Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-08-18
PRESIDENT GOES
BEFORE CONGRESS
THIS AFTERNOON
Washington, Aug. lS.-President Harding
in address to congress today recommended
specific legislation designed to cure the nations

lSAai VI lilC IlSill VI CHI
ployers and employees to
establish their methods of conduct.
ing business and to chose their en-
pIoyment and to determine their re-
lations with each other must be
recognized
The chief executive deplored what
he termed warfare on the unions
of labor" and declared that he was
resolved to use all the power of the
government to maintain transporta-
tion and sustain the right of men to
work.
Government, "by law must and will
he sustained" the president said, mo
matter what clouds may gather, no
matter what storms may ensue, no
matter what hardships may attend or
what sacrifice may be necessary"
The president declared national in
Ivestigation for constructive recon-
mendatiOns as to the conducts of the
coal industry to be imperative and rec.
commended a government commission
to advise as to fair wages and condi-
tions.
Recommends Coal Commission.
Immediate legislation to establish
temporarily a national coal agency
with necessary capital to purchase,
sell and distribute coal which Is car
lried in interstate shipment, also was
Iarged by Mr.. Harding.
/ In discussing the coal situation the
lpresident referred to what he termed
! the shocking crime at Herrin, ~,
which so recently ashamed and horri-
fled the country, and added the incl
dent was "butchery Of human beings
wrought in madness"
Other than the amendment to the
Esch-Cummins law to make the rail-
road boards decision enforceable the
president did not recommend any leg
iSlation to deal Immediately with the
railroad strike.
Stating that the Esch- Cummins act
in establishing the railway labor board
was inadequate the board having little
power to enforce its decisions, the
president recommended action to make
the decisions enforceable and effec-
tive against employees and employers
alike.
Demand Fuel Legislation.
In asking for coal legislation the
president said the administration had
sought to RESTRAIN profteering and
to secure the rightful distribution of
coal but was without legal power to
control prices" Stating that sympa-
thetic railroad strikes had developed
and impaired interstate commerce
Cpript1Clyv tho cold but
road trains deserted by their crews in
the western desert had revealed the
cruelty and contempt for law on the
part of some employees who had con-
spired to paralyze transportation"
Right of Men to Work.
In declaring positively for the right
of men to work the president said that
in both the railroad and mine strikes
this right had been denied by assault
and violence and in some cases wink.
ed at by local authorities. He added:
ut is fair to say that the great mass
of organized workmen do not approve
but they seem helpless TO hinder
These conditions cannot remain in
free America"
Asserting that the strikers, in some
instances had not held their forces
w ldW UuStINdltb MI. ffdTuiHg Sdlu
there Is a state of lawlessneSs shock
ing to every conception of American
law and order" and announced his in
tentions to invoke laws, civil and
criminal forbidding conspiracies him
dering interstate commerce and re-
quiring safety in railroad service.
Surely the threatening conditions
must impress the congress and the
country" the president went on, that
mo body of men whether limited in
number and responsible for railway
management or powerful in numbers
and the necessary forces in railroad
operation shall be permitted to choose
a course which imperils public well
fare"
The president concluded his address
at 1:Of o'clock after speaking forty
minutes.
Would Protect Aliens.
Other legislative recommendations
were tor better protection of aliens
and enforcement of their treaty
rights and a measure to give fedora.
courts jurisd 'ction in protecting
aliens.
In his sharply worded discussion of
| the Hcrrin massacre, the President dc.
clared he felt "a pitiable sense of fed
| eral impotence" but could not inter-
| pose legally to mend the mockery of
local inquiry and the failure of JUS
| tice" which had resulted from the ef,
| forts Of Illinois state officials.
"a law giving the national govern
/ ment authority to protect aliens" he
said, would relieve some of the EN-.
! barrassment felt here because of the
protests of foreign governments that