The Washington times., 1922-07-05
HARDING TAKES
STERNER VIEW
Of COAL STRIKE
Speech at Marion indicates
His Patience is About
Exhausted.
By GEORGE r. HOLMES.
Internn tional News Service.

pOlAIy ldb ySI Shhh oStSA '6~N
the Governments attitude in the
coal strike and the rail strike may
swiftly follow the return Of Presi.
dent Harding to Washington the
latter part Of this week. it was in.
dicated today.
The Presidents pointed assertion
in his Fourth of July speech that
"a free American has the right to
labor without any others leave" and
that governments cannot tolerate
any group dictation." following so
closely upon General Pershing's
vehement condemnation OF the
nois, were taken today as indicating
that Mr.. Harding's patience with
the present chaotic industrial situa.
ton Is just about exhausted.
President Harding was not pleased
with the adjournment Of the mine
conference to await his return to
Washington. The attitude adopted
by some of the coal operators that
to negotiate new contract with the
miners brings them within the
shadow Of the Federal court IL re-
garded as an untenable one.
To Consult Daugherty.
The fact that the President him.
self called the conference and that
four cabinet officers took part in
various capacities in its deliberations.
constituted sufficient assurances tn.
President believes, that no court ac.
ton would follow the successful
termination of the strike by the old
method OF a national conference.
1t Is expected that the President
Will meet Attorney General Daugh.
erty In Columbus tomorrow, when
he starts the return trip to Wash.
ington. II Is possible that the Gov
ernment may move to quash the in
dictments now hanging over the
heads of the operators and miners
heads In orders to remove the last
vestige OF excuse the warning fac.
tions have for not getting together.
1t Is not considered likely that the
Government will make any early
move in the rail strike unless the
Railway Labor Board confesses it.
self unable to cope with the situa-
ton and throws the burden Of action
back to the executive branch Of the
Government.
Rail Board On Trial.
President Harding believes yet
I that the problem is one for the
railroad labor board; that the board,
In fact, is on trial. and that gov
ernmentaI steps should be held up,
until the board has been given
every chance to win it's own battle.
Meanwhile the President did not
allow the increasingly menacing
Industrial situation today TO inter
1ere with his final day in Marion
among home folks" Another
day OF visiting and attending
Marlons centennial celebration was
on the program today.
me Presidents part in the CEN
tennial celebration was confined to
review OF the historical and
American Legion parade, schedul.
ed In the afternoon. Hanford Mac.
Nider, commanders of the American
Legion and one OF the most con-
spicuous advocates OF a soldiers
bonus. will be on the same plat.
form with him during the review
and Will speak later. Tonight Mr.
Harding will attend . grand pag-
cant portraying the history OF
Marion. written by Miss Eleanor
Freeland. his old-time neighbor on
Mt Vernon avenue.
Mrs. j. w. Freeland, also a
neighbor. has written a csntepnial
ode.
Backs Right 10 Work.
Before 10000 home folks, packed
into the inclosure Of the county fair
grounds, President Harding yesrcr-
day found himself swayed away
fr0 80 -.
innate remembrances to discussion
Of grave problems facing the nation.
"A free American has the right TO
labor without any others leave"
the President remarked with stern
emphasis.
1T would be no less an abridge.
ment to deny men the right to har-
gain collectively. Governments can
not tolerate any class or grouped
denomination through force"
Weight was given these words by
a denunciation from General Perish
ing Of the recent massacre of miners
At Herrin. General Pershing, pre-.
ceding the President on the speak.
er's platform, characterized the
Herrin killings as ruthless murder"
and demanded "the strong arm Of
the law. under fearless officials.
take positive action
Relies on Public Opinion.
"Menaces do arise but public opin-
on will efface them" President
Harding declared. meanwhile. Gov.
Crnment must repress them The
Eighteenth Amendment denies to n
minority a fancicd sense Of personal
liberty, but the amendment is :he
will Of America and must be sus.
aimed by the Government and the
public. else contempt for the law will
undermine our very foundations
THE foremost thought in the Con.
stitution is the right to freedom and
he pursuit OF happiness. Men must
be free to live and to achieve Lib
erty is gone in America when any
man is denied the right to work and
live by that work. 1t does not mat
ter who denies"
President Harding flayed as trait
ors' those who, in times OF stress.
seek to inflame passion and distort
the truth. He said:
my one outstanding conviction
after sixteen months In the Prpsi.