, 1922-08-18

ployment and to determine their rola-
tons with each other must be recog.
nized.
Government by law must and will
ba maintained" the president said. no
matter what clouds may gather. no
matter what storms may ensue. no
matter what hardships may attend.
or what sacrifice may be necessary"
Stating that .yrathetie railroad
strikes had developed INT impaired
Interstate commerce seriously the
president said that trains deserted in
the western desert had revealed the
cruelty md contempt for law on the
part OF some railway employees who
have eonspired TO paralyze transpor-
tation."
Asserting that the striking uniors
IN some instances had not held their
forces to law observance. Mr.. Hard
ing said there Is a state Of lawless-.
ness shocking to every conception Of
American law and order" and an
nounced his intention 20 invoke laws.
civil and criminal. forbldding conspir-
acies ~hindering interstate commerce
ard requiring safety in railway serV-
Ice.
In declaring positively for the right
OF men 10 work the president said that
In both the coal and railroad strikes
his right had been denied by assault
and violence and in some cases
winked at by local authorities He
added;
ut Is fair to say that he great.
mass OF organized workmen do not ap-
prove but they seem helpless to hind
err. These conditions cannot remain
in free America"
Surely tho threatening conditions
must Impress the congress and the
country the president went 1T, that
no body OF men, whether limited In
number and responsible for railway
management. or powerful in numbers
and constituting the necessary forces
In railroad operation. shall be per
mitted to choose "A course which so
imperiis public welfare"
President Harding declared that the
right OF employees and employers alike
to conduct their business must be rec
ognized and he also depiored what he
termed warfare on the unions Of la
bor."
The president declared a national in
v~estigation for constructive econ
mendations as to the conduct OF the
coal industry to be imperative and
recommended a government commits
sion to advise as to fair wages and
conditions.
Immediate legislation to establish
temporarily a national coal agency"
with necessary capital to purchase,
sell and distribute coal also was urged
by the executive.
Stating that the Esch- Cummins act
in establishing the railroad labor
board wns inadequate. being with lit
tie or no power to enforce its decisions.
the president recommended action t.
make the boards decisions enforce
able and effective against carriers ano
employees alike"
Other legislative recommendation
were for better protection Of aliens
and enforcement OF their treaty rights"
through a measure to give federal
courts Jurisdiction in protecting aliens.
In discussing the coal situation, the
president referred to what he termed
the Shocking crime at Herrin, Ill.
which so recently shamed and horri-
ileo inc country anu aooeo inc IN
cident was 'butchery of human beings
wrought in madness"
Other than the amendment to the
Esch-Cummins law TO make the rail.
road boards decisions enforceable,
the president did not recommend any
legislation to deel Immediately with
the railroad strike.
In asking for coal legislation the
president said that the administration
had sought earnestly ito restrain prof
iteering and to secure the rightful
distribution OF coal but was without
legal power TO control prices.
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