The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-12
SUGAR AND
COAL INQUIRY
The Senate Without Debate
Orders an Investi-
cation
OPPONENT OF HOOVER
HEAD OF COMMITTEE
Resolution Is introduced by
Senator Lodge Of Mas
sachuSetts

| Washington, Dec. l2.-Investiga ton OF
the causes of the shortage in coal and
sugar was ordered by the Senate yester-
day without a word of debate. This ac.
ton was taken in accordance with reso-
luton offered by Senator Henry Cabot
Lodge OF Massachusetts, directing the
committee on manufactures to make
| such investigation and report to the Sen
ate, with any recommendations it may
see fit to make with view to remedy
ing present conditions and preventing
their recurrence. Immediate considera-
ton was asked by the Bay state senator
and granted, and the Senate adopted the
resolution without division.
This innocent measure bids fair to
take its place in the history of war, for
research discoses that the chairman of
the committee on manufactures is James
A. Reed of Missouri, who has opposed
the conservation plans a Herbert Hoover
from the start, while other members of
the committee are Senators Gallinger
and Lodge. the ranking men of the mi
nority. The proposed inquiry will at
tract special attention, moreover, because
of the belief which many senators have
not hesitated TO express that the coal
and sugar famine were created by au-
thority rather than brought about by
conditions which could not have been
avoided. While Senator Reed may be ex-
pected to make Mr.. Hoover his target in
the coal situation, he probably will take
into account that Mr.. Hoover as a matter
of general policy has not emphasized the
question of price and he may be moved
To inquire whether in attempting to reg
allate the price OF Cuban sugar--which
measurably failed-he was acting under
orders. II has been understood in the
sugar trade that the interference Of the
administration was responsible for the
sugar shortage, for the crop has been the
largest for years
The coal inquiry will play up directly
against Secretary of War Baker. whose
action in condemning the Lane Peabody
agreement upset all the plans of the coal
operators to deliver sufficient supply
for all needs and so embarrassed the sit
uation that it has not been Strengthened
out yet. The inquiry also is likely toI
develop that the action OF the navy de-
partment on Communicating vessels in
the New England coal trade, particularly
tugs, was responsible for delaying the |
coal supply for that section TO such a
point that the shortage could not be
made up. While the committee may de- |
eide that the course of the navy depart
ment was warranted by military de
its investigation will place the |
exactly where it belongs, |
and relieve some of the coal operators of
the preiudiees against them and their
class which has done service as an in
,piration for legislation hostile to the
employing interests.
The action on the Lodge resolution.
aiken in conjunction with that of the
Senate committee on military affairs
indicates that despite the sue
,ess of the administration in stepping
IN all measures intended TO lead TO a
general inquiry into the conduct Of the
var, senators as individuals and mem
,ers of important committees will bring
ibout practically the same result at the
.apitol,