The New York herald., 1922-08-18
HARDING WILL SPEAK
TO CONGRESS TO-DAY
Decides to Present Industrial
Situation Regardless Of
Rail Farley.
PLANS COAL COMMISSION
Will Avoid Suggestion That
u. S. Take Over Control of
Roads in Crisis.
PLANS COAL COMMISSION
Special Dispatch to Tnr Nrw yonx Hrn.LD.

| Special Dispatch to TIE NEw YonK HEnsLp.
New York Herald Bureau.
washington. ID. C.. Aug. IL.
President Harding is ready TO go
before a joint session of Congress to-
morrow to lay before that body and
before the country the situation grow
ing out of the railroad and coal strikes.
| 1t was indicated to-day that the Presi-
dent had decided that the crisis was
such that Congress and the nation
should be taken into the confidence of
the Chief Executive irrespective OF the
outcome of the peace negotiations in
New York.
The President completed his address
10 Congress to-day and before sending
1t to the printer discussed 1t with some
OF his official advisers. They said it
was at present his intention to go to
the Capitol to-morrow-that Is. as-
suming nothing transpired in the in
terval to make him change his plans.
1t was indicated that re might be ex-
pected 10 address the Senate and the
House at noon.
Throughout the railroad strike the
of maintaining the authority of the Rail-
road Labor Board. Some Of his closest
advisers have held that IL the board
cannot maintain its authority, its powers
should be increased and degree or
sanction to enforce its decisions ac-
corded 1t. Whether, however. the Presi-
dent will go to the length OF asking that
teeth be put in the Esch-Cummins act
as regards the Railroad Labor Board Is
problematical. In view Of the storm II
would raise in railroad labor circles.
He is expected to suggest that the board
be transferred from Chicago TO Wash
ington and that there be effected some
degree of coordination between II and
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Has Commission I'm Mind.
With regard TO coal the President
will advise Congress that the situation
confronting the country periodically is
well illustrated by the fact that notwith-
standing the settlement OF the mine
strike the possibility of suffering
throughout the country this winter ~
still looming ahead. He Is expected TO
state that nothing short Of funda-
mental overhauling as regards produc-
tion and distribution will remedy the
evil It Is understood that he has In
mind a commission that would have as
much power over coal as the Interstate
Commerce Commission has over rail-
roads. with perhaps the authority that
the Railroad Labor Board has over
wages and working conditions. The
President however. will not go into de-
tails but will confne himself TO a state
ment OF the situation while Offering gen.
erai suggestions.
As far as the railroad strike Is con-
cerned the President is expected to take
the middle of the road course, lest any
thing he might say should concclvably
affect the outcome of the peace nego-
tiations Under way in New York. He
viii keep clear OF any suggestion that
the Government be given power TO as
sumo control OF the carriers.
He will. however, II was indicated,
restate the Governments position 20 tho
effect that IL will use every ounce OF
power to protect transportation. Per-
sons who talked to the President went
ga far as TO say In this connection that
IL II became necessary to protect prop
erty and keep trains moving In an
emergency the President would not hesi-
tate to call for voluntary aid from the
citizenship at large.
cites Boston Police strike.
Reports that he already has formu.
lated plan which contemplated calling
for 100000 volunteers TO protect prop
erty, junction points and strategic CEN
ters we're discounted by officials. one
Cabinet member saying There IL not
word OF truth in the rumor." Secretary
~ War wcekS Ia authority for the state-
r~.xe~u.A - D.eo