South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-25
CAPITAL THINKS
HARDING PLANS
EARLY ACTION
President Is in Close Personal
Touch with Every Move
Being Made.
AVERT FURTHER STRIKES
Walkout of 10000 Station
Agents Averted Pending
Conference on Matter.

WASHINGTON. July 24-CBy a
PD-whiie on the surface. concrets
developments in the railway strike
were lacking in washington Monday.
the impression gained in Official cir
cies was that the situation was be-
ing rapidly shaken down" 10 a point
where a new move. by the admin
stration could be expected.
Cabinet members who discussed
the situation, invariably declared
that Press Harding was in personal
charge Of the question and. though
there was more than the belief that
the cabinet would be called upon rc
consider IL al the regular SESSION 20
morrow. no hint was forthcoming as
10 the manner in which the trans
portation crisis would be aid before
the presidents official family.
Further evidence was obtained.
however that some OF the chief ex-
ecutive's advisers have urged that
the government can permit the
breakdown Of the country's arteries
Of commerce TO so no further. while
waiting for the railway mana gemcnts
and shOpmen TO dispose Of their diff
ferences.
Official reports have been received.
IL is known, giving details or the ex-
tent which the strike has been re-
sponsible for the almost total .blan-
keting" Of the healthy business re-
vival in the United States. and while.
instances of direct interference with
the United States mails have recently
been conspicuously absent postal in
spectors Monday recorded further
annulment of important mail trains
Seniority" Big Question.
Some administration advisers who
favor A drastic move by the govern
ment are known 10 hold the view
that Pres't Harding's demand that
the railways make every effort 20 re-
store interstate commerce. especially
to the extent OF abandoning their
stand on the seniority issue-said 70
be the crux OF the whole question
whereupon the disputants would be
expected 10 come. together on the
matter OF fair living wage for rail
way employees conceded 10 be the
remaining important issue
If the railway executives refuse,
IL was declared. the president IL sat
isfied he has full authority and a
duty delegated him by the constitu-
ton 10 maintain interstate commerce
and the mails service could proceed
70 operate the railways While the
Leach-Cummins act would be IN
voked for the purpose as far as that
would apply. Il was said the pres
icent's main reliance would be the
duty entrusted" 70 the chief exec
utive under the constitution.
President Holds Authority.
The president. it was said. has
been assured by advisers that his
authority for decisive action. with
out recourse to congress is without
question Two courses would he
open 20 him in order especially 70
operate the roads. IL was said. First.
he could request the strikers 70 re.
turn 20 work under the government
operation az the old wage scale ana
with seniority rights restored II
this failed then federal troops
could be called upon 10 insure op-
Grafton OF the trains
The first course. the president -
understood 20 believe. would be ao-
ceptable 10 strikers who would see
In II the capitulation of the railway
executive, and a victory FOR labor
The chief contention Of the strikers.
IL was said. had developed in q tight
for seniority with the wage dispute
becoming subordinate
There is little development In gov
eminent circles 70 consider over
coming the emergency by actually
putting the lines under government
operation. Powers given the inteF-
state commerce commission IN the
transportation act was cited as max
ing this step unnecessary Under
the act the government might sus-
pend all rules and regulations gov
erning car service. interchange OF
facilities as between roads and ere
ate such q system az would be neo-
essary 70 enforce its ruling The
sweeping grant Of authority would