Evening star., 1918-02-27
Blame for Shortage in Coal.
Denounces o. S. Fuel Administration

Discussing the procedure of the fuel
administration, Senator Lodge said:
''They fved price which made it
impossible to work many mines, fright
ened the producer and tended to re-
duce production. Not content with
this, they also set to work to change
the whole system of distribution. No
more reckless experiment could have
been better calculated to make rail-
road difficulties almost insuperable. At
a single blow they partially paralyzed
all tho machinery of distribution. Only
ignorance of economic laws could be
offered as an excuse
THE result of the fuel administra-
tion's policy was to add to the already
enormous railroad difficulties by Gre
ating chaos in distribution and add
ing to all this suspense. alarm and
uncertainty due to fixing an arbitrary
sThe system adopted by Mr.. Hoover
had. at least, the merit of maintaining
production. The system of making a
different coal price at each mine was was
prices down. which is purely guess
work. they brought coal famine with
this nominal fixed price"
Railroad Problem Not Unsolvable.
Declaring that he did not believe the
railroad problem could not have been
solved, Senator Lodge continued:
than that the policy of the fuel admin
istration, its attempt to substitute a
new scheme of distribution. its reck-
less price fixing. brought on a coal
famine in a country which has more
coal than any in the world.
What we needed was not shutting
down of industries. but freight en-
barge on all railroads. 1t (the fuel
of how much harm has been done by
paralyzing private interests and un-
dertaking to solve the difficulties by
one bureau composed largely Of anna
teurs.
."There was no need Of the fuel ad-
ministration. no reason why 1t should
exist at all. and the powers, however
amiable and patriotic the purposes of
their possessor. have been employed to
make a bad situation worse and do
nothing but harm. The vital point Of
the whole coal situation was the rail-
road problem"
Prefers Lane to Garfield.
Either Secretary Lane or Francis S.
Peabody, Senator Lodge said. should
have charge of the coal situation. An
nulment by Secretary Baker of the
agreement Mr.. Lane brought about at
a conference of operators. dealers and
consumers was criticised by the sena-
tor He also denounced comforting of
vast powers upon state fuel admins
traitors.
$50 far as can learn" said Mr..
Lodge, "the only qualification Of these
gentlemen is that they should be demo-
Gratis"
Senator Lodge also warned the SEN
ate against official interference with
what some government bureau may
decide to be a nonessential industry.
Neither, he said in conclusion, should
those who criticise government affairs
| be charged with being friends of Ger
| many.
II think it will be wise to omit at
tacks upon patriotism of men merely
| because we differ from them as to the
manner in which the war is being con-
| Quoted" he said Patriotism is not
| confined to those appointed
/: to more or less important Offices in
Washington. There is tendency to
make the tests of patriotism a blind
] unquestioning support not only of the
( President himself. but of every one
he sees fit to appoint 1t is our duty
to support the President, but
nver beyond what our conscientious
convictions of duty to the country and
| the cause demand"