Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-17
Governors Conference Fa-
vors Federal Control of
Prices; Harding, Would
Seize Mines and Fix Re-
tail Costs.
MINERS VOTE TO-DAY
ON WORK RESUMPTION

Chicago, Aug. 16.-With Illinois coal
situation still critical and muddled,
representatives of councils of defense
from numerous middle west states met
here today with Justice O. N. Carter,
director Of coal for Illinois, to discuss
plans for cooperation in dealing with
fuel conditions.
A sentiment IN favor of federal con-
troll Of coal and the price thereof devel
oped early, "a opposed to the Illinois
plan for state control. Governor Cap.
per Of Kansas and VIII Hays, Of the
Indiana delegation, spoke for federal
control.
HARDING FOR SEIZURE.
Governor Harding Of Iowa said:
Immediate action is necessary. Iowa
has the power to fix the price and to
mine coal. l believe all states have
that power in time Of war. The states
should fix the price Of this coal and
then turn the whole situation over to
the president of the United States or a
representative appointed by him to
take charge. The operators, Of course.
should be allowed Just profit and
above all the price should be the same
to manufacturer or consumer"
FEDERAL BOARD INTERVIEWS.
That the federal trade commission
expects to fix coal prices and that the
president may appoint man to en-
force its mandates, WAS the informa-
tion contained in telegram from L. l..
Bracken, secretary of the federal trade
commission to Governor Lowden. It
was forwarded by the governor to
Chairman insult. who read Il TO the
delegates. The telegram follows:
eS..~ In order 10 AVOID Conflict In the
coal situation we suggest . conference
of your representatives as to coal
prices with the federal trade commis-
sion and whomsoever, II anybody, the
president may direct to put into effect
the provisions Of the Lever law. The
federal trade commission will be
charged with price determination and
in the interests of public service we
suggest that that phase be complicated
as little as possible. The commits
sion desires to cooperate with you In
every way"
Outlining the coal situation to the
delegates, Samuel insult, chairman Of
the council, who acted also as chair
man Of the conference, declared that
the federal plan Of fuel control leaves
much that must be done by the states.
lOWAN IS SECRETARY.
It was nearly noon before the con-
ference organized with Mr.. insult in
the chair and r. H. Hammill Of Boone,
iowa, as secretary.
DELEGATES FROM IOWA.
The delegates, who numbered fifty
seven, we're mostly members Of the
Of defense of their respec-
tive states. The Iowa delegates, in
addition to Governor Harding and Mr..
Hammill, are.
William G.. Dows, Cedar Rapids; D.
]. Palmer. Washington; Paul S. Junk
In. Creston; ]. L. Kennedy, Sioux
City; ]. J. Doyle, Shenandoah: F. F.
Everset, Council Bluffs; Charles Web
Iter, Waucoma; Frank O'Connor. New
T. A. Potter. Mason City;
J. F.. Deems, Burlington; A. O..
Haines, Des Moines; E. D. Sweeney,
Des Moines; George s. Wright. Coun-
Gil Bluffs, and c. C. Dearing. Des
Moines.
Iowa, Kentucky. North Dakota.
South Dakota, Indiana. Kansas, Mis-.
souri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin and
Minnesota are among the states par
in the conferences.
Besides the governors and other
state representatives, the coal op-
orators. retailers. railroads and