The New York herald., 1922-08-26

he had authority enough and law
enough to deal with the rail situatisn
apparently was based on incomplete
information. At any rate. at all times
the best informed persons here believed
that the situation had reached the point
or was slowly reaching the point wnere
prosecution of sporadic strikes OF tram
men under the Sherman act or COM
plete enforcement of the safety appliance
laws was not remedy that could be
depended on.
What the Administration intends 70
do with respect to the striking shop
men on the seniority question and
wages has not been decided. The Gov
ernment, however feels assured that
labor will be available; 1t will not un-
dertake 10 pass on the differences De-
tween the carriers and the unions IN
the resumption of control of this and
that railroad. If the strikers are taken
back they will go back as employees OF
the Government to be designated as
the Government decides.
II the shopmen should hold out
against the Government. which Is not
expected. the President in all probabil-
ity would make an appeal to the citizen
nv at large and would be enabled TO
carry out a sufficient mobilization to
handle the roads taken over. Assump-
tion OF control by the Government would
do away with the possibility OF action
by the big brotherhoods and probably
also would bring an end to the sym
pathetic strikes.
Action Here Disappointing.
The final rupture in New York to-
day, although not unexpected, came as
great disappointment to the President
and his advisers.
While it was stated on behalf of the
President that he had no new plan to
propose. this. it was indicated, referred
10 a plan for the settlement of the
strike and not to the policy of the
Government with regard to the main
tenance OF transportation. which Is now
seriously endangered.
The failure of the negotiations In New
York came contemporaneously with the
receipt of information by the govern
ment indicating that the breakdown is
proceeding at an unexpected rate. EN-
ports reaching here were 10 the ef1ect
that the roads of the midwest are not
only being handicapped by the with
drawal Of motive power and the short
age of cars but that there is approach
ing a complete breakdown.
These are the roads which have to
bear the brunt of transporting the coal
necessary TO make UP for the shortage
growing out of the strike. They are
also the roads which provide the chan
nels for marketing the crops OF the
most important agricultural center OF
the nation and a breakdown on them.
If is believed. would practically result
In a complete upsetting of the indus
trial fabric Of the country.
Fail to Meet Law.
The Interstate Commerce Commission.
which is keeping tab on the condi-
tion of equipment. it was learned to-
day, has sent to the Department or Jus
tice a report bearing on the failure OF
the roads in many instances to adhere
strictly to the safety appliance require
ments under the law.
A pivotal question at the moment is
what the membership of the Big Four
group will do following the failure Oh
their mediation efforts. Should they ue-
eide to make the shopmen's issue their
own or should they fail to keep ia line
their men and sympathetic strikes in
crease, il goes without question that the
Administration would have to take
different stand as to whether to let
transports ton become completely de-
moralized or take the roads over in time
to save the country.
Administration leaders in Congress
believe that the President will not hesi-
tate to take the roads over II the situa-
ton keeps gradually getting more acute.
They declare that Congress will be
ready to accord him whatever authority
he needs TO deal with the crisis. They
90 not believe that either the Sherman
act or the full enforcement. OF Safety
Appliances act can effectir ely solve a
condition of sympathetic strikes and de-
teriorating equipment.
Preliminary reports reaching the De-
partment OF Justice bear ou the belief
of the Attorney-General that there has
been fiagrant instances OF colluslon and
conspiracy to interference with trans
portation. The Attorney General. how
ever. is awaiting final reports before
issuing orders for criminal action