The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-08-19
IN RAIL STRIKE
PRESENTED TO CONGRESS

Washlpetop, arg. u s(By ~ A.
sociated Press) .--PrNai6snt Harding
laid the whole story cf the ran and
coal strikes before tAa Amexicau Seo.
pie today with q pledge that what.
ever the cost, government by law viii
be sustained.
Summing up before a joint session
Of senate and house his efforts to-
ward industrial peace, the president
asserted that neither employers nor
employees could escape responsibility
FOR the present situation and that no
small minority" would be permittel
by armed lawlessness," Conspiracy"
or "barbarity and butchery" to over
ride the paramount interests of the
public.
We must reassert the doctrine
that in this respect the first obliga-
lion and the first allegiance Of every
citizen, high or low, is to his gov
crnment,' said the president. "No
matter what clouds may gather, no
matter what storms may ensue, no
matter what hardships may attend or
what sacrifices may be necessary,
government by law must and viii be
sustained.
Wherefore l am resolved to use al
the power of government to main
tain transportation and to sustain thn
ri!,hS Of men to work"
10 strength hen the hand Of the ad-
ministration in dealing with present
and future coal troubles, MIR. Harding
asked for authorization Of a national
agency to purchase, sell and distrib-
ule coal. and for creation of COM
mission to inquire into every phase
IF coal production. sale and distribu-
ton"
No similar request was made fer
emergency rail legislation, the prcsi-
Ient asserting that although the raj
road labor board had inadequate au-
i.oi sty, o.her agencies Of the govern
A.c,t were armed with statutes to
prevent conspiracy against interstate
,omr!crce and to insure safety in rail-
Wy operation.
1T is my purpose" he continued,
= % iavuke these laws, civil and crim-
nal, against all offenders alike"
One other legislative enactment, q
law 10 permit the federal governme:
TO step in and protect aliens where
81 ate protection fails, was advocated
BY The thscf executive as a result OF
y hat ne termed the "butchery Of hu-
man beings, wrought in madness" at
Henin, III. Despite the protests o.
foreign governments whose nationals
suffered in the Herrin mine battle, he
said, federal officials were powerless
@ tnhe a hand in the situation creat-
ru l., The moCkery OF local inquiry
md EG tn.lle Of justice in Illinois.
}. mter& of the senate and house
.,.l cd thu pronCuncement OF the
pres .irnt N.th repeated salvos of ap-
iiI.U.se anu the leaders of both
- an ,a# announced later that no time
you'd he lost III putting his legisla
live recommendations into etfecti
Generally. the address won approba-
h1uah some Democratic members
were inclined to criticize the chief
'Ac,i.t.ve'S utterances as capable OF
: double construction.
At ihc White House it was ndicat-
cd that Mr.. Harding's reference to
:nvc". ion of existing statutes
against conspiracy related to the
Shc.nan antitrust law, under which
ihc department of justice already has
directed an Investigation of the acts
# some members of non-striking rail
uniore who walked out in the Far
West Officials of the administration
were unwilling TO go int" cases to-
Hi-ht however. saving tn presidents
announcement Of his determination to
cniorc" the laws must speak for it
self
Throughout his address, President
Harding emphasized his desire tha;
the government should play no favor
ties as between employers and en-
ploycos, either in efforts to end the
existing strikes or in future action
against laWleSsneSs