AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1922, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION MR HARDING’S ACTION. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) WASHINGTON, August 8. " ' Mr Harding has summoned members of tne House of Representatives to resume ihe session on August 15th to consider the strike situation. Warren Stone, President of the brotherhood of locomotive engineers, telegraphed to sixteen chiefs of the railway brotherhoods, asking them to attend a conference in Washington on Friday to consider the general stride situation. The Chairman of the Association of Railway executives, has issued a call to a meeting at New York on Friday to consider the Harding plan, a failure whereof, it is believed, will reatilt in the Govenunen tseizure of roads. Cleveland conference of coal operators and strikers is at a standstill, awaiting V the arrival of Illinois and Indiana ope.rators. It is understood a settlement imminent.

BLACK OUTLOOK. (Received this day at. 12.25 p.m.) NEW YORK. Aug 8. Mr Harding’s proposal yesterday was officially described as final as far as the Government’s efforts to bring a strike settlement through voluntary action by both parties is concerned. Unions to-day indicated they would not accept the latest suggestions, so there is little hope of an immediate settlement. Government officials indicate Air Harding having practically failed to mediate now has the course in mind that he will protect the interests of the nation as a whole. This is understood by some newspapers to mean that the Government seizure of railways in the public interests appears inevitable. Meanwhile there is n more ominous situation developing in a call to a meeting of all railway union leaders on Friday, when the question of engineers and trainmen joining the strike will be discussed.