The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-08-23
HARDING
TALKS TO
CONGRESS
President Declare S
That Federal Gov
elnment is Deternn-
med to Uphold Law
at All Costs

med to Uphold Law
at All Costs
Washington, Aug. 1s (By the AS
asociated Press}.-President Hard
ing laid the whole story of the rail
and coal strikes before the Ameri-
can people today with pledge
that whatever the cost. government
by law will be sustained.
Summing up before a joint ses-
sion of senate and house his efforts
toward industrial peace. the pres
ident asserted that neither employ
5ers nor employees could escape re-
sponsibility, for the present situa-
ton and that no small minority"
would be permitted by armed law
lessness. conspiracy" or s'barbar-
ity and butchery' to override the
paramount interests of the public.
Eve must reassert the doctrine
that in this respect the first obi
cation and the first allegiance OF
every citizen. high or low. is to his
government. said the president.
No matter what clouds may gath
er, no matter what storms may en-
sue, no matter what hardships
may attend or what sacrifices may
be necessary, government by law
must an6 will be sustained
~ therefore, am resolved 60
use all the power of, the govern
nent to maintain transportation
and to sustain the right of men TO
work. .
To strengthen the hand of the
administration in dealing with
present and future coal troubles.
Mr.. Harding asked for authorize
ton OF national agency to pur-
chase, sell and distribute coal, and
for creation of a commission to in
Squire into every phase of coat
production. sale and distribution.
No similar request was made for
for emergency rail legislation. the
president asserting that although
the railroad labor board had in
adequate authority. other agencies
of the, government were armed
with statutes to prevent consp;r-
acy against interstate commerce
and to insure safety in railway op-
Grafton.
..It is my purpose he eontin-
ued. ito invoke these laws. civil
and criminal, against all offend ars
alike.
tone other legislative enactment.
a law to permit the federal gov
ernment to step in and protect
aliens where state protection fails.
was advocated by the chief exesu-
tive as a result OF what he terEe
the -butchery Of human beings.
wrought in madness" at Herrin, III.
Despite the protests Of foreign
governments whose nationals suf-
fered in the Herrin mine battle, he
said. federal officials were power
less to take in hand the situation
created by .sthe mockery Of local
inquiry and the failure Of justice
in Illinois.
Members oe the senate and house
received the pronouncement OF the
president with repeated salvos Of
applause and the. leaders Of beth
branches announced later that no
time would be lost in putting his
legislative recommendation into
effect. Generally the address Won
appreciation from all elements n
congress, although some Demo-
cratic members were inclined TO
criticize the chief executives ut
terances as capable of double
construction.
At the White House. it was indi-
Gated that Mr.. Harding's reference
to invocation of existing statutes
agains, conspiracy related to The
Sherman antitrust law. under
which the department of justice
already has directed an invest!gl-
ton Of the acts Of some membs."s
OF non-striiing rail unions who
walked out in The Far West. OFF,
Gals of the administration were rn-
willing to go into cases tonight.
however. saying the presidents an
nouncement of his determination to
enforce the laws must speak for
itself
Throughout his address, Pre- 81
dent Harding emphasized his desire
that theg overnment should play
no fayorites as between EMPLOYERS
and employees. either in efforts to
end the existing strikes or in future
action against lawlessness.
Surely" he sid, "the threaten
ing conditions must impress the
congress and the country that no
body of men. whether limited in
numbers and responsible for rail
way management or powerful in
numbers and the necessary forces
in railway operation. shall be per-
mitted to choose a course which SO
imperils public welfare. Neither
organizations of employer or work
ing mems unions may escape re-
sponsibility.
..If free men can not toll accord
ing TO their own lawful choosing.
all our constitutional guarantees