Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-08-10
President to Confer With
Republican Leaders
Later This Week
TWO ALTERNATIVES
Anti-Strike Legislation Will
Be Opposed-NO Time
For Hostile Mea-
SureS
tBy United Press.)

washington, AuSs io' SoANSHS
Harding will confer with Republican
Congressional leaders later in the
week to determine just what Con-
gress, after all its members return
next Tuesday, can to aid in meeting
the critical strike situation
At present it appears that Con-
gress can aid in only two ways:
Conduct an investigation into
the strikes that will place the issues
of the controversies squarely before
the public and bring public opinion
to bear to force a settlement.
2-Provide legislation incident to
measure of the railroads or mines.
The opinion is freely expressed at
the capital that it would not bring an
end to the controversies to pass anti
strike legislation at this time or to
put teeth in the Railroad Transpor-
tation Act through penalties for re-
fusals to obey the decisions Of the
Railroad Labor Board.
Anti-strike legislation could not be
passed without bitter and long fight
in both houses. Measures to strength
en- the Transportation Act would be of
little value, some members hold, be-
cause legal proceedings could block
for months the putting into effect
of any decision that either party to
the dispute did not approve.
Thus, in either event a prompt ter
mination of the disputes with nor
NAL resumption of mining and trans
portation could not be promptly ef-
fected.
A warning also has come from
some Democratic quarters that anti
strike legislation will be opposed and
that this is no time to pass per-
manent Legislation OF an INDUSTRIAL
character because of the hostile and
tense feeling manifested by both
capital and labor.
Democratic Leader Garrett has sent
word to all House Democrats to be
back on the job next Tuesday to aid
in meeting the situation.
Meanwhile, leaders of the striking
shopmen are expected to meet here
today to consider President Harding's
proposal for settlement of the rail
strike, but are not expected to give
their answer for a few days.
Of much more significance is the
meeting here tomorrow OF represen-
tatives of all the railroad workers IN
the country to consider their common
interest in the situation.
The probability of the rail strike
spreading to the Big -Four Brother
hoods and other workers is standing
out prominently as orders are going
ont from brotherhoods leaders direct
ing members of the unions to refuse
to work when they believe their hives
are endangered by defective equip
ment. or armed railroad guards.
An increase in the transportation
difficulties is almost certain to come
within the next few days, according
to some information to government
officials, which this information char
charges that the labor leaders are
pledged to increase the scope Of the
strike to prove their contentious that
the roads cannot operate without the
services of the 100000 striking chop
men.
Ben w. Hooper, chairman Of the
Railroad Labor Board, arrived here
this morning, and it was understood
that he was summoned to place COM
plete information on the rail strike
situation before Congress, upon the
reconvening of the House next week,
as part of President Harding's pro-
gram for legislative action in the pre-
sent crisis. The labor board chair
man declined to make any statement
upon his arrival.
Chicago, Aug 10.-Illinois mine
operators continued separate peace
parleys here today in an effort to end
the coal strike in this state.
Indications were that no definite
steps would be taken until after the
Cleveland conference had an oppor-
tunity TO function.
Politics entered the coal situation
when Governor Small left for SpNng-
field without naming the committee to
raticn coal for the hicago district.
The governor took no action of any
kind toward reopening Of the mines.
Despite denials issued by operators
that activity around the mines pointed
to reopening Of the shafts, reports OF
a peace agreement persisted
Mine superintendents have been
ordered to report for duty and mules
are being brought in from the pas
lures.
Reports were received here that the
state hospital for the insane at Kan
kakee and the soldiers and sailors
home at Quincy are entirely out OF
coal.
London, Aug 10.-Reginald Dunn
and Joseph O'Sullivan, assassins Of
Sir Henry Wilson. were executed at
8 o'clock this morning.
An eleventh hour effort to save the
lives of the two failed when the attor-
nov General refused to grant their ap-
peal TO the house of lords. Names OF
prominent -ersons were included in
the petition for the appeal, which bore
thirty thousand signatures.