The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-08-25
Industrial
Crisis Bobs
UpinSenate
Strong Sentiment Expressed
for Government Seizure
of Both Railroads and
Anthracite Mines.
Walsh Opens Fireworks

Washington, Aug. 2l-rhe indus.
trial crisis, through failure OF nego-
,ia,ions TO settle the railroad and an
,hraei,e coal strikes, found rs way
back 10 the administration doorstep
today and caused an upheaval IN the
United States senate.
Collapse Of the mediation efforts
IN both OF the strikes preeipitsted
iurbulen, debate IN which sentiment
developed for government seizure OF
the railroads aud anthracite mines.
The discussion was the first real
manifestation by congress OF an ap-
probation OF the gravity oi the sit.
nation and may be iorerunner ot
action authorizing the preSiden, to
assume control OF roads and hard
coal mines, pending settlement oi
the labor controversies.
The president, as far as known, has
not changed his policy outlined in his
message 10 congress, which demand
ed that the law be enforced in the
strikes, but recommended no legis-
lation relating 10 them.
May Change Policy.
Todays senate debate, il is be-
lieved in some quarters, might re-
suit in change OF administration
policy, should the strikes continue.
At the conclusion OF the debate the
government ownership issue was put
squarcly up TO congress when Sena-
tor Walsh, Massachusetts, demo-
crat, formally introduced a resolu-
ton directing the president 10 take
over the coal mines.
The senate debate began when
Senator's Calder New York, and
Walsh, Massachusetts,, called atten-
ton TO the prospect O. their constit,
uents freezing this winter. They
advocated the taking over OF the an
thracite mines. Senator Lenroot,
! Wisconsin, having in mind the dearth
OF fuel supplies in the northwest, sug-
gested that the time had arrived for
taking over both the railroads and
the anthracite mines, pending a set
tlemcnt Of the strikes.
Cummins Defends Harding.
Replying to vehement attack
upon the strike policies of President
Harding by Senator Walsh, Senator
Cummins, Iowa, chairman Of the in
terstate commerce committee, insist
ed that the president had done all
| he had authority to do under exist
ing laws and the constitution. He
declared congress ought to look the
existing emergency squarely in the
eye and should make il crime TO
strike and tie up transportation or
basic industry.
Senator Borah, Idaho. chairman
OF The labor committee. said that even
II congress acted to the full limit OF
its powers under the constitution, il
could not deal adequately with the
situation and declared that it was up
to the governors of the various states
to follow the example OF Governor
Miller of New York, convene their
legislatures and have measures
passed to meet the emergency with.
in their own borders.
Says People Will Freeze.
Senator Calder, who led off the
debate, warned the senate that un.
less coal was obtained within the
! next 90 days people will freeze tc
death this winter
Unless this situation is relieved
within a short time, there will b,
bloodshed in the larger cities h,
said. "A desperate situation con
fronts US. Is this government help
less IN an emergency OF this kind
Do we lack the power or capacity Il
/, adjust the situation; shall we stan,
i idly by while disease and deatl
threaten us?
> The time to act has arrived
!. These men must settle their differ
: ences; they should be told they mus
: agree upon an adjustment forthwith
6 Forty-eight hours is sufficient motto
to them and il they fail to open VI
i the mines il will be the duty OF ,hi
i congress to give the president ful
, and complete authority to take owe
3 the mines and operate them TO thei
!, full capacity for the benefit OF tn
: American people"