Middletown transcript., 1922-08-26
FRIGHT TO WORK
| TO Be UPHELD
President Says Transportation
Must Be Maintained
TELLS PLANS TO CONGRESS
Congress To Act-Leaders Announce
Recommendations VIII Be
Put In Effect
Promptly.

Washington. - President Harding
laid the whole story of the rail and
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.
I'VE 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.
flee 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 a national
agency to purchase, sell and distribute
COAL and for creation of a commission
to 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.
1t is my purpose, he continued, ito
invoke these laws, civil and criminal,
against all offenders alike"
One other legislative enactment, a
law to permit the Federal Government
to step in and protect aliens where
I State protection fails, was advocated
| by the Chief Executive as a result of
2 what he termed the "butchery of. hu.
+, man beings, wrought in madness at
3 Herrin, Ill. Despite the protests of
D foreign Governments whose nationals
. suffered in the Herrin mine battle, he
t said Federal officials were powerless
8 to take in hand the situation created
e by "the mockery of local inquiry and
, the failure of justice in Illinois,
I Throughout his address President
n Harding emphasized his desire that
r the Government should play no favor.
E 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
a whether limited in numbers and re
+ sponsible for railway management ol
|. powerful in numbers and the neces
q sary forces in railway operation, shall
|. be permitted to choose a course which
v so imperils public welfare. Neither
9 organizations of employers nor work
n ingmen's union may escape responsi
r bility.
"If free men cannot toll according
e to their own lawful choosing all oul
e. constitutional guarantees born O
s. democracy are surrendered to mob
ocracy and the freedom of hundred
millions is surrendered to the small
minority which would have no law.
At the same time the Presiden
d called attention to another elemen
which he said he believed was respor
l sib!e to some degree for strikes an
e for the difficulties of restoring indus
e trial peace.
ID 81 refer" said he, ito the warfar
.e on the unions of labor. The Govern
E. ment has no sympathy or approve
for this element of discord in tn
ranks of industry. We recognize thes
{. organizations in the law, and we mus
accredit them with incalculable col
~ tribution to labor's uplift."
Discussing the coal strike specii
IN cally, Mr.. Harding warned Congress
n. that, although the skies now appeare
as to be clearing, more trouble can b
It expected when wage contracts are r
at newed next April unless the Exec
n tive is provided with adequate al
thority He declared that except fc
coal from non-union districts 18th
country is at the mercy Of the Unite
Mine Workers." and detailed how sc
of tlement of the present strike had bee
N. delayed for many weeks. althoue
,r. evidences had come to the Whit
he House that in many localities tt
re workmen were anxious to return
fhoir iohs !"