vent a Recurrence of Situation,
WASHINGTON, D. C.-Under the
shadow of an impending industrial
crisis President Harding went to con-
gress Friday, told the full story" of
the twin coal and rail strikes, and ask
ed that legislative steps be taken to
deal with the situation, and to safe
guard against repetition OF it.
The presidents message, a vigorous
document, dealt with both coal and
rail strikes.
In the coal situation the president
recommended:
l. That he be given authority to
create a national coal commission to
Investigate the whole industry.
Asks Coal Agency.
2. That congress consider at once
the creation OF a temporary national
coal agency with the needed capital
to purchase, sell and distribute coal
which is carried in interstate COM
merce.
In the railroad strike the president
did not recommend any legislation.
He severely criticized both sides in
the rail dispute. He described the rail
way labor board as entirely inadequate
to deal with the situation declared it
would have to be strengthened. and
condemned in almost unprecedentedly
strong terms the acts of violence in
both strikes, all the way from Herrin,
| H., massacres to the desertion OF
trains at desert terminal points in Ari
IONA.
Avoids Haste.
1T is not my thought" President
| Harding said, ito ask congress to deal
| with the fundamental questions.
| Strengthening the powers OF the la
Dor board) at this time.
mo hasty action would contribute
to solution OF the present critical sit
uation. There are statutes forbidding
conspiracy to hinder interstate COM
merce 1t is my purpose to invoke
these laws, civil and criminal, against
all offenders alike"
/ While the president asked no action
of congress at this time he affirmed
| the federal governments determine
ton to maintain transportation at any
. cost.
81 am resolved" he said ito use
all the power of the government to
maintain transportation, and sustain
the right OF men to work.
! The presidents condemnation OF
employers and of unions in both coal
and rail industries was probably the
q .,o.4 -o,-o-a a1-ar aJJracSed INV chief
executive to congress.
/ The railway executives he criticized
for their hard boiled" attitude, and
voiced thinly vailed warning that
there is a union-busting" campaign
+ in progress.
The government" he asserted, "has
no sympathy or approval for this ele-
ment of discord in the ranks OF indus
try"
The railway unions were criticized
for their unyielding attitude and par
! ticularly for their desertion of trains
at desert terminal points, causing sui
fering and discomfort to travellers.
1t was about the Herrin, ILL.,, mas
sacres, however. that the president
waxed most indignant. He expressed
wish that federal courts be empow-
cred to go into situations such as Her
rim and mete out justice.
Calls 1t Butchery
In that butchery of human beings,
wrought in madness, it is alleged that
two aliens were murdered" the presi-
dent said. This act adds to the out
ragged sense OF American justice the
humiliation which lies i'll the federal
Governments confessed lack OF author
! itv to punish that unutterable crime
Had it happened in any other coun
trv. the president said, I'VE would
have pitied the civilization that allow
ed it."
drance and intimidation, the presi-
dent declared there has been such
lack of care OF motive power that
the deterioration OF locomotives and
noncompliance with safety require
ments of the law are threatening the
breakdown OF transportation
Both Responsible.
Neither the railroads nor the UNI
| ions may escape moral responsibility
! for this situation, he SAID.
The whole tenor OF President Hard
inps address was interpreted as plea
| that congress take steps " PiCFOHt a
recurrence of the present conditions.
Groups who take the law into their
own hands, the president said, and at
tempt to control for their own purpos-
es the resources Of the whole people
| can only be regarded as perilS TO pub
lie society. He said neither employers
NOR employees could entirely escape re-
sponsibility for the present industrial
situation.
There can be no liberty and de
mocracy maintained in America, he
asserted, unless there IS the same
recognition given the right to work
as there is the right to quit work.
However he concluded, the legal
safeguarding against like menaces. in
the future must be worked out. when
no passion sways, when no prejudioes
influence, and when the problem may
be appraised, and the public welfare
be asserted against any and every m
terest which assumes authority be-
yond that of the government itsef.