Evening journal., 1922-08-12
HARDING TO BE
STRIKE DICTATOR
Congress TO Confer on Bill
to Grant Blanket Au-
thority in Crisis
MIGHT TAKE OVER
THE COAL MINES
WASHINGTON. D. C., Aug. IA

Senate leaders after conferring witt
those House members who have al
ready arrived In Washington consid'
cred yesterday the granting OF
blanket authority TO President Hard
ing TO deal with the strike situation
as necessity may require.
Such general authority. II is ex-
planned. would give the President the
power to take over the railroads II
he sees At, or any part OF them, any
! number OF coal mines necessary TO
prevent a fuel famine. and to use
the full power of the Government to
see that its mandates are obeyed
The determination of Congress to
dealy firmly with the strike. il it is
not quickly settled. was supported by
the reports of House members ar
irving early for the session which
will begin on Tuesday. These mem
bers bring back word that the public
is fully cognizant of the danger
which will result from a prolonga-
tion of the railroad and coal strikes,
and is ready to support the Presi-
dent in any course he may take.
The public. these members say. is
losing patience with any disposition
10 temporize with the acute phase
Of the situation now presented. Vir-
tually all OF the States report coal
running short. They are threatened
with Industrial paralysis and all of
the evidences OF returning prosper
ity promise TO be wiped out by the
continuation Of the coal strike, ag-
gravated by the threatened spread OF
the railroad strike. Among those
who brought this report TO Wash
ington were Representatives Roden-
burg (Illinols). Hull Qowa) and
Taylor (Tennessee.).
These members say the public
realizes that not only is the country
facing an industrial slump on ac-
count OF the strikes. but actual dis
tress and possible loss of life next
winter.
The House members who are here
say they have sensed the reaction OF
Congress to this crisis and that 1t is
favorable to drastic action. They in
innate the approaching elections
will be no bar TO the determination
of the House to take action. The
threat OF political retaliation by the
unions will not be a bar, according
to the early reported opinion. Meth
er the unions nor the employers. II
is claimed. should prevail against
the right Of the public as a whole to
be supplied with necessities.
The report Is brought to Wash
ington that there is a growing feel
lng OF appreciation of the task which
confronts President Harding. The
fact that in dealing with the prob
lem the President has kept the In
terest OF the general public to the
fore. as compared with the small
minority OF workers and employers
actually interested. has met with
general approval
Representative MondelI (wyo.), |
floor leader. has wired |
he will be in Washington Monday.
and Speaker Gillett will arrive Sun !
day. Despite failure of Republicans |
to notify the members to be on hand /
fail, It is expected there will |
be a quorum present on the OPEN
Ing day and that one will be main
tanned so that any necessary ac-
ion may be takon.
The tendency toward granting
blanket authority after the manner
OF authority granted Presidents in
war time. was under consideration
mainly among Senate leaders. House
leaders expressed lack of knowledge
as to what the President may want.
but Republicans are inclined to fol-
ow the Senate leadership. which Is
expected to represent the Admins
ration view.
Lawyers in the Senate are inclined
% brush aside the assertion that
Congress will not have the authority
o seize the roads and mines in time
" peace in the face of the constitu-
ional inhibition against the conhs-
'ation OF private property.
The right of the nation to live"
me leading Republican Senator
aid "is above any law, written or
lnwritten. The country Is confront
ID with a crisis. Our people may ]
reeze this winter and II the railroad ]
trike should spread. the public may {
tarve. I am convinced that under (
hese circumstances the Supreme q
>ourt would interpret the Presi- a
ent's action. II he should seize the
Dads and the mines. according to !
he rule of reason. holding that the I
ountry has a right above every !
hing else to protect itself and to s
I've" {
Senate and House leaders were
till hopeful that the strike will be
ettled before many days are passed
Z not. they have been given reason {
o believe the President will appear I
,efore Congress some time next {
week and ask for authority to deal {
With the emergency. In addition to
he authority which would give the ,
President the right TO seize the {
'oads and the mines both Senators
Ind House members are seriously ,
putting teeth into the
arbitration feature OF the Esch- I
Cummins law making II a criminal
ct for groups to conspire to stop ,
,ither the operation of the mines or
If the railroads
If the situation goes so far as to !,
lemand Congressional action there =
probably will be an amendment to q
he army appropriation act enabling =
he President to enlarge the army I
order 20 preserve order.
Representative Rodenberg. of Illi- {
lois, said that while he is loathe TO e
upport a movement TO take over S
he railroads and mines, he would c
upport some such legislation IL c
ecessary. Similar views were ex-