Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-07-19
PLAYS NO E'AVORITES,

PRESIDENT Harding is reported to have told a
delegation of bituminous coal operators who called
at the White House Monday, ito go home and begin
at once the operation of their mines in order that
the countrys supply of fuel might be assured"
Radical leaders expressed surprise over what
they termed Sudden display of backbone" when
the president declared that the decisions of the
Railroad Labor Board have the full backing of the
government. In view of the fact that the labor
board is creature Of the government one could
hardly expect him to do less His stand in both of
these cases indicates that he is playing fayorites
and is doing his duty he sees it.
In this connection it may be of interest to recall
President Hardings record prior to the time the
people called him to occupy the White House. In
1919 when the transportation act was before the
senate and Mr.. Harding member of that body.
the bill contained two provisions relating labor
and wages One provision created board for ad-
judcation OF disputes over wages and conditions of
labor and the other made 1t unlawful to into
conspiracy to interrupt interstate traffic rail-
roads This known the anti-strike clause
Senator Harding supported both provisions and
taken to task by Ohio federation Of railroad
poyes who, asked why he voted for the anti-strike
clause. In an extended reply widely circulated in
his pre-convention campaign, Mr.. Harding said in
part:
"In my private pursuits publisher, |
employer Of organized labor, having known
controversy, and believe most cordially in rational
unionism Organization and collective bargaining
under wise leadership, have done more to advance
the of labor than all other agencies combined
and anyone who thinks to destroy sane unionsm by
legislation or otherwise is blind to conditions firmly
established, and is insensibe to public sentiment
which Is deliberate and abiding. But the advance
ment of unonism is thing and the domination of
organized labor is quite another. subscribe to the
first and oppose the latter. do not believe in any
class domination and the long fight to remove the
domination Of capital, now fairly won, is lost II
labor domination is substituted in its stead
~ favored the anti-strike clause because 1t APP
plies to a public service under government regula-
ton in which congress exercises its power to limit
the return on capital invested, fixed rates at which
the public must be served, enacts the conditions
under which service must be rendered, ana Ihaly'
the antl-strike clause provides capable tribunal
for the adjustment of all labor grievances so that
no interruption in transportation need be appre-
hended / believe it not only consistent but dis
tinct advance in behalf of the public and the work.
men alike If the government representing all the
people cannot guarantee transportation service I'M
der any and all conditions. it fails utterly If that
same government cannot provide just consideration
of the workmen operating the transportation sys-
tenn it fails again. 1t ought and must do BOTH
As passed by congress. the transportation act
contained the provision for adjudication OF disputes
but the anti-strike clause was elliiinateu' io"'e
railroad employees legally free to strike proVloeu
they violate no other laws Nevertheless, Mr. HARD
ings letter clearly set forth his views that 1t Is the
duty NJ the government to guarantee both due con-
sideration to the employees and continuous transport
tation. When the question was put up 10 Mr. Haru
ip, the candidate he did not dodge or equlVocate
He does not put the in any stronger terms no"
than he did when he seeking votes lie mani
tests the same quality of backbone now that ne do
then both in the case Of the railroad men ana 1he
mine owners As candidate he spoke deliberately
courageousy and wisely and he speaks the same
language now.