The Owosso times., 1922-08-25


tion would contribute to the solution
of the present critical situation. There
Is existing law by which to settle the
prevailing disputes. There are statutes
forbidding conspiracy to hinder inter-
state commerce. There are laws to
assure the highest possible safety in
railway service. 1t Is my purpose to
invoke these laws, civil and criminal,
against all offenders alike"
Though he pronounced as made
quate the law creating the railway la
Dor board, Mr.. Harding said mo per-
fection Of 1t by congress at this mo-
ment could be helpful in the present
threatened paralysis of transporta-
tion"
Reasons for Legislative Action.
1.-The almost total exhaustion of
stocks of coal, the crippled condition
OF the railways the distressed situa-
tion that has arisen, and might grow
worse, in our great Cities due to the
shortage of anthracite; the suffering
which might arise In the Northwest
through failure to meet winter needs
by lake transportation-all these, add.
ed to the possibility Of outrageous
| price demands, in spite Of the most
jealous voluntary efforts Of the gov.
ernment to restrain them, make 1t nec-
essary to ask you to consider at once
some form Of temporary control Of
distribution and prices.
"If 1t may have your approval, rec
ommend Immediate provision for
temporary national coal agency with
needed capital, to purchase, sell and
distribute coal which Is carried In in
terstate shipment. do not mean that
all Interstate coal shall be handled by
such a federal organization; perhaps
none will be necessary; but 1t will
restore its capital to the public treas
ury and will be the instrumentality
of guarding the public interest where
private conscience is insensible to a
public need"
Announcing his decision to invoke
all pertinent laws in the interest Of
industrial restoration, the President
used carefully chosen language to ap-
ply his structures to both employers
and employees.
Surely" he said, "the threatening
conditions must impress the congress
and the country that no body of men,
whether limited in numbers and re-
sponsible for railway management or
powerful In numbers and the necessary
forces in railroad operation, shall be
permitted to choose q course which so
imperils public welfare. Neither or
ganizations of employers nor working
mems unions may escape RESPONSE
bility. When related to a public serv-
Ice, the mere fact Of organization
magnifies that responsibility and pub
lie interest transcends that Of either
grouped capital or organizei labor"
Refers to War on Unions.
At the same time, however, Mr..
Harding said he had ''come to appraise
another element" in the present indus
trial situation which he held In some
degree responsible for strikes.
II REFER" he said, ito the warfare
on the unions Of labor. The govern
ment has no sympathy or approval for
this element of discord in the ranks of
industry. Any legislation in the fu-
ture must be as free from this ele-
ment of trouble-making as it is from
labor extremists who strive for class
domination"
Supporting his request for tempo
rary national coal agency, President
Harding warned congress that, al
though the "skies are clearing" in the
coal situation, recurrence of difficult
ty might be expected next April, when
wage contracts now being made are to
be renewed, unless a cure were pro-
vided for the fundamental Ills affect
ing the industry.
Stating that the Esch-Cummins act
In establishing the railroad labor
board was inadequate, being with little
! or no power to enforce its decisions,
the President recommended action to
make the boards decisions enforce
able and effective against carriers and
employees alike"
Stating that sympathetic railroad
strikes had developed and impaired
interstate commerce seriously, the
President said that trains deserted In
the western desert "had revealed the
cruelty and contempt for law on the
part of some railway employees, who
have conspired to paralyze transporta'
tion."
Scores Lawless Strikers.
Asserting that the striking unions
in some instances had not held their
forces to law observances, Mr.. Hard.
ing said "there is a state Of lawless-
ness shocking to every conception OF
American law and order," and an
nounced his intention to invoke laws,
civil and criminal, forbidding con-
spiracies.
In declaring positively for the right
Of men to work, the President said
that I'm both the coal and railroad
strikes this right had been denied by
assault and violence" and, In sOmo
cases, winked at by local authorities.
He added:
'It is fair to say that the great mass
of organized workmen do not approve,
- L.. n.