The New York herald., 1922-08-17
PROGRAM HELD UP
Harding's Decision on
Making Speech Will
Depend on Days
Developments.
LODGE is OPTIMISTIC
Believes Address Would Go
Far i'm Relieving
Nations Anxiety.
LODGE is OPTIMISTIC
COAL PEACE is CHEERING
Shopmen Believe Mine Settle
ment Will Make Roads More ,
ConciliatOry.

Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HEsro.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Aug. 16.
President Harding planned to-day to
address a joint session of the Senate
and House at i o'clock Tomorrow
afternoon on the industrial crisis re-
sulting from the coal and railroad
portant message Mr.. Harding has ever
delivered to Congress, and one of the
most important from any President In
the country's history, in the opinion
OF Senators who visited the White
House and made final arrangements
for his appearance at the Capitol.
. 1t was stated at the White House
late tonight that there was a pos
sibility that the President might post
pone his address to Congress and
await Developments at the conference
tomorrow in New York between the
railroad executives and the heads OF
the railroad brotherhoods acting in
behalf of the striking shopmen. 1t
may not be known positively when
the President will go to the Capitol
until an hour or so before he starts.
He spent most of to-day preparing
his message.
AS the speech was outlined in the
Presidents mind he did not intend to
mince words in describing the serious
ness OF the situation and the threat
which 1t holds against the welfare of
the people and the authority of the
Government.
He will paint the picture in all its
ugly aspects as well as it's hopeful
ones, and will appeal to the people and
Congress to remember the best ira
ditions OF the Republic and be ready to
act in accordance With them.
The President has considered his
course carefully. He has reached his
decision to speak publicly on the sub
ject at this juncture. knowing fun well
that there is a difference of opinion
among the Republican leaders ina Con-
gress as to the wisdom of his course.
To Point out Danger.
He believes that 1t is his duty to
acquaint the people OF the nation with
all the facts; Of the danger Of a coal
famine this winter. even with the coal
strike virtually settled the need Of
Government authority to compel proper
distribution OF coal and fix prices; OF
the failure of his efforts TO settle the
railroad strike and the danger OF
spread OF that strike to include the
Big Four railroad brotherhoods. which
would mean n complete paralysis or
railroad transportation: and perhaps
most important of all. the danger OF In
creased violence and a challenge 10 the
power of the Government, which might
turn industrial warfare into something
more serious, which no American likes
70 consider.
While speaking directly to the men,
bers of the Senate and House as they
sit before him In the House chamber
tomorrow the President will In reality
be addressing every man, woman and
child In the United States. The Presi-
dent will impress upon Congress the
necessity Of attacking the fundamental
evils of the Industrial situation. In the
case of the railroads he Will speak OF
the public's duty to stand squarely back
OF the decisions and authority OF the
railroad labor board. the agency created
by Congress to hear and act upon labor
disputes in this field OF industry.
Senator'S were informed that the
President will ask for Congressional ac-
tion 10 remedy the basic difficulties in
the coal industry which cause the re-
current strikes. lie probably will rec
ommend the creation OF coal commits
sion to study the entire situation and
which may be empowered to regulate
prices and distribution of coal as well
as settle labor controversies.
To state Broad Principles.
II Is expected that the President will
state merely the broad principles which
he believes Congress should embody into
legislation. and will leave the details TO
be worked out by Congress itself.
Although there Is one group composed
Of Republicans In the Senate and House
who are opposed to tho Presidents
course and believe that his appearance
before Congress and request for legisla-
tlon at this time will muddy tho
waters" that Is not tho opinion OF Sena-
tor Lodge tMass). Republican floor
leader who conferred with Mr. Harding
at the White House this morning.
Mr.. Lodge believes that the Presidents
address. OF which he has some advance
information. will have salutary effect
and will go far toward relieving the
anxiety prevailing throughout the coun-
try.
The other group takes the position
that there should be no half way IN
dustriai settlement or compromise IN the