The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1922-08-30
URGE LAW TO TAKE.
ROADS AND MINES.
Giving President Power For
Seizure to be Proposed.
DROP PLAN FOR COAL AGENCY
Federal Coal Bill is Limited to Oistri-
bution-No Further Effort to End
Railroad Strike.

Washington, Aug. 3O.-President
Harding still believes congress should
grant him immediate authority to take
over railroads and mining properties,
! it was said at the White House, but
| he has assured congressional SpOkes-
men that only the grimmest public
| necessity would move him TO exercise
such powers if granted.
If congress indicates unwillingness
! TO enact the legislation necessary, the
| president does not intend to push his
! opinion or to make a formal public
| demand for the powers. it was said.
| Officials added he does not believe
| there is any present necessity for ac-
ton under such a grant.
Later it was announced presidential
authority to take over railroads and
mines would be proposed in the house
10y Representative Johnson, Republi-
cam South Dakota, as an amendment
to the administration coal control bill.
In the light of fucts presented to
the cabinet meeting, the president was
said to believe the bituminous coal
producing situation had cleared itself
up and that there would be an an
thracite settlement within !, very short
time, leaving the condition OF railroads
and the shopmen's strike as the only
big industrial menace.
1t was declared the president had
no doubt that by stretch of pres
ent established and recognized admin
;stratiye power, the federal govern
ment could, in emergency, move TO the
control of essential public services
without additional authorization, al
though for the purpose of allaying
public excitement and clearing the at
mOsphere. he was said to feel congress
ought 10 make the powers definite and
certain by enactment of legislation.
At the same time, while he has indi-
Gated his desire for such enactment,
and further has suggested its immedi-
ate desirability, he is not proposing
70 press the conclusion against Oppo-f
sition which already has been voiced
by some congressional leaders.
AS outlined at the White House, the
authority the president thinks desir-
government could take over $50 9di{
vidual line of railroad, or 81 sSss3es116si1
railroads,S or a given mine
ton of mines, and enforce their OPP
Grafton.
Federal receivership of railroads,
although studied as a method of bring
ing about the desired result, the pres
n tcf FOR
and unworkable. 1t was asserted Mr..
Harding would not consider govern
ment operation would be in the inter-
est of railroad labor union Objectives.
1t would take out of union control q
railroad where a strike had been ef-
fective and would leave still in private
operation those lines whose manage
ments had successfully resisted labor
efforts to tie them up.
This would be, the White House
spokesmen said, precisely what union
leaders would not desire.
Under present circumstances, it was
said, the president does not consider
the government has any further re-
Sponsibility or duty to seek a settle
ment of the rail strike. The admin
istration's present intention was said
TO be limited to a determination to
press the enforcement of existing laws
guaranteeing the safety of life and
property and the maintenance of
necessary public service.
Definite abandonment of President
Harding's proposal to congress for a
federal coal agency. with capital to
buy, sell and distribute co |, was an
nounced to the house by Representa-
tive Winslow, chairman Of the inter-
state commerce committee, at the be-
ginning of bedate on the emergency
~oal distribution bill to create ma
hinery TO supervise distribution only.