The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-13
weather Has Moderated Only in q
Slight Degree-A. vi. OgIe Talks
Calls for Fuel.

The investigation OF the coal famine
which has been begun by Governor Durbin
will be indorsed by the General Assembly
and legislative commission will be ap-
pointed to assist the Governor In his work.
To this end a joint resolution will be intro
duced in the Senate this forenoon providing
for the appointment of commission con-
sisting OF both senator's and representatives
whose duty IL shall be to assist the Gov
ernor In his investigation, and, IL deemed
necessary. to hold formal legislative in
quiry with a view of fixing the respon-
sibility for the coal shortage and deyising
some method of relief.
Governor Durbin, Lieutenant Governor
Gilbert, the presiding officer of the Senate.
and Speaker Henry w. Marshall of the
House, held a conference late yesterday
afternoon, at which this programme was
arranged. The Republican members Of the
Legislature have been informed of the
Governors work along this line for several
days, and ii was originally intended to
take some action yesterday indorsing his
course, but the matter was deferred until
the presiding officers of both houses could
confer with him and ascertain his wishes
In regard to the course Of the Legislature
Since last Friday Governor Durbin has
been in communication with the chief OFF,
cials OF the different railroads operating
in and passing through the State with the
object in view of arranging a conference at
his office for the purpose OF devising some
means to relieve the situation. confer
ence has been called for Thursday at the
Governors office and the following railroad
officials, or their accredited representatives.
have been invited and earnestly urged to
be present:
c. z. Schaff. general manager OF the Big
Four; II. l.. Magee. general superintendent
Of the Wabash; George l.. Peck general
nolds. superintendent OF the Erie: George
K. Lowell, general superintendent OF the
Monon: c. G.. Waldo, general superintend-
eral ens GI manager ans e Of a the iesieI ssn Ken,
ler, general manager Of the T. II. & l.: K.
p. Broughton- general superintendent OF
the c; E. l.; j. w. Thompson, general
A. w. Johnston, general superintendent OF
the Nickel-plate; ID. ID. Carruthers super
intendent OF the b. d O.; w. NJ Greene.
general manager of the b. & o. s. w: Il
L. Frazier, general superintendent of the
Clover-leaf, and p. s. Blodgett. general
manager of the /, /. & l., L. L. & w. and
Lake Shore.
ALL MAY ATTEND.
1t is understood that all these gentlemen,
or tnen Ol1cial representatives, Will attend
the conference, as the railroads have indi-
Gated to the Governor their desire to do
all in their power TO relieve the coal famine.
There is no desire on the part of the
Governor or the majority members OF
the Legislature to make the invests
cation political affair. A resolution was
offered In the Senate yesterday by Senator
Johnston, of Charlottesville. a Democrat
which is believed TO be an effort on the
part of the minority to make political CAPT.
tai out of the unfortunate situation. Lieut..
Gov. Gilbert said last night that he could
understand the move of the Democrats only
the Lieutenant Governor TO make an in
vestigation which has already been begun
by the Governor and which the latter is the
proper official TO make. Senator Johnston's
resolution sets forth that IL Is the general
belief of the public that the coal shortage
is the result of an unlawful combina ton OF
the coal operators. while Lieutenant Gov
ernor Gilbert points out that the real OBJ
ject of an investigation should be TO fix the
responsibility, either upon the operators
the railroads or the retailers. IL either OF
these interests is at fault.
The action of the Legislature to-day will
be of a nature 10 further the work OF the
Governor 10 bring about relief at the ear
liest possible moment Nothing will be
gained, the members assert by fixing the
final responsibility IL IL cannot be done az
once and relief secured before the severe
cold weather that has brought about the
emergency is over