Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-08-03

retary Hoover, usually his principal
adviser in industrial matters, fatty re-
fused yesterday evening to comment.
He said the situation was in the Pres
ident's hands and unwarranted deduc-
tions might be made from anything he
said.
Another member of the Cabinet
upon whom the President relies heav-
lily said his personal view was that
there would be a drifting policy for
some days That would allow time,
he said, for the railroads to demon
strate whether they could replace the
strikers and TO demonstrate whether
they could provide sufficient transpor-
tation for all the coal than can be
produced in non-union fields.
If the results show that the rail-
roads are unable to meet the needs of
the situation, the official said, other ac-
tion would be necessary, in his opinion,
to supplement the priority orders is
sued recently by the Interstate Com
merce Commission, for the quick move
ment of coal and, in secondary degree,
of other essential commodities.
1t was understood that the Cabinet
officer had in mind the Government
taking over some of the railroads that
figure Importantly in the problem of
moving non-union coal, or adding to
the equipment of those roads by draw
ing engines and cars from roads and
big systems of the Northeast that have
held their lines fairly we'll against the
strikers, and thus have their equip
ment in better shape than most OF
the roads.
The possible seizure of the roads by
the Government was widely discussed
during the day, but it is not believed
that Mr.. Harding would make that
move except as the last resort. He
looks upon that as step in the wrong
direction; influential members of his
Cabinet are fatty opposed to it, and
it would be contrary to the prevailing
sentiment Of important factors in the
Republican party.
1t is regarded as highly possible
that after all the surveys are made
of conditions and after all the views of
advisers are examined, the President
will decide definitely TO do nothing.
Precedent for such course is to be
found in his policy in the coal strike,
following the failure of his proposal
Tor arbitration. Since that time the
Administration has done nothing to
end the miners strike, although it has
taken steps to make the best use Of
current cotl supplies, and to protect
operators of union mines if they're
open.
Chicago, Aug. 3.-The United
States Railroad Labor Board yester-
day adopted resolution to begin the
hearing of wage and rule disputes
involving the maintenance-of-way
union August %.
The boards action is in line with
promise made to +. +. Cradle, head
of the maintenance-of- way organi2a-
ton. when the unions strike plans
were abandoned July 4. At this time
an agreement was reached by which
Mr.. Cradle instructed his general
chairman to take up, with the in
diyidual roads, the matter of wages.
1t was provided that if an agreement
could not be reached the matter would
be submitted to the labor board for
an early hearing.
Labor Board members pointed out
that the board made no concession in
granting a rehearing Of cases which
resulted in slashing the prices of
maintenance-of-way men, effective
July ], as any organization was pri-
vileged to ask for reconsideration on
ground that living prices had advanc-
ed since the decision was rendered.
The principal rule involved concerns
overtime.
Cases involving 43 roads have now
been submitted to the board, these
railroads waving their right to a 80
day notice before submission of the
cases. Other roads are said to have
pursued a similar policy. Mr.. Cradle
and several of his vice presidents APP
peared before the board today and
agreed to the date fixed. Most Of the
cases are on joint submission, the
questions involved being identical.