AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1922, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AU.ST It A 1.1 AN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

RRESIDENT HARDING’S MESSAGE

NEW VOIIK, July 26. l’residoilt Harding's message to the Railway strikers’ publicity mall lifts just been published, find is a vigorous denunciation of the latter’s charges. He declares the Government is only doing its duty to the people and does not dispute the loyal American citizenship of the strikers, nor their right to strike, but emphasises that those who take the strikers’ places have every right to protection. Tli message adds:—lf you can challenge tile righteousness of their freedom to be protected in their lawful pursuits against interference and violence, I will gladly join you in submitting that question to the decision of the American people.” , w -Ml* Hlirding telegraphed to the striking railway employees, asking them to return to work while a rehearing of tftcir cases is held by the Railroad Labour Board.

. The telegram was n reply to one sent by the strikers’ publicity mail, who charged Mr Harding with seeking to draft the railroad and mine workers, and warning him that if any attempt is Made to place American Labour under the gun, nothing short of a revolution will happen.

Mr Enney, President of the Corrie Mann George Corporation, representing the ini'gf’st collieries in the United Kingdom, states that ordef s have already been placed for more than 700.0()i) toils of British coal for delivery in +l l6 thiked States by the middle of Septembefi: The orders are now slackening because prices are soaring, and owing to the inability of the operators to guarantee delivery.

The Canadian railway shopmen have telegraphed Mr MncKcnzie King, the Premier of Canada, stating that 07 per cent of their number voted for n strike, unless the wages reduction proposals are withdrawn. Action will bo stayed until the Premier replies.

STRIKES CREATE SHORTAGES, NEW YORK, Julv 26.

The price of coke lias risen five dollars a ton on account of the coal strike.

The dealers in coal of every kind are rilisiiig their prices by from 50 cents to live dollars a toil, Householders fofsee a trying dine this winter.

President. Harding has conferred with the various railway presidents in Washington regarding means for a settlement of the railway strike, hut there is little optimism felt. The Steel industry of U.S.A. has been thrown into a condition of uncertainty by tlie coal situation. The intor-Rtate Commerce Commission lias ordered the shipment of coal to f.S.A. for essential industries, hut it is not known if this applies to the steel manufactures, who now are lacking coal and coke.

U.S.A. TARIFF. WASHINGTON, July 26 The high tariff advocates amohg the U.S.A. Senators have won a sweeping victory, defeating, by 43 votes to 22, Senator Lett Root’s amendment to fix oil tier cent its the maximum ad valorem equivalent of the specific rate of the wool duties.

Fight Republicans voted for the amendment, and seven Democrats voted against it. Senator Led Root admitted that the tint tie for lower wool tariff rates has apparently been lost, Senator Root warned his colleagues that the adoption of the proposed rates must result in the defeat of the Republican Pat tv. WASHINGTON, July 26 On -the wool question, the U.S.A. Senate lias also defeated, hv 38 to 16, Senator Wadsworth’s amendment to reduce the proposed scoured wool rate from 33 to 28 cents per pound. AIRSHIP EXPERTS DISAGREE. WASHINGTON, July 26. The Army Air Service report on the Roma disaster last February recommends the use of helium gas in all army and navy airships. American technicians differ from Italian experts rgarding the cause of the ship buckling, the former believing the nosepiece gave way, while the latter think the rudders were responsible. The report recommends that all future airships he provided with facilities for the immediate dropping of all ballast, fuel tanks and the simultaneous stoppage of all engines in the event of an accident.