Evening star., 1922-08-14
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and Virginia.
All Other States.
Crisis in Rail Strike.

The time has arrived when the gov
ernment must assert, and make Sooo
the assertion, that the right OF the pup
lie to have transportation Is superior
10 the rights either of the owners u
the railroads or railroad labor. Inc
President, as head of the government
and spokesman for all the people, has
patiently endeavored to bring about
peaceful adjustment OF the dispute.
His latest effort, apparently mas
failed, and it is difficult to see "hat
new proposal of mediation ne couiu
put forward with any prospect OIL sue
cess.
1t is indicated that as hrst step
the government is prepared 10 USE
all its powers to prevent unlaw1ui III
terference with the movement OF
trains. The telegram sent oy MI
Harding to the Governor OF Arizona
and the instructions given by the Az
torney General to the United states
district attorney at Los Angeles are
comforting assurances that the gov
ernment will not be weak-kneed In the
exercise of those powers. so rar as
protection to men willing to work Will
keep the trains moving, the puolic can
dismiss concern. The government can
and will afford that protection. hul
that will not surely avail if increasing
numbers Of men refuse to work.
The attitude cf the railway execu-
tives as they left Washington, that
they expected fight to the tinlsh'
is not fortunate. \ fight to nnlsh
could mean but one thing. the CONF
plete crushing of the unions OF rail-
way workers now on strike. The other
organized railroad workers are not 60
ing to see these unions crushed VIII
out an effort to succor them. IL may
be more or less of preteXt that rail-
road equipment has deteriorated 10
point where operation of trains Is I'M
safe. or that the employment OF armed
guards endangers life, but if the train
men avail themselves of such pretext
and refuse to work the results Will be
no less disastrous. No amount OF pro-
lection will keep the trains moving II
men cannot be found able and willing
to operate them.
Ability to keep few trains moving
will not meet the necessities or the
public. If and when the coal strike is
settled, maximum transportation Will
be necessary in order to prevent
fuel famine.
It is fortunate at this time OF crisis
that tomorrow will see both houses OF
Congress- again in session. Whatever
additional authority the President may
need to deal with the situation should
be given promptly. Extraordinary
powers were freely conferred upon
the executive when the nation faced
the perils of war. and the peril the
nation faces today is no less real. No
greater disaster to America ever was
threatened on the battle1elds OF
France than would be involved now in
a complete breakdown of transporta-
ton.
1t is no time for excitement. or for
hasty words or deeds. But the emer-
gency is a very real one. and the gov
ernment must be courageous and reso-
lutte in meeting it. And in whatever
course necessity may require it to fol-
low the government is entitled to the
unwavering support of every loyal
American. 1t is the government Of
the United States, not merely the ad-
ministration of President Harding,
which is being put to this severe test,
and if the government fails to come
through successfully the very theory
of government of. for and by the peo-
pie will have been discredited.