The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-16
STRIKE SITUATION ON MANY CARRIERS
 BECOMES SERIOUS
Motive Power Progressively Deteriorating, Chairman :. McChord Tells Harding.
 Must Enforce Laws
By Associated rresr

Washington, August 15.-Motive power upon "certain of the important carriers of the country" because of the present strike, is progressively deteriorating, Chairman McChord of the interstate commerce commits sion informed President Harding to- night, and in letter of reply was told by the President "to insist upon the full enforcement of the law"
 Inspection forces of the govern
 ment should exert themselves to
 the utmost, the President said,
 because it Is better to have ser
 vice diminish rather than attempt
 safety is not assured.
 The commissioner informed the
 President that fin enforcing the
 safety provisions of the federal
 law "we are taking steps and will
 be compelled to continue to pro-
 ceed in manner which must
 bring about serious withdrawals
 of motive power from service"
 The President responded that the growing menace to maintain trans portation' had been called to his at tention and nothing could be done ex- cept to insist upon the full enforce ment of the law" The correspond ence, as given out by Chairman Me Chord, follows:
 Dear MT President:
 ''In the administration and enforce ment of the locomotive inspection and related safety appliances. acts of Con- gross, the commission has observed with .concern the progressive deteri- oration of motive power upon certain of the important carriers of the coun- try since July l, 1922, and during the present strike. The effect of de- ferred repairs during the present strike becomes increasingly felt as time goes on.
 Leave Little Discretion
 "The acts which we are called upon to administer leave little discretion with the commission as to enforce ment when violations come to light. In the continuance of our enforce ment of the law we are taking steps land will be compelled to-continue tc proceed in manner which must bring about serious withdrawals of motive power from service Certain viola tions of tho acts we report to the at torney general for appropriate legal action. With a continuance of exist ing conditions these will be increas- ingly frequent.
 "Knowing your interest in the mat ter, we felt you should be advised of the facts. Faithfully yours "C. c. MCHORD, Chairman" Harding's Reply
 My dear Chairman McChord: T have yours of even date In which you call to my attention the progressive deterioration of motive l power on some of the important rail road lines of the country as out growth of the prevailing strike. This growing menace to maintained trans portation has been called to my at- tention unofficially In various ways Under all the circumstances, I know of nothing to be done except to in- sist upon the full enforcement of the law. It Is very natural thing un- der circumstances which exist at .ht present time. to waive the exactiors in behalf of safety in seeking tc maintain transportation. In my judg- ment it is better to have the service diminished rather than attempt the movement of trains on which safety is not assured so far as compliance with the law may provide 1t. trust that your inspection forces will exert themselves to the utmost in order to be able to pass upon safe equipment because the official sanction of the government will remove all qutstions of dispute. Very truly yours. WARREN G. HARDING"