The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-07-15
Capital Looks
For Settlement
OF Rail Strike
By DAVID LAWRENCE
copyright by The Inte>ligsnosrl

Washington. July l4.---An unSw'rN-
lny optimism that the railroad strike
will be settled or at least truce ar
ranged before the end OF the week seems
"a p"rvadc the executive branch or the
government whilst congress with mea.
ere attendance reveals little concern
one way or the other
prcsidcn, Harding Is not directly
party TO the many negotiations Whlch
are going on informally among railroad
men hut he IL kept, constantly informed
While there Is a difference or opinion
among labor leaders a. to the wisdom
uc that part OF the Presidents pro'lh-
nation which endeavors TO give the
United States railway labor hoard the
prestige and authority OF law by refer
ring TO il as the agency OF tn" govern
ment" there Is no dispute az 10 the
hover Of the executive 10 use the ARM
n necessary to prevent interruption |"
Interstate commerce whether the mails
or private property OF any Kind are
carried
Labor Board Strengthened.
The position OF the railway labor
board has on the other hand been I'M
measurablv strengthened by the state
ment of the railroad executives TO the
effect that they cannot enter into any
negotiations with their men hut that the
decision OF tho railroad labor hoard IS
final. This Is an interesting and hope
tul development as viewed here for It
means long step toward industrial
peace. Heretofore the labor leaders
have felt justified in ignoring tho dcci-
slons OF the labor board by the strike
method chiefly heCase OF a conviction
that the railroads themselves were not
ubcyinS the decisions Of the board.
Some lapSes on both sides arc admit
ted but the open recognition by tho rail
road executives of the fIna'lty Of the
United States labor boards decisions is
regarded here as An important prerc-
dent which will make II difficult for the
railroads later on TO defy the board on
matters which appear 10 favor the en-
ployes.
From the very beginning the Presi-
dent has kept to one line Of attack.
namely tie maintenance OF the labor
board as tho all powerful agency ~
government above which there was no
appeal Congress throughout all It's
debates did not intend that any penalty
should attach for the disohedienoe OF a
decision OF the railroad labor hoard and
purposely omitted the matter Of penal
ties believing that public opinion would
compel obedience. Mr.. Harding is rely
ing. Of course. on public opinion. but
there Ia a feeling IN labor circles that
he has stated enormously the true
power OF the labor hoard when he at
tempts IN his proclamation To give -
the labor boards decisions the weight Of
law and when he gives the impression
that in striking against decision or
the board the men are In effect striking
against the United States government.
The truth Is no where In the Transpor-
tat,on act does tho labor board have
powers Of compulsory arbitration. The
svcrnment, however. has full power 20
protect any workers who do accept tho
decisions OF the board To this extent
any interference with irterstat" com.
merce can be prevented and leaders and
workmen jailed II they prevent others
from taking Jobs In conformity with the
labor boards awards,
Presidents within Law.
The President could have stressed
this phase OF law breaking even more
than ne did and kept within the mean
Ing OF the federal statutes. but labor
leaders. among them Samuel Gomp"rs.
insist that Mr.. Harding's proclamation
contains an untenabe doctrine. 1t Ia
recognized. however. that II the railroad
strike Is settled directly or Indirectly
without serious challenge To the auth
ority OF the labor board an important
advance will have been made and the
principles expressed by the chief exccu-
tive will grow In weight later on. Once
The railroad employees decide 10 accept
the decisions OF the United States labor
board as final they will in turn compel
the railroad to do likewise or forfeit the
support Of public opinion which makes
Itself felt mre readily with the railroad
executives because OF the influence or
the government upon the thousands Of
people and varied interests who's" col
lective power affects railroad manage
ment.
The way out FOR the railroad employees
Is 10 accept the decision OF the labor
board with request for reconsideration.
This may or may not be granted by tho
board. If il IS granted il void not com
NIT the board to modification but would
afford the labor leaders an opportunity
to resume negotiations ard end the
strike wIthut seeming to have won or
lost.