New-York tribune., 1912-07-16
Awaits information as to the
Extent of Interstate CON-
merCe Commissions Work.
TO INVESTIGATE FREIGHTS
Resolution Providing for Inquiry
Followed The Tribune's Dis
closures-May Pass the
House Unanimously.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. }

Washington, July l5-The Dlfenderfer
resolution directing the Department OF
Commerce and Labor TO Investigate the
anthracite coal combination was called up
IN the House to-day and went over for
two weeks In order that information
might be obtained as TO the extent OF the
inquiry now being conducted by the In
terstate Commerce Commission regard
ing the relations between the coal COM
panies and the railroads.
Representative Mann. the minority lead
or. suggested the delay when the Difen-
derfer resolution was reached on the
unanimous consent calendar The minor
ity leader said he was Informed that the
commission was investigating at least one
rhase OF the anthracite coal situation and
nc advised that the House avail itself OF
definite information before adopting Mr..
Difenderfer's resolution instructing an
other branch OF the government % under
take an inquiry.
Tho Difendcrfer resolution was intro
GTfFu lOlIOhlIk All' lfNftaAifitH 90 if
Tribune OF the methods of the anthracite
coal trust and subsidiary railroads. These
same revelations also were responsible
for the determination OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission % prove the al-
legged exorbitant freight rates eXacted By
the tfust-owned carriers.
REPRESENTATIVE Dlfendorfer. WHO con-
sented to-day that his resolution should
go over at the suggestion of Mr. Mann
said tonight:
The resolution Is on the unanimous
consent calendar and will be called mp
again two weeks hence. In the mean time
I shall see members Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission and also the Commis-
sioner of Labor and ascertain the exact
status Of the investigation Of the high
handed manner in which the anthracite
coal companies OF my state are levyins
tribute upon the consumers.
1T was suggested to-day that the
House should postpone action for this
length OF time in order that we might
know the extent OF the commissions ac-
tlvltv. The Commissioner OF Labor may
also be able 20 give Us information q
value concerning this unprecedented con-
dltion OF affairs.
Il know Of no reason why tie resoiu-
tion should not be passed under unani-
nous consent agreement two weeks
hence II was passed over to-day without
prejudice az the suggestion OF Mr. Mann
IN order that we might communicate with
the Interstate Commerce Commission. As
pointed out IN a recent statement 10 The
Tribune. tho striking miners I'm the recent
settlement received approximately 5000 %
OJ0 and the anthracite coal companies.
through increased prices and freight
rates. cxacted three times that amount
from the consuming public making a
handsome profit on the increase they
were forced 20 give the miners.
Il shall be IN a position 20 present these
facts 10 the House and also 20 outline
the scope Of the inquiry ordered by the
Interstate Commerce Commission when
the resolution is reached on next unani-
nous consent day"
Tho Dlfcndcfer resolution was recently
reported by the House Committee on In
terstate and Foreign Commerce. The
membership OF the committee was unani-
mously In favor OF the resolution. which
was introduced several weeks ago. fol-
lowing The Trlbunc's exposure OF the
methods OF the anthracite coal combine