, 1922-08-18

the wage contracts which are now
being made
The need for such Investigation and
Independent confederation Is revealed
by both operators and mine workers
in the Cleveland agreement SO recent
ly made. The government will glad.
ly cooperate with the industry in
this program 80 far as It Is to the
public ~interes so to do. but I have an
unaltersble conviction that no lasting
satisfaction or worthwhile results will
ensue unless we may have a govern
ment commission. independent OF the
industry. clothed with authority by
the congress TO search deeply. so that
II may advise as to fair wages and as
to conditions OF labor and recommend
the enactment OF lawr to protect the
public in the future.
The almost total exhaustion of coal.
the crippled condition of h railways.
! the distressed situation that has aris-
en- and might grow worse in u great
cities due to the shortage OF anthra-
cite. the suffering which might arise
In the northwest through failure TO
meet winter needs by lake transpor-
tation. all these. added to the posi-
bility of outrageous price demands. In
spite OF the most realous voluntary
efforts OF the government to restrain
them. make II necessary to ask you
to consider at once some form OF temp
orzry control Of distribution and
prices.
PART SEVEN.
This administration earnestly has
sought 10 restrain profiteering n to
secure the rightfui distribution OF such
- 49, -..~.ArA a. tAFr
emergency. There were no legal pow
ers for price control. There has been
cordial cooperation in many fields. a
fine revelation OF business conscience
stronger than the temptation to profit
by a peoples misfortune. There have
been instances of fiat refusal. I re-
joice TO mako grateful hcknowiedg-
ment to those who preferred to con-
tribute to national welfare rather than
profit by n nations distress.
II 1t may hnve your approval. I rec
ommend immediate provision for a
temporary national ooal agency with
needed capital 20 purchase. sen and
distribute coal which is carried IN In
terstate shipment. do not mean
that all interstate coal shall be ham
died by such n federal organization;
ptIIhps hOhc Wlh 10 hb(C16dAg DaN
It Will restore its capital to the pub
lie treasury and VIII be instrumental
ity of guarding III public interest
where private conscience is insensible
to a public moo
This proposal does not relate to any
! possible employment In ~intrastate
shipments. Price restraint and equit-
able distribution in intrastate ship
-,1,W. q, 4, ~a,-1,~fANtsv - .Aa ufarotg
own government. In such voluntarily
activities. as have been carried on thus
far. the federal government has en-
deavored TO ~re-cstablish the authority
and responsibility in the states which
was undermined in the necessary cen
t~ralization of. authority during the
world war.
PART EIGHT.
h public menace in >the coal sit
uation was made more acute and more
the strike of the federated shop crafts
in the railroad service-a strike
against a wage decision made by the
railroad labor board-directly affect
ing approximately 100000 men. The
! Justice OF the decision In not for dis
cussion here. The decision has been
lost sight of in subsequent develop
msnts. In any event. It was always
possible to appeal for re-heartng and
tho submission OF new evidence, and
it is always a safe assumption hat a
government agency Of adjustment de-
Gliding unjustly will be quick TO make
right IN wrong.
The railroad labor board was Gre
ated by congress for the eapress pur-
noaa NJ haarinp and daotdipU Hi~p,tfaa
between the carriers and their en-
pioyes. SO that no controversy need
lead TO an interruption in interstate
transportation.
It was inevitable that many wage
disputes should arise. Wages had
mounted upward. necessarily and just
ly. during the war uphoavsl likewise
tho cost OF transportation. so that
tho higher wage might be paid. 1t
was inevitable hat some readjust-
ment should follow. Naturally these
readjustments were resisted. The ad-
illustrative government neither advo-
Gated nor opposed. 1t only held that
the labor board was the lawful agency
of the government to heal and decide
disputes and its authority must be
sustained, as the law contemplates.
This must be so. whether the carriers
or the employers ignore its decisions.
PART NINE.
Unhnppily a number OF decisions Of
this board had been ignored by the
carriers. In only one instance. now
ever. had a decision, challenged by a
carrier. been brought to the attention
OF h department OF justice. and this
decision was promptly carried to the
courts and has recently been sustained
in the federal court of appeals. Tho
public or the executive had no knowl-
edge of the ignored decisions in other
cases, because they did not hinder
transportation. When these failures
Of many OF the carriers to abide by de-
cisions of tho board were brought to
my attention, I could more fairly ap
praise h feelings OF the strikers.
though they had a remedy without
seeking to paralyzc interstate com
merce.
The law creating the railroad labor
board is inadequate. Contrary 4 pop
ular impressions. 1t has little or no
power TO enforce its decisions, II can