Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-08-30
HARDING FAVORS
LEGISLATION To
HANDLE STRIKES
Believes a Grant of Author.
ity Desirable But Would
Not Use 1t Except IN
Case of Necessity.
BY the AssociAed Press,

Washington, AuS' ~ wy wv
sociated Press) Smouldering OF
fetal opinion in favor of a presl-
dental authorization to take over
railroads and coal mines not opeF-
ated at their highest efficiency was
revived in congress today wren u
was made known at the Whlte
House that President Harding SUN
held that such a grant of power
was desirable although without any
idea of using the authority except
in case of direct public necessity
One immediate result OF the re.
newed discussion of government
operation was the prospect that the
house might be called upon at
short notice to put itself on record
in the matter. Representative
johnson. republican of South Da-
kota. announced his intention TO
, offer tomorrow an amendment TO
the administration coal control bill
which would give the president the
authority he was said to desire.
Several other members OF the
, house Indicated that they also
would submit amendments with
the same purpose in view, although
congressional leaders generally pre-
dicted no such legislation would be
passed for the present.
Presidents Attitude.
As explained at the White House,
the presidents attitude is that the
administrations hold on the situa-
alton would be measurably
strengthened If it had as founda-
ton the potential power to take
over a single railroad or a system
of carriers, a single mine or series
of mining properties which had
been shown clearly TO have failed
to render the public full service.
There was no hint as to the man
ner In which such properties would
be administered when and If taken
over, while house spokesmen en-
phasized that Mr.. Harding had no
| immediate intention Of using the
suggested power and foresaw no
prospect that It would have to be
| used on the basis of the present
situation.
Mr.. Harding. it was declared. be-
lieved today that the bituminous
coal industry was working out Its
| own problem under the impetus of
the practical settlement reached at
| Cleveland, and held further that
the anthracite strike would be set
| tied shortly.
Administration Policy.
Should this forecast be borne out
by developments. it was said at the
White House, the railroad tangle
I l.. fzf L, n 11rt,. .ia1
knot OF first Importance and in
this connection the administration
policy as outlined today. was said
to be construed on a strict enforce
ment of existing laws which guar
antee safety of life and property
| and maintenance of necessary pub
lie service.
A less optimistic view OF the
| fuel situation was taken by Chair
man Culnmins of the senate inter-
state commerce committee in his
report on the coal control bill.
Situation Is Grave.
"The present situation is an ex.
ceedingly grave one" the report
declared, adding that unless the
railroads succeeded in measurably
illIl llltll ldtlIllltS IOI nam
ding al, the situation would be
the same as though the bituminous
strike was still in progress through
out the industry.
The committee approved an
amendment to the bill which would
limit the authority of the controll-
ing commission to one year.
The house interstate commerce
committee in reporting the Wins
low bill for federal coal control
announced that the proposal for a
federal fuel agency has been def.
nitely abandoned and that "the
president Is in accord with this
conclusion"
| Prepares an Amendment.
Despite this action, however
Representatives Anderson, reppbli-
fcan, Minnesota, announced tonight
that he had prepared an amend
Continued on Page Two.