Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-08-16
President Will Address Congress Critical Transpora-
ton Situation and Spend Day In Conference with
House And Senate Leaders
UNCERTAIN AS TO HIS RECOMMENDATIONS
Promn Action Necessary to Prevent Serious Breakdown
of Equipment Says Law Requiring
Bad Order Equipment To Be Withdrawn
Must Be Enforced

Washington, ID. &, Aug. 10
President Harding today con-
ferred with leaders OF the Senate
and House on his rail strike mes
sage which he is expected to de-
liver to the Congress tomorrow.
Pledges are given by Republican
Senate Leader Lodge and members
OF the House Republican Sterling
Committee that Congress is ready
to back the Chief Executive in
any move toward ending the strike
that may be necessary.
1t was still uncertain as to just
what recommendation, if any, to
force the end OF the strike will be
made by Mr.. Harding.
One point he is expected 10 EN-
phasize is that out OF the present
situation must come some method
OF safeguarding the country
against repetition OF the present
rail and coal strike disaster.
Senator Lodge indicated that
amendment to the Esch-Cum-
law to put teeth in the railroad
Labor Board provisions would not
be asked.
Washington, Aug. l6.-Skeptical Of
an early settlement OF the rail strike
at the new peace conference of execu-
tives and non-striking railroad labor
union leaders in New York, Thursday
President Harding today prepared TO
place the critical transportation sltua-
tion before Congress in a special mes
sage tomorrow.
Mr.. Harding expected to spend most
of the dav in conference with Congres-
sional leaders and other advisors. he
realized that the situation is charged
with political dynamite and IS seeking
advice from all quarters before hnally
deciding upon the text Of his strike
message. -,
Swift action is necessary to head
off a serious breakdown OF the rail-
roads. il was made known IN a re-
mort on defective rolling stock MADE
bv the Interstate Commerce Commls-
sion This was said to show that ABOUT
so per cent of the 10000 locomotives
in the United States are IN need Oh
repairs. A letter to the president
from Chairman McCord OF the com
mission stated that since the strike
"tbe commission has observed WIN
concern the progressive deterioration
Of motive power" ~
Mr.. Harding's reply was that the
law recurring railroads to wlthdra"
had order equipment from service
must be enforced. The safety OF the
travelling public is the first considera@
tion. Mr.. Harding feels. The cores
pondence was a victory TOR Brotner-
hood chiefs. who have been charging
an increasing amount Of defective
equipment. and have been demanding
enforcement of safety laws. -,
Deterioration of equipment viii
continue until the strikers return to
work the brotherhood chiefs have
notified Mr.. Harding. With the IN
crease in bad order equipment the
danger to the travelling public in
creases.
Administration leaders are inclined
to the view that the disputants. IN
agreeing to the Thursday meeting,
simply are iockeving for public favor.
There can be no settlement unless one
side or the other is prepared TO make
radical concessions.
Pessinism for settlement was found
in the fiat rejection Of Mr.. Hardlng's
second proposal by the leaders Of the
100000 striking shop craftsmen. The
rtrikers' leaders demand unimpaired
seniority rights and the railroad exc
cutives stand just as firmly against
the demand.
Warren S. Stone, president Of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
who asked T. dewitt Cuyler, chairman
Of the Association Of Railway Execu-
/ tives. for the conference. refused to
state the nature Of his Plan. He SAID
he and the other big Four Brother
hood" chiefs were acting as mediators
between the railroads and the strik-
ers. and the meeting represents one
more effort for peace.
New York, Aug 16.-Brotherhood
leaders will step in and attempt to Sc
cure from railroad executives, at a
meeting here tomorrow, agreement TO
a plan for settlement of the shopmen's
strike.
A definite proposal on seniority,
stumbling block in the path of previous
peace attempts, is understood to be
+ the keynote of the brotherhood's
plan. ~ rsroo,