Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-07-25
HARDING Being
URGED TO TAXI:
DRASTIC Steps
TO end STRIK I:
Some Administration Lead
erS Favor Calling on Car
rierS to Restore Interstate
Commerce,
PRESIDENT IN FULL
CHARGE OF QUESTION
Chief Executive Has Au-
thority for Decisive AC-
ton Without Recourse to
Congress, Is Claim,
tBy The Associated PressD

Washington, July "a (by the
Associated Press. )--Whlle on the
surface concrete developments in
the railroad strike are lacking in
Washington today, the impression
gained. in official circles was that
the situation was rapidly being
shaken down" to a point where
new move by the administration
could be expected.
Cabinet members who discussed
the situation invariably declared
that President Harding was in
personal charge Of the question,
and, though there was more than
the belief that the cabinet would
be called upon to consider it at the
regular session tomorrow, no hint
was forthcoming as to the manner
in which the transportation crisis
would be laid before the presi-
dents official family.
Further evidence was obtained,
however. that some of the chief
executives advisers have urged
that the government cannot per-
nit the breakdown of the coun-
trys arteries Of commerce to go
further, while waiting for the man
agements and shopmen to dis
pose Of their differences.
Trains Annullcd.
Official reports have been re-
ceived, it is known, giving details
of the extent to which the strike
has been responsible for the al
most total "blanketing" of the
healthy business revival in the
United States, and while instances
Of direct interference with the
United States mails have recently
been conspicuously absent, postal
inspectors today recorded the fur
ther annullment of important
mail trains.
Some administration advisers
who favor a drastic move by the
government are known to hold the
view that President Harding
should demand that the railroad
executives make every effort to
restore interstate commerce, espe-
cially to the extent of abandoning
their stand on the seniority issue
said to be the crux of the whole
strike question-whereupo the
disputants would be expected to
come together on the matter of a
fair living wage for railroad en-
ployes, conceded 20 be the remain
ing important issue.
If the railroad executives re-
fused, it was declared, the presi-
dent, satisfied he has full authori-
ty and u duty delegated him by
the constitution to maintain inter-
state commerce and the mail serv-
ice, could proceed to operate the
roads.
Two Courses Open.
The president. it is understood,
has been assured by his advisers
that his authority for decisive ac-
ton, without recourse to congress,
is without question. Two courses
would be open to him in order
physically TO operate the roads, it
was said. First, he could request
the strikers to return to work un-
der government operation at the
old wage scale and with seniority
rights restored. If this failed, then
ANbtldi lipoDS COuIu Db FdIleu
upon to assure operation of the
trains.
The first course, the president Is
understood to believe, would be
acceptable to the strikers. who
would see in it the capitulation of
the railroad executives, and a VIC
tory won for labor. The chief
contention of the strikers, 1t was
said, has developed into a fight for
seniority, with the wage dispute
becoming subordinate.
There is little disposition in gov
ernment circles to consider meet
ing the emergency by actually put
ting the lines under government
operation. Powers given the In
terstate Comperce commission in
the transportation act were cited
as making this move unnecessary.