STRIKE IN AMERICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1922, Page 5

STRIKE IN AMERICA.

FREE LABOR PRINCIPLE. BUYING BRITISH COAL. UNREST IN CANADA. By Telegraph—Ptm* Aaa. —Copyright. Received July 27, 5.5 pan. Washington, July 26. President Harding’s message to the railway strikers’ publicity man, just published, is a vigorous denunciation of the latter’s charges. President Harding declares the Government is only doing its duty by the people, and does not dispute the loyal American citizenship of the strikers, or their right to strike, but emphasises that those who take the strikers’ places have every right to protection. The message adds: “If you can challenge the righteousness of the free 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.” President Harding has telegraphed to the striking railway employees asking them to return to work while the rehearing of their cases is held by the Railroad Labor Board. The telegram was in reply to one sent by the strikers’ publicity man, who charged President Harding with seeking to draft railroad and mine-workers, and warning him that if any attempt was made to place American labor under a gun, nothing short of revolution will happen. Mr. Enney, president of the Corrie, Mann, George Corporation, representing the largest collieries in the United Kingdom, states that orders have already been placed for more than seven hundred thousand tons of British coal for delivery in the United States by the middle of September. The orders are now slackening, because prices are soaring, and owing to the inability of operators to guarantee delivery. Canadian railway shopmen telegraphed to Mr. MacKenaie King (the Premier), stating that 97 per cent, of their number voted for a strike unless the wage reduction proposals were withdrawn. Action will be stayed until the Premier replies.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

SETTLEMENT EFFORTS. LITTLE OPTIMISM FELT. INDUSTRY SUFFERING. Received July 27, 9 p.m. New York, July 26. President Harding conferred with varfious railway presidents in Washington regarding means of a settlement of the railway strike, but little optimism is felt. The steel industry has been thrown into a condition of uncertainty by the coal situation. The Inter-State Commerce Commission has ordered a shipment of coal for essential industries, but it is not known if this applies to steel manufacturers, who are now lacking coal and coke. The latter has risen in price five dollars a ton, and dealers in coal of every kind are raising the prices by from 50 cents to five dollars a ton. Householders foresee a trying time this winter.