Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-08-11
Railroad Peace Or War Extension of Strike to Brother
hoods And Federal Operation of Roads Are
Topics Being Discussed
SIXTEEN LABOR ORGANIZATIONS MEET
President Preparing Comprehensive Program to Present
To House When It RecOnvenes Probably Next Tues
day-Sentimen Is For Drastic Legislation

ably Will be determined by the action
of the railroad executives.
Harding and his cabinet. realizing
the gravity of the situation, discus
sed plans for combating spread of
the strike, with the house practically
ordered to reconvene next Tuesday,
President Harding wants to be fully
prepared to 90 before congress with
a comprehensive program for reliev-
ing the situation. He is expected to
ask for additional legislation to en-
able him to take over some, or all
the railroads, and already a bill Of
this character giving the executive
virtually blanket powers to meet any
emergency has been drawn up by
Senator Cummins, chairman of the
Senate Interstate Commerce Commit
tee.
Members of the house and senate,
under pressure from their constitu-
ents who are feeling the pinch Of
the two strikes, are ready to go to
unusual legislative lengths in deal
ing with the situation, if other efforts
to bring the strikers and employers
to a reasonable frame of mind fail.
A careful canvass of House and
Senate members indicates that there
is more sentiment today for drastic
legislation. even anti-strike legisla-
ton, than has existed in congress for
a long time. The longer the strikes
continue, the worse popular indigna-
tion will become, members Of con-
gress pointed out, and the demand
for action. by congress will increase.
In a congressional election year, the
response to popular demand of this
sort is likely to be reasonably prompt,
experienced Legislators said. Hence,
congress is waiting almost impaIi-
emily for President Harding to out
line some legislative method of meet
ing the situation. 1t is safe to pre-
dict. Leaders said, that once Presi-
dent Harding asks congress to act,
the legislative machinery will be set
in motion almost Immediately.
New York, Aug. 11.-Railroad ex-
ecutives, believed hopelessly divid-
ed on the plan of President Harding
to refer the seniority rights Of the
striking shopmen to the U. S. Rail-
road Labor Board, met here today to
agree on a reply to the President.
l.. +. Loree, president of the Della
ware and Hudson road led the "bit-
ter-end" contingent Of executives who
went into the conference bent on
turning down the administrations
latest project for ending the rail
strike
Other executives, it was believed
were in favor Of drawing up count
er-proposal. Many western executives
subscribed to this plan.
Chicago, Aug. 1.-The most seri-
Gus crisis Of the rail strike loomed
today as walkouts Of big four" bro
therhoods spread.
Men at danger points, where train
crews were alleged to be operating
at peril of their lives, had permls-
sion to strike.
Many trains are already tied up.
The curtailmcnt Of train service
threatened to increase.
Santa Fe Officials here declared an
effort could be made today to move
trains tied up at Seligman, Arizona,
by the waikout Of the brotherhoods
there.
Santa Fe trains were also standing
in the yards at Barstow and Needles,
California.
Brotherhoods have refused to oper-
ate the trains until all guards have
been withdrawn from railroad prop
erty.
Railroad officials here stated that
the walkout at Needles threatened the
transcontinental service Of the Santa
Fc. Needles is one Of the most import
ant division points on the road.
Evansville, Ind, Aug. 11.-Declar-
ing their lives were endangered en-
gineers ard firemen on the St. Louis
and Henderson divisions of the
Louisville and Nashville railroad
early today refused to take their
runs.
Union labor men said the action of
the firemen and engineers was not
concerted, but the result Of individual
decisions.