The sun., 1918-07-13
COAL MEN JOIN
B0NEDRY PARTY
Say Choice Is "BOOZe for the
Miners or Fuel for the
War and Nation"
CONTROVERSY AT CRISIS
Agreement to Take Vote on
Bill. After Recess Is Now
Expected.
CONTROVERSY AT CRISIS
Special Despatch 10 The Srx.

NAsHlNGTON, W July iE.-- nat tle uues-
tion OF whether the United States is to
be made bone dry for the period OF the
war has begun to absorb the interest OF
the country and is bringing many new
factors into the situation was indicated
by developments here to-day. These de-
velopments were:
The National Coal Association. rep
resenting operatives with. an output
Of nearly four hundred million tons
yearly. came out fatty for prohibition
and declared that II is absolutely
necessary TO make effective any plan
for increased coal production. Chair
man Hamilton of the operators COM
mittee. making his report, said it was
up to Congress to make a clean cut
choice between booze for the mining
communities and coal for the war and
the public.
Hundreds OF kilograms descended
upon the White House from all parts
OF the United States protesting against
the enactment of bone dry legislation
as being ruinous TO banks and to-
millions of dollars OF invested capital.
and pleading with the President to
veto such legislation II It came to him.
Revenue Loss Discussed.
A night conference held at the
White House by the President, Sem
ator Simmons and Representative
Kitch!n is understood to have been
occupied largely by the revenue situa-
ton as II might be affected by pro-
hibition. Senator Simmons pointing
out that It meant loss to the Treas
ury Of between Ave hundred million
and six hundred million dollars next
year. which would have to be made up
by new taxes II the bone dry measure
should pass and. be approved by the
President.
The wet and dry factions in the
Senate reached a deadlock in their at
tempt to agree upon the day and hour
for a vote upon the pending amend
.ment. and II is believed that the drys
finally will agree to recess.
The most important OF the develop.
ments of to-day was the position taker
by the bituminous coal operators. which
came as an entirely unexpected move ir
support Of the drys. That It will be q
deciding influence with some OF tn,
wavering ones in Congress cannot bs
doubted.
Compare Production Records.
II was announced that the conclusion
represented not only their judgment bu
that OF Frank Harrington. president O.
the United Mine Workers In Illinois. Be
fore making public their recommends
ton the coal operators sent 1t to Fue
Administrator GARFIELD. who in turn lait
IL before the President. Following II
tho atatement:
Regardless OF political Affiliations o
the members OF the association. ant
leaving out Of consideration the mora
issues involved. and basang its opinion
entirely on economic and patriotic
grounds the committee unanimously ant
unaualifiedly believes that national pro
hibition for the period Of the war 4
absolutely necessary e make efectiv
this or any other plan {or increased Goa
production.
"A comparison of the records OF pro
duction Of mines in wet and dry terri
tory furnishes ample proof Of the nee'
n. prohibition. The various instance
cited TO you need not be repeated here
but they typify the experience Of opera
tors throughout the entire country"
A. r. Hamilton. chairman Of the com
poittee made this statement:
"our committee 10 composed OF prac
La