New-York tribune., 1922-08-28
Report That Drastic Acc
sion Was Contemplated
Stirs Cabinet Members
to Quick Remonstrance
Strikers Welcome
Idea, Says Lewis
Rumor Circulated by Pres
ident's Friends Is Said
to Have Delayed Truce
By Garter Field

WASnlNGlCN, Aug. Zs.--Den-
mite announcement from the White
House that the government has no
intention in the near future Of TAX
ing over either the railroads or the
coal mines is confidently expected
by most of the party leaders here
tonight, as a result of the Presi-
dents weekend conferences.
Most of the big leaders of both
parties are literally aghast at the
Saturday morning publication of the
possibility of taking over the an
thracite mines and the railroads.
Yesterdays intimations irons the
White House, including the Presi-
dents conversation with Chairman
John T. Adams of the Republican
National Committee and Senator
Watson, that the President did not
really think the government would
have to take the step, but that he
wanted the power, did not fully re-
assure them.
Strikers Welcome Rumor
There is strong conviction on the
part of many here that the interview
given out by Senator Cummins on
leaving the White House Friday. In
timating that the government might
take over the hard coal mines and GER
tain railroads, strengthened the hands
of the strikers in both industries
beyond calculation. This conviction
was strengthened this morning by
John Z. Lewis, head Of the United
Mine Workers. when he said that he
would welcome government operation
Of the mines.
operators only separated by a dis
agreement as to the length of time the
new contract is TO run--not by any
question Of wages, hours or working
conditions--it is believed here that
settlement might have been reached
any day, but that this probability of
settlement has been made much less
likely by the belief given the mine
union officials that the government
might take over tn. mines If there is
no agreement.
Cabinet Members Startled
1t is known that several members
Of the Cabinet were given shock
when they read the papers Saturday
morning. At the Cabinet meeting the
very day before there had been moth
ing to suggest such possibility. There
followed hurried visits TO the White
House, and it was made clear by the
President that he did not really think
there was any probability of using this
power, but that he would like the
legislation passed by Congress so that
it would be available in case the onaer-
gency should continue.
Later in the day, hearing of the
Presidents statements to callers who
opposed government operation in any
form, some OF the Presidents advisers
who really a4e anxious to bring about
government operation Of sny ;naestry
st any time urged him to make state
ment approving. the legislation for
seizing the mines and railroads, whish
the President had discussed with Sem
| ator Cummins. Ne such statement was
| issued, but intimations were given out
at the White House that the Presic
| dent did approve this legisiaticn,
/ No Politics In Situation
Far from being a9pureiy political
/ question, it is known that in the Last
! few days one OF the most important
Democratic leaders in Congress. q man
/ frequently mentioned for the ncrnina-
1 tion to oppose President Harding in
! 1928. has paid a visit to the President
! to urge him from patriotic stand
| point not to consjder government opcr-
alton either of the railroads Or mines.
1 This Democrat, d personal friend os
i the President, told Mr.. Harding that
| he had not been able to sleep the
night before thinking os the sunse-
/ quences which would flow in the wake
/ Of such action.
i A member Of the Presidents Cabi-
net said to-day. in talking the situation
over with personal friends, shat gov-
ernment seizure. either Of mines or
! railroads. would Of course gst nowhere
/ unless Q complete surrender was naasio
4 to them.
! One Of the President d advisers. who
was aitting in the eroup, promptly
/ predicted that tha government wunld
be operating both mipeS ard railroads
within d month. This particular ad-
viser of the Prssidant always has been
4 in favor of government operation ol
/ railroads and mines
The conviction that there will Be q
i statement from the Whita House within
4 the next day or twc assuring the eoun-
4 try that there will be no government
4 seiEare Of mines or railroads Is based
on tho conviction that the opinions al
i Senator kellogg and Secretary AZ Gem.
msrce Hoover will prevail III the con
ferenees now under wayl on the Mag
i flower.
Daugherty and cumraias were at the
White House on Friday at the inter.
4 view which was followed BY senatcs
Il Crmmsns sensational statement, buy
| both had plenty Of opportunity to sense
the reactions 80 the Cufunins stats.
z rnent yesterday before ernharksnx wist
4 p<.r ~ a