The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-28
NO NEW LAW NEEDED.

1t is announced from washington
that President Harding has no inten-
ton OF intervening in the railroad
strike at this time. That the govern
ment has ample power to force the
operation of the railroads, should occa-
sion come, there is no room for doubt.
The authority granted to the inter-
state commerce commission is broad
enough to cove any emergency that
is likely to arise. In brief, it is as fol-
lows:
''Wheneyer the commission IS CT
opinion that shortage of equipment,
congestion of traffic, or other emer-
gency requiring immediate action ex-
lists in any section of the country, the
commission shall have, and it is here
by given, authority to suspend the
operation of any or all rules with re-
spect to car service; to make such
just and reasonable directions with re-
spect to car servi-s without regard to
the ownership as between carriers of
locomotives, cars and other vehicles,
during such emergency as in its opin-
ion will best promote the service in
the interest of the public and the COM
merce of the people; to require such
joint or common use of terminals; and
to give directions for preference or
priority in transportation, embargoes,
or movement of traffic" Further
more. when any carrier is for any
reason" unable to transport the traf-
fic offered it, the commission may
take charge and give directions for
handling the traffic so as best to serve
the public.
1t is evident that it requires no spe-
cial act of congress to enable the gov
eminent to exercise as complete a
control over the transportation sys-
tenn as it did during the war. Not
| only is the handling of trains entirely
within the Jurisdiction of the inter
state commerce commission, but the
assignment of cars and the routing of
traffic practically puts in the hands of
the commission the power to limit
prices and conserve the supply of ar
tfcles Of production.
The strike leaders have insisted
| that the labor board was not the gov
| eminent, that its decisions carried no
mandate for their enforcement, and
that to strike against their enforce
ment was in no sense a strike against
the government. But even Mr.. Jewell
must admit that any attempt to hin
der train movements If the roads are
under the control of the Interstate
commerce commission would be ac-
tive opposition to federal authority.
The fact is that every agency that is
now contributing to a tieup of traffic
is face to face with the memorable
power of the national government
that is going to see that the people
have the transportation so necessary
to their we'll being.
But there seems to be little proba-
! bility that the government will be
called upon to take charge OF the rail-
roads unless other unions shall go out
The shipments strike has collapsed.
Failing to gain restoration of senior
ity rights they found no other course
open but to break off negotiations.
There was no other issue pending.
The strikers can return to work
without an agreement as well as with
one. There is employment awaiting
them. The roads need them and will
be glad to get them back. When the
shopmen return to work it will be in
dividually and not collectively as mat
tiers now stand, and their status will
be the same as before they went out
with the exception of seniority.