Evening journal., 1922-07-21
TROOPS GUARD.
RAILROADS IN.
SOMESTATES.
Strike Situation Takes Seri-
Gus Turn as Sabotage
Is Reported
GOVERNMENT
MAY IMPORT COAL
Continued from First Page.)

through conferences with the eXecu'
tives and the employees. The first
OF these conferences was held here
last night when Senators Cummins
kellogg and Watson. Indiana, met
leading rail executives.
The Congressional moves will be
undertaken with the fun approval
of the administration officials who
have been working for weeks with
out success to bring about a termin-
alton OF the strikes.
The cabinet at its meeting. today
planned 10 devote its entire, attention
to the crisis caused by the two
strikes.
The rail strike was to be the
principal topic OF discussions
before the cabinet. The views
OF the rail executives who met
here last night having been placed
before Harding early by Senators
Cummins. Watson and Kellogg who
met the rail heads.
Senator Watson. Indiana, after his
call at the White House. declared
other conferences between Con-
gressional committees and rail
executives OF the nation probably
would be held shortly. a serious
shortage Of coal in New England in
dustr!ai centers unless mine opera
tions are resumed Immediately SEN
ator Lodge Of Mass, said, today was
certain.
Priority orders on coal shipments
90 as to prevent any extensive cur
taiiment Of rail service has been
decided upon. a decision will be
reached soon as 10 whether the
shipping boards idle vessels are to
be used TO import coal on large
scale.
Senator Borah feels that the ad-
ministration is at sea In the fuel
crisis and he is determined TO bring
the strike to an end through Con-
gressional action.
Borah is expected to introduce a
measure in the Senate calling for
the creation OF an industrial COM
mission to regulate the coal in
dustry
Neither operators nor miners favor
a Federal board with arbitrary pow
ers to fix wages and working condi-
tions and Borah's demand on Con-
rress for such a board may hasten
a conference between the two fac
tions TO settle the strike.
Borah also desires an investiga-
tion to show the public who Is to
blame for the serious coal shortage
confronting the country This Is re-
sarded as another lever in the gem
eral plan to force settlement.
Congressional leaders realize that
the present strikes can be ended by
legislation but they hope by confer
ences with warning factions to hnd
out why a settlement has not oeen
reached and then by informing the
country Of the real coalitions bring
ing into the play the force OF pun I
lie opinion. When the conferences
are terminated Congress would then
ne in position to take measures TOT
permanent Industrial peace.
The Senate Interstate Commerce
r,or,bers obtained from The East
ern rail executives last night an out
line OF their position. The execu-
t,ves are understood to be stand
ing part against restoring seniority
rights TO the strikers, and this Is
the main obstacle to an agreement
that will end the shopmen's walk
out.
The executives attending the con-
ference we're T. Dewitt Cuyler, OF
the Association Of R@ilway Execu-
tives: L. r. Loree, Of the Delaware
and Hudson; w. w Atterbury' OF
the Pennsylvania; f. J. Pearson OF
the New Haven. and Frank II. al
fred. Of the Pere Marquette.
Conferences with the shopmen's
leaders may be held within Few
days.
In the meantime. President Har-
ding let It be known that he is only
waiting to see what progress the
non-union bituminous operators are
Taking toward stimulating produc-
tion before taking his next step. IL
Is understood that he will give them
two weeks to show results. II their I
results are barren Harding may
seize the mines and operate them
under Government control.
In reply to telegram from Gov I
ernor Sproul, Pennsylvania, urging
the selection OF a coal commission, :
Harding stated such a commission :
would be selected in due time" v
This Is the commission urged by b
Harding to arbitrate the differences T
between the two factions and to I
make an inquiry into coal conditions }
that would lead to permanent peace.
Administration officials obviously
are worried over the fuel shortage. \
The situation Is becoming more acute
daily attorney general Daugherty
and Secretary of Commerce Hoover
declare. Daugherty b elieves a
shortage cannot now be avoided
even il the strikers resume capac- /
ity operations Immediately. r
Hoovcc announced he had discuss s
ed coal radonlng with the Interstate u
Coinmc-ce Commission. Tentative b
plans for giving railroadg and other 4
public utilities first cali on coal zap
plies have been worked OUT he en!d. Z,
Railroads still have from one week E
TO three months supply on hand. Il
Hoover said. Z
ST. PAUL. Mimi. July 21. (Un,.- q
sd Press RAILROAD executives of
he Northwest today took steps to i
their own workers in d. 81
icncc of International unions.
''We are goins TO have our own ST
riga nizatlons Of employees which es