Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-08-26
RIGHT TO WORK
TO Re UPHELD
President Says Transportation
Must Be Maintained
TELLS PLANS TO CONGRESS
Congress To Act-Leaders Announce
Recommendation viii Be
Put In Effect
Promptly.
TELLS PLANS TO CONGRESS

coal strikes before the American peo-
pie with pledge that. whatever the
cost. government by law will be sus-
tanned.
Summing up before a joint session
OF Senate and House his efforts to.
ward industrial peace. the President
asserted that neither employers nor
employees could escape responsibility
for the present situation and that no
small minority" would be permitted
By armed lawlessness." conspiracy"
or "barbarity and butchery" to over.
ride the paramount interests OF the
public.
We must reassert the doctrine that
In this republic the first obligation and
the first allegiance of every citizen.
high or low. Is to his Government"
said the President mo mater what
clouds may gather. no matter what
storms may ensue. no matter what
hardships may attend or what sacri-
fee may be necessary. government by
law must be sustained.
Wherefore | am resolved TO use all
the power OF the Government to main.
tain transportation and to sustain the
right OF men to work"
To strengthen the hand OF the Ad-
ministration in dealing with present
and future coal troubles. Mr.. Harding
asked for authorization OF national
agency 10 purchase. sell and distribute
coal, and for creation OF commission
10 inquire into every phase of coal
production. sale and distribution"
No similar request was made for
emergency rail legislation. the Presi-
dent asserting that although the Rail
road Labor Board and inadequate au-
thority other agencies OF the Govern
ment were armed with statutes to pre-
vent conspiracy against interstate
commerce and to insure safety in rail
way operation.
II Is my purpose, ne continued. ito
against all offenders alike"
One other legislative enactment. a
law to permit the Federal Government
to step In and protect aliens where
State protection fails. was advocated
by the Chief Executive as result OF
what he termed the "butchery of hu.
man beings. wrought in madness" at
HerrIn. ILL., Despite the protests Of
foreign Governments whose nationals
suffered in the Herrin mine battle. he
said Federal officials were powerless
10 take in hand the situation created
by the mockery OF local inquiry and
the failure OF justice in Illinois"
Throughout his address President
Harding emphasized his desire that
the Government should play no favor
ties as between employers and EN-.
ployees either in efforts to end the
existing strikes or in future action
against lawlessness.
Surely" he said the threatening
conditions that impress the Congress
and the country that no body OF men,
whether limited in numbers and re-
sponsible for railway management or
powerful in numbers and the neccs-
sary forces In railway operation. shall
be permitted TO choose a course which
so imperils public welfare. Neither
organizations OF employers nor work
ingmen's union may escape RESPONSE
bility.
III free men cannot toll according
to their own lawful choosing all our
constitutional guarantees born OF
democracy are surrendered TO mob
ocracy and the freedom Of q hundred
millions is surrendered to the small
minority which would have no law"
At the same time the President
called attention TO another element
which he said he believed was respon-
sible to some degree for strikes and
for the difficulties OF restoring indus
trial peace
II refer" said he. TO the warfare
on the unions OF labor. The Govern
menL mas uO byHpdthy va "PPtO'"'
for this element OF discord in the
ranks Of industry. We recognize these
organizations in the law. and we must
accredit them with incaiculable con-
tribution TO labor's uplift."
Discussing the coal strike specih.
cally. Mr. Harding warned Congress
that, although the skies now appeared
TO be clearing. more trouble can be
expected when wage contracts are re.
newed next April unless the Execu-
tive is provided with adequate au-
thority. He declared that except for
coal from non.union districts "the
country Is at the mercy OF the United
Mine Workers" and detailed how set
tlement of the present strike mad been
delayed for many weeks, although
evidences had come TO the white
House that in many localities the
workmon were anxious TO return To
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