The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-08-25
threatened paralysis of t.ansporta-
Reasons for legislative Action.

Reasons for Legislative Action.
1.-THE almost total exhaustion OF
stocks Of coal, the crippled condition
of the railways, the distressed situa-
ton that has arisen, and might grow
worse, in our great cities, due to the
shortage of anthracite; the suffering
which might arise In the Northwest
through failure to meet winter needs
by lake transportation-all these, add
ed to the possibility of outrageous
price demands, In spite of the most
Jealous voluntary efforts Of the gov
essary to ask you to consider at once
some form of temporary control OF
distribution and prices I,
'If 1t may have your approval, rec
ommend immediate provision for q
temporary national coal agency with
needed capital, to purchase, sell and
distribute coal which is carried in in
terstate shipment. do not mean that
all interstate coal shall be handled by
such a federal organization; perhaps
none will be necessary; but 1t will
restore it's capital to the public treas
ury and will be the instrumentality
of guarding the public interest where
private conscience is insensible to a
public need"
Announcing his decision TO invoke
all pertinent laws in the interest Of
Industrial restoration, the President
used carefully chosen language to APP
ply his structures to both employers
and employees.
Surely" he said, "the threatening
conditions must impress the congress
and the country that no body of men,
whether limited in numbers and re-
sponsible for railway management or
powerful in numbers and the necessary
forces in railroad operation, shall be
permitted to choose course which so
imperils public welfare. Neither or
CARNATIONS of employers nor working
mems unions may escape response
bility. When related to public serv-
ice, the mere fact of organization
magnifies that responsibility and pub
lie interest transcends that of either
grouped capital or organized labor"
Refers to War on Unions.
AT the same time, however, Mr..
Harding said he had "come to appraise
another element" in the present indus
trial situation which he held in some
degree responsible for strikes.
II refer" he said, ito the warfare
on the unions of labor. The govern,
ment has no sympathy or approval for
this element of discOrd in the ranks Of
industry. Any legislation in the fu-
ture must be as free from this ele-
ment of trouble-making as it is from
labor extremists who strive for class
domination"
Supporting his request for tempo
rary national coal agency, President
Harding warned congress that, al
though the skies are clearing" in the
coal situation, a recurrence of difficult
ty might be expected next April, when
wage contracts now being made are to
be renewed, unless cure were pro-
vided for the fundamental ills affect,
ing the industry.
Stating that the Esch- Cummins act
in establishing the railroad Labor
board was inadequate, being with little
the President recommended action tG
make the boards decisions ''enforceI
able and effective against carriers and
employees alike"
Stating that sympathetic railroad
strikes had developed and impaired
interstate commerce seriously, the
President said that trains deserted in
the western desert had revealed the
cruelty and contempt for law on the
part of some railway employees, who
have conspired to paralyze transporta-
tion."
Scores Lawless Strikers.
Asserting that the striking unions
in some instances had not held their
forces to law observances, Mr.. Hard
ing said there is a state of lawless7
ness shocking to every conception of
American law and order" and am
nounced his intention to invoke laws.
civil and criminal, forbidding con-
spiracies hindering interstate COM
merce and requiring safety in railway
service.
In declaring positively for the right
of men to work, the President said
that in both the coal and railroad
strikes this right had been denied by
assault and violence" and, in some
cases, winked at by local authorities.
He added:
at is fair to say that the great masT
of organized workmen do not approve,
but they seem helpless TO hinder. These
conditions cannot remain in free
America"
Government "by law must and will
be sustained" the President said, mo
matter what clouds may gather. no
matter what storms may ensue, no
matter what hardships may attend, or
what sacrifice may be necessary"
The President concluded his address
after speaking 40 minutes.