The New York herald., 1922-07-15
BOARD RELIED ON
Optimism Of Capital
Prompted by News
1t Receives From
Chicago.
READY FOR EMERGENCY
Harding Will Draft Work.
ers if No Agreement Can
Be Reached.
COAL MEN STILL APART
Government Gets Reports Of
Fewer Interferences With
the Mails.
MEN STILL APART
Special Dispatch to THE NEw YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. C., July IA.

Special Dispatch 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald bureau.
Washington, ID. C., July IA.
An early end OF the railroad strike
through agreement or understanding
to be reached between the railroad
executives and the shop unions is ex-
pected by the Administration.
The situation in regard to the coal
strike is not so hopeful. although Of
ficials believe both sides will agree TO-
the Presidents settlement proposal.
President Harding, secure in the as
surance that he has limitless power
to meet any emergency. is prepared, Il
1t becomes necessary. to go the limit
in drafting workers to man railroad
trains and to operate coal mines. ANY
such action would be taken, however,
| only In well developed emergency
In this position the President has tha
| backing and support of Congressional
leaders. He has received assurance that
II necessary both Houses of Congress-
will be assembled TO give any needed
authority and to back his hand In pro-
tecting the country from suffering or
violence
The. entire time of the Cabinet was
given to-day to discussion of the indus
| trial crisis engendered by the two
strikes, to the efforts toward settlement
and the steps TO be taken to meet
emergencies as they arise. New assur-
ance was given following the meeting
that the Administration will not hesitate
I, to use the regular army to put down
| lawlessness.
Disorders Decrease.
Reports to Government departments
we're that there was less interference
with the mails and a lessening of dis
orders
The President and Cabinet were closely
advised as to the progress of nego-
tiations in Chicago toward settlement oc
the railroad strike, and It was the tenor
of this Information which brought opti-
mism
Samuel Gompers. president of tbs
American Federation of Labor, had
similar information. but he declared that
| IL any settlement was reached the Rail-
road Labor Board would be a fifth
Wheel" His statement was made In a
newspaper conference In which he out
lined the events preceding and following
the strike. He challenged what hs
| termed efforts of the Administration
and others 10 put the striking railroad
workers in the position Of being in con-
troversy with the Government when
they were only in controversy with the
| railroads.
After the Cabinet meeting the President
made known his belief that the Execu-
tive has power in any well established
emergency which is almost lmltless."
The President Is assured that he has
the power to take any step In either the
| railroad or coal mine situation even 10
manning and operating the properties.
The President believes Il would be no
interference with the liberties OF the peo-
pie to get men TO do this. They might
volunteer. be called from the army or
be drafted to serve In this way.
Not Afraid of His Course.
IT was stated at the White House
that there could be but one challenge To-
any step the President took In emer-
gency and that would he a move TO i'm
peach. President Harding. II was made
known. Is ready and willing to run the
risk OF impeachment II II becomes neces-
sary TO take action in the interest OF
the people.
Administration leaders will not make
known the actual steps to be taken In
an emergency which threatens the safety
of the people OF OF the country. Con-
gress is prepared TO give full authoriza-
tion for the taking over OF coal mines
or railroads on the same basis as war
time railway operation. The President
and his advisers. however, are under
stood to be averse to such a course.
They would prefer, II is known. to oper-
ate either or both with Government forces
or with private volunteer forces under
the fullest protection that the Federal
Government can give. Such protection
would be the United States Army.
Before the Cabinet meeting President
Harding was given assurances by Sem
ator Lodge (Mass) that tho Senate was
ready TO lay aside the tariff, the bonus.
ship subsidy and. In fact. the entire
legislative program TO support his hand
with any legislation deemed necessary
Following the Cabinet meeting Secre-
tary Weeks said the regular army was
ready for service He indicated that the
Administration would not prefer the use
Of State troops in any serious disorder.
but would be willing and would prefer
TO have Il handled by the more expert
enced men In the regular army All
army corps commanders have been
informed that they may be called upon
and to be ready
Reports received by the War Depart
-,,ent through the Department OF Justice
and the Post Office Department indi-
Gated that the situation with regard to
In Denison. Tex. In Missouri. Kansas.