Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-07-28
VIRGINIA NEWS
AT CAPITAL
By George H. Manning
Especial Correspondents

Washington, D. c., July Is
Vague predictions of war between
capital and labor, as contained IN a
communication to President Harding
Yesterday from the Railway Employ
ees' Publyicity Association {, were
scoffed at in official circles IN the
Capital today.
Privately, members Of the Senate
were inclined to describe the threats
as cheap propaganda, designed to
bring the general public INTO the IN
dustrial dispute. High officials OF the
administration were OF the OPINION
that certain factions of the disgruntl-
ed element were seeking to anita
gonize the farmers of the country and
have them believe that the whole
question in controversy involved their
interests. which is declared 10 be con-
trary to the fact.
The particular reference to the
American farmer in the telegram re-
ceived by President Harding, which
has aroused the ire of the statesmen
at the Capital, is as follows:
"The blood of the American farmer
and labor is at boiling point, because
they have come to the firm conclusion
that their government is against
them"
And further: 81 pray that it Will
not come. yet feel at liberty to pre-
diet that in your attempt to place
American labor under the gun moth
ing short of a revolution will happen"
The telegram then proceeds to pic
ture "the dark clouds that are on the
horizon sky" which are reported and
forboding a revolution in which the
American Farmer will join labor in
overthrowing the established order of
things.
Commenting on the intimations
made, both officials and private per
sons are pointing out today what
they claim is an attempt to disturb
other industries not at all affected.
"They are trying to make a noun
tain out of mole hill" one Senator
commented after reading the message.
Others assert the whole matter should
be pooh-poohed, offering figures to
show that the questions now in die-
pute are confined to relatively
small portion of the entire population
of the United States, and that the
declarations are no more than nave
been made during former periods OF
industrial unrest.
Much praise has been heard in cir
cles about the Capital, even q part
of it coming from labor heads, of
President Harding's attitude In reply
l.. +.1. tn1l 1l1r
i'm which he said: 81 am more than
glad to answer your telegram, though
can only treat your politically par
tisan reference with that contempt
that is felt by every good citizen in
the hour of deep public concern"
The president is credited for once
with handling the subject without
gloves, and showing the determine
ton of the administration to refute
claims attributed to the general pub
lie instead of confining them to the
channels to which they belong,
On the whole, the public is thought
to be disinterested in the present
strike situation, except to the ex-
tent that any Inconvenience suffered
through Il shortage of coal and tie
up in the railroads VIII be the source
of bitter protest. Aside from this,
the strike question is a matter of but
little public concern. and of all the in
terests in the United States none is
said to be less affected than the farm
ers. who from their isolation are not
brought in contact with the problem.
For this reason the assertions of the
Railway Employees Publicity Asso-
citation have created amusement in
stead of fear.
The farmers, it is pointed out, if
they took any position, would voice
sentiment against the general condl-
tions. as such are likely to injure
their chances for marketing agricul-
tural products, especially those OF
perishable nature.
G.. H. NJ.