The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1922-08-31


state commerce. There are laws to
assure the highest possible safety In
railway service. 1t is my purpose to
invoke these laws, civil and criminal,
against all offenders alike"
Though he pronounced as made
quate the law creating the railway Ia
Dor board, Mr.. Harding said mo per-
lection of it by congress at this mo-
ment could be helpful in the present
threatened paralysis of transporta-
tion."
Reasons for Legislative Action.
1.-THE almost total exhaustion Of
stocks of coal, the crippled condition
Of the railways the distressed situa-
ton that has arisen, and might grow
worse, in our great cities, due to the
shortage of anthracite; the suffering
which might arise in the Northwest
through failure to meet winter needs
by lake transportatiOn-au these, add
ed to the possibility Of outrageous
price demands, in spite Of the most
Jealous voluntary efforts Of the gov
eminent to restrain them, make it nee
essary to ask you to consider at once
some form of temporary control Of
distribution and prices.
IF it may have your approval, rec
ommend immediate provision for a
temporary national coal agency with
needed capital, to purchase, sell and
distribute coal which is carried in in
terstate shipment. do not mean that
all Interstate coal shall be handled by
such federal organization; perhaps
none will be necessary; but it will
restore it's capital to the public treas
ury and will be the fundamentally
Of guarding the public interest where
private conscience is insensible to a
public need"
Announcing his decision to invoke
all pertinent laws in the interest Of
industrial restoration, the President
used carefully chosen language to ap-
ply his structures to both employers
and employees.
"Surely," he said, 'the threatening
conditions must impress the congress
and the country that no body of men,
whether limited in numbers and re-
sponsible for railway management or
powerful in numbers and the necessary
forces in railroad operation, shall be
permitted to choose course which so
imperils public welfare. Neither Or
CARNATIONS of employers nor working
mems unions may escape RESPONSE
bility. When related to a public serv-
ice, the mere fact of organization
that responsibility and pub
lie interest transcends that of either
grouped capital or organized labor"
Refers to War on Unions.
At the same time, however, Mr..
Harding said he had "come to appraise
another element" in the present indus
trial situation which he held in some
degree responsible for strikes.
Il REFER" he said, ito the warfare
on the unions of labor. The govern
ment has no sympathy or approval for
this element of discord in the ranks Of
Industry. Any legislation in the fu-
ture must be as free from this ele-
ment of trouble-making as it is from
labor extremists who strive for class
Supporting his request for a tempo
rary national coal agency, President
warned congress that, al
though the "skies are clearing" in the
coal situation, recurrence Of difficult
ty might be expected next April, when
wage contracts now being made are to
1pyo10
vided for the fundamental ills affect
ng the industry.
Stating that the Esch- Cummins act
n establishing the railroad labor
BOARD was inadequate, being with little
'r no power to enforce it's decisions,
he President recommended action to
make the boards decisions ''enforce-
able and effective against carriers and
employees alike"
Stating that sympathetic railroad
strikes had developed and impaired
Interstate commerce seriously, the
President said that trains deserted in
he western desert "had revealed the
:ruelty and contempt for law on the
'art Of some railway employees, who
AVE consp1red to paralyze tranSpOrta-
ion."
Scores LawIess Strikers.
Asserting that the striking unions
n some instances had not held their
orces to law observances, Mr.. Hard
ng said there is q state Of lawless-
less shocking to every conception Of
american law and order" and an
his intention to invoke laws,
ivil and criminal, forbidding con-
piracies hindering Interstate COM
nerce and requiring safety In railway
ervice.
In declaring positively for the right
f men to work, the President said
hat in both the coal and railroad
trikes this right had been denied by
ssault and violence" and, in some
asses, winked at by local authorities.
lie added:
1T is fair to say that the great mass
f organized workmen do not approve,