The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-05
MEMBERS OF CABINET
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CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.)
gency- In case proceedings should be insti-
futed. either at the initiative OF the ad-
ministration or at the instance OF tne MN MIN
ers, the roads could protract the litigation
for two or three years in carrying the case
finally TO the United States Supreme Court
As the coal moves mostly from the pro-
ducing State TO other States in the Union
the carriers and their rates are subject TO
the jurisdiction that Congress conferred
on the interstate-commerce commission.
Those informed on the subject say there
would be little difficulty in getting some
competent person TO make formal COM
plant. on which the commission Is en-
powered TO notify the carriers and afford
them a hearing and then 10 institute and
carry on an investigation TO determine
whether the rates they charge for trans
porting coal are unjust and unreasonable
whiting the meaning OF the first section
OF the act TO regulate commerce If the
commissions findings should be averse to
the companies Ii would order the carriers
10 cease imposing such rates, though the
Icommission cannot prescribe in such a
5case the rates that should be prescribed.
II the roads refuse TO comply the next
move on the part of the government would
be the institution by the commission OF
suit in the proper United States Circuit
Court to enforce the commissions order.
The findings Of fact by the commission
would be deemed In such a suit to be prima
facie correct, but the carriers could in
troduce other and further proof than that
given before the commission and virtually
have the case retired in the Circuit Court.
Even ii the Circuit Court should decree
an enforcement of the interstate-com-
merce commissions order TO the roads, the
latter could continue the litigation almost
unfortunately by appealing to the Circuit
Court OF Appeals and thence TO the highest
tribunal In the land.
A final effort with the hope of success
IL TO be made 10 end the coal strike. II
has been discussed by the President and
idea Is still In an uncompleted state and
the final result still uncertain, yet il
offers method which now seems to be
the only solution OF the problem. The
suggestion il made that Mr.. Mitchell. OF
the United Mine Workers, may be able to
have the men now on strike return to work
In order to prevent the impending disaster
which a fuel famine will cause and that
at as early date as possible there shall
be a complete investigation as possible by
the national legislature and by the State
Legislature of Pennsylvania into the
anthracite coal situation with view to
bring before the public the facts and con-
ditions Of the miners, with a view to
legislation or recommendations for reliev-
ing the condition OF the miners in the near
future. While Ii Is not absolutely possible
TO guarantee such an Investigation, there
Is little doubt that recommendations by
the President and the executive of Penn
sylvania would be promptly acted on by
Congress and the Pennsylvania Legisla-
ture.
the suggestion cannot be stated, but Ii is
known that he and others fully realized
that after the statements by presidents of
the coal roads yesterday there is little hope
of securing any adjustment with the opera
tors by which the people of the country
may be supplied with coal. It is expected
that President Mitchell will confer with
his associates, and IL they can determine
that the mine workers may be fully as
much benefited by the course suggested as
by continuing the strike and causing the
widespread suffering which is sure to fol-
low a deadlock, ii is expected that negotia-
tons will be opened with view to carry
out the new proposition. Much will de-
pend on the way the miners view the prop
osition, and whether they think IL will
cause loss of prestige TO the union from
which IL cannot recover.