The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-08-18
Conference In New York
Busy With Plan To
Harmonic Situation
~niority Issue Being
keshed Out In Secret
Getting = President
Hears Outlook Is Fa-
vorable

Washington, Aug. 1S.-(By the AS
sociated Press Harding
today told Congress and the nation
that he was resolved "to use all the
powers of the government to maintain
transportation and sustain the right OF
men to work"
He declared the rights of employees
and employers alike to conduct their
business must be recognized, and he
also deplored what he termed war.
fare on the unions of labor"
The president declared national
investigation for constructive recon-
mendations as to the conduct of the
coal industry was imperative and he
recommended congressional in sti.
cation to advise as to fair wages and
conditions of labor.
Stating that the transportation act
establishing the Railroad Labor Board
WAS inadequate, being with little or no
power to enforce its decisions, the
president recommended action to
make The boards decisions enforce
able and effective against carriers and
employers alike"
He also presented other recommen.
dations as to the rail situation.
Message Ready
Washington, Aug. 1S.-Unless some
eleventh hour development arose Pres
ident Harding's message dealing with
the rail and coal situatio nwas ex-
pected to be presented to congress
early this afternoon. The message
was concluded late yesterday and sent
to the public printer last night, but
as the chief executive was uncertain
of his course when the House ad-
journed, no arrangements were made
to meet earlier than the usual hour of
II o'clock noon today.
1t has been understood yesterday
that the President would delay send
ing his message pending outcome of
the rail strike conference in New York
but last night it was said he con-
cluded he should no longer delay in
presenting facts as to the industrial
situation to congress and to the coun-
try, regardless of the conference now
in progress. That he, in reading his
message, would make some recon-
mendations," became known last
night, but there was no indication of
their nature.
Those in close touch with the White
House were said to believe the mes
sage would suggest the need of legis-
lation for controlling coal distribution
and prices but no action in the rail
sation would be suggested. 1t would,
Never, according to these sources,
RTe congress and the country that
Agovernment intends to do every
tHi4 within it's power for the main
'ehalce of rail transportation.
Although early resumption of coal
MINING in the bituminous fields and a
likely settlement of the anthracite
strike as a result Of the negotiations
now going on in Philadelphia were
looked to by administration officials
as precluding serious fuel shortage
this winter, it was recognized that
there would be some difficulty in get
ting the supply properly distributed
and to prevent proflteering. 1t was fol
that reason, it was said, the president
decided to point out to congress the
need for legislation to strengthen the
present control system.
Other than the amendment of the
Esch- -Cummins law to make the rail
road labor boards decisions enforce
able the president did not recommend
any legislation to deal Immediately
with the railroad strike.
In asking for coal legislation the
president said the governor had
sought earnestly to restrain profiteer-
ing and control the rightful distribu
tion of coal but was without authority
to control prices.
Outlook Hopeful
Washington, Aug. 18.-Presiden
Harding was told today by Senator
Watson, of Indiana, that a long dis
tance telephone conversation will
brotherhood chiefs and representa-
tives of the railroads in New Yorl
had disclosed that both sides wer'
hopeful Of a settlement at today
meeting.
Discussion of the seniority issue wa
declared by Watson to be based on |
plan which roughly provides that thu
men who did not go on the strike g
to the head of the seniority list, tina
employees who walked out July frs
or later be accorded aSseniority statu
second to that Of tlie men who re