National Affairs: Mr. Harding's Letter

The strike of the Railroad Shopmen seems to be a hardy perennial. Since its height last summer it has gradually faded from public notice. But a letter written by President Harding to the leader of the shopmen of the Jersey Central Railroad reveals the fact that some 40% of the men are still " out" in various parts of the country.

President Harding's letter does not indicate just where he feels the responsibility lies. He says: "I do not find myself able to discern any adequate question of principle which could justify a minority of the interests involved in this distressing situation in refusing to make settlements similar to those which have been made by the majority."

Since most of the shop unions have settled with the roads to their own disadvantage, the President's remarks look like a rebuke to the die-hard unions. On the other hand, the letter was addressed to a union leader and enclosed an autographed photograph to be used in a drive for strike relief funds, which argues that Mr. Harding meant to rebuke the die-hard roads. The press has interpreted the letter according to its union or anti-union bias.