The Ocala evening star., 1922-07-27
PRESIDENT VERSUS
]. CLtAvE DEAN
Letter by Mr.. Harding that Every
Loyal American Will Fully
Endorse

ity for further interference with
transportation and with production OF
vitally needed coal was placed upon
striking railroad employees and miners
yesterday by President Harding in
again suggesting that a return to
work under conditions already sug-
gested by him while the reasonable
ness of their demands was being
threshed out by the agencies set up
for that purpose.
Replying to telegram sent him by
j. Cleaye Dean, chairman. of the rail-
way employees publicity association,
Chattanooga, Tenn, charging that the
administration was attempting to
put American labor under the gun" by
its policy toward the industrial dis
turbances, Mr.. Harding said:
"Since you speak as chairman of
the Railway Employees Publicity As
sociation, and since it is exceedingly
important that the American people
know precisely the question at issue
in the present railway and coal
strikes, / am more than glad to an
swer your telegram, though | can only
treat your politically partisan refer
ences with that contempt which is felt
by every good citizen in the hour of
deep public concern. Happily for the
American public, everything done and
everything said by government autho-
rity relating to the two strikes is a
matter of record, and cannot in any
way be distorted. There is no dis
pute about the loyal American citi-
zenship of the men on strike, nor will
anyone question that many of them
gave everything that men can give
for the service of this country in the
world war. Nor is it disputed that
the men on strike are exercising their
constitutional and lawful right, under
existing statutes, in declining to work
under the terms decided by the rail-
road labor board or rendered to the
workers by the mine operators of the
country. No one has attempted or
proposed to draft free men into either
the railway or mining service or sug-
gested coercion under military force.
The military forces of free America
are never used for such a purpose.
Their service is only that of prevent
ing lawlessness and violence. That
same unchallenged freedom which
permits you and your associates to de-
cline to work is no less the heritage
of free American who chooses to ac-
cept employment under the terms pro-
posed. The difference between the
two positions is that the striking
railroad workers exercised their rights
of freedom in seeking to hinder the
necessary transportation of the coun-
try, notwithstanding the provision
made by law for the consideration OF
any just grievance; and the striking
miners seek to prevent the production
of coal necessary to common welfare
notwithstanding the offer of an agen-
cy to make an impartial settlement
while the men who choose to work in
response to the call of the country
are exercising their rights and at the
same time are making their contribu.
ton to our common American wei
fare. The decisions of the railroad
labor board are in compliance with &
mandate of the law-making body Of
the United States. Without discuss
ing the decision at issue, it is fair te
assume that government agency il
ever ready to correct an error which
is made. else government itself woult
/, become unjust. Moreover, it is indis
putable that there can be no govern
ment unless its mandates are accept
ed by the citizenship of the govern
ment."
'It is believed" the president con
tinued, 'tthere are enough men wh'
love this country and cherish its Sc
curity and believe in serving the com
mon welfare, co come to the relief o
both situations"