The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-07-29
Hands Off Policy in
Railroad Strike Sit
uation Adhered 70
Railroad Labor
Board
washington July 25-The ad

8 stl1e<E Sd It's SiAt pscS y51AASS AaA GIL e@S
tempt to forsn separate agree
naent
Executives of some Western rail-
Ways announced that these roads
wonld not restore seniority right
50 striking ssopmen.
Western executives and the
Penasysvania system announced
that passenger and freight traffic
vas nermal, that large numbers
OF, men are being added to shop
forces and that the general situa-
ton is satisfactory.
Martial law was declared at
Denison, Texas. where infantry
companies are assembling.
Washington. July 25 (By the As
seciated Press support of the
rai1road labor board as the, only
agency created BY Law for hand1-
ing the transpertatio ton tie-up, ac-
celeration of coal production under
federal protection and control OF
fuel distribution were given by adj
usinistratien spokesmen today as
the three fundamentals Of the gov
ernment's policy toward the IN
dustriaI crisis invelVed in the coal
and railroad strikes The, statement
Of the governments position fol-
lowed the regular Tuesday meet
ing OF the cabinet which for nearly
three hours devoted It's attention
to the double threat against the
country,s economic fabricfamine
IN fuel and Disruption OF interstate
commerce.
The first step toward control OF
depleted transportation Facilities
and coal supply came shortly at
terwarisS IN q statement from the
interstate commerce commission,
declaring that an emergency exist
edin the territory east of the
Mississippi, which required the
commission TO direct the routing
Of salf essential commodities and
to hx preference and priority
status TO control movement Of food
and fuel.
The priority order was followed
by general service order" from
the commission notifying all COM
mon carriers. that an emergency
existed and for them to disregard
usual routing. practice, freight
rate divisions and traffic arrange
ments so as to obtain the most ex-
peditious movement of essential
freights.
Becoming effeetiye tomorrow the
commissions mandates give rail-
roads first priority on fuel require
ments with electric power, light,
gas. water and sewer works, ice
plants serving the public, and re-
frigeration plants engaged in
preservation of food, following il.
the order named:
Proposed appointment Of fed
eraI comnission to investigate the
coal industry received further
support today in resolution in
trcdueed in the senate by Chair
man Borah of the labor commit
tee Mr.. Borah suggested the
commission be composed of three
members appointed by the presi-
dent and that it recommend the
sdrisa biHty or necessity Of nation
alizing the industry Or Of the in
ststution of government regula-
ton.
In outlining the government po-
sition in the railroad strike ad-
rninistration spokesmen said it had
been decided that the railroad Ia
bor,s boards statutory authority
TO determine wages and working
conditions for railroads must be
recognized and upheld and that the
attempts to operate mines in spite
Of the miners union strike must
be continued until it is demon
s.rated that not enough men are
willing TO work under state and
federal protection to bring out an
adequate tonnage.
II was added that the admins
tration was struggling to deal
fairly with the entangled rights OF
all parties to the widespread in
dustrial controversies but intended
above all to uphold the majesty
ard dignity of the government OF
the United States.
Meanwhile in the fuel crisis re-
suIting from the coal strike the
powers OF the government will se
used to distribute the diminished
current production OF coal in &C.
eerdance with the demands of pub
lie welfare and to prevent the TAX
ing of extortionate profits. Pres
ident Harding was represented as
unwilling to anticipate in advance
what course might be taken should
the coal output fail to be augment,
ed TO the required tonnage. but 70,
. the present week at least. it was
stated. he would withhold crea.
ton of the suggested federal Goa
commission.
While the railroad labor boarc
would be upheld in its endeavors
to deaf with the strike, OF shoI
craftsmen. it was intimated in Off
eiaI circles that if the concession
of seniority rights. Of strikers who
have left service would result j.