The Washington times., 1919-10-05
FUEL LPLAN LIKELY
TO BE HELD UP

The illness Of President Wilson and
his. probable absence from the indus
trial conference, called at his request
to convene tomorHow, raises some
doubt as to the outcome Of certain Ia
Dor and industrial problems for which
the President, Il is thought, would
suggest some constructive remedy.
One Of these problems and one on
which the President has committed
himself, Is that presentd by the coal
situation.
III was'indicated several weeks ago
by ex-senator J. Hamilton Lewis that
Mr. Wilson favored q rational system
Of naturalization Of the coal indus
try. The need Of a closer cooperation
between the Government and those
who produce coal has been eoncurred
in BY members OF the Senate Commit
tee investigating coal prices. Ma
tional representatives in this city OF
the coal industry have anxiousty
looked forward to the labor conference
with the thought ia mind that one Of
the questions that would be consid-
cred by the gathering Of labor and cap
itaI at the round table discussion, un-
der the sponsorship Of President VII
son, would be q program OF coal con-
troll, and a probable proposal Of q
plan OF socialization.
Absence May Halt Plan,
Mr.. wilson's absence from the labor
conference may preclude the consider
alton Of such a plan; at least, II any
such measure is proposed, . staneh
adherapt Of the system viii Be ab-
sent.
The probabIe consideration Of
plan to bring about some form Of
Government contfol over the prOdue-
tion OF coal recalls the conferences
carried on the early part Of the year
between officers Of the United States
Fuel Administration, coal operators
and mine workers. DR.. Garfield,
former fuel administrator, believing
that q plan Of cooperation within
the coal mining industry. between the
industry and the Government, would
be mutually beneficial to the industry
and the public, invited coal opera
tors and mine workers to discuss q
plan OF better cooperation
Publicity Denied.
A plan was drawn up BY DR.. Car
field and modified TO some extent b.
the operators and the workers. and
National Coal Association for q ref
eFendum vote. But this was done un-
der the greatest secrecy, and the pro-
posal Of Dr. Garfield, e. submitted
to the association members, was de-
MED general publicity.
The committee OF the National Coal
Association and the Representatives
Of the mine workers unanimougly ap-
proved the plan submitted BY DR..
Garfield. and IL has since been looked
upon BY competent critics as the
only rational proposal yet made re-
garding Federal control OF the coal
mining industry.
The plan agreed TO by operators
and miners conferrinE with DR.. Car
field suggested that the President be
to recommend to Congress
the enactment Of new legislation
which shah provide:
For the appointment BY the
President Of q fuel administrator and
a fuel commission to consist OF three
representatives OF the coal operators
and three representatives Of the coal
miners, 70 act as advisers 70 such
fuel administrator.
.2-Tos provide that no person, Grm,
association, or corporation shall en-
gage in interstate commerce, in coal
without securing and holding
license issued BY or under authority
of such fuel administrator.
S-Io authorize such fuel admin
lstrator 70 promulgate rules and regu-
lations as 70 the production, con-
5ervation, distribution, apportionment. /
storage, and sale OF coal. and general |
.rade practices BY such licensees. and |
Tor the protection OF the life. limb. !
health, and welfare OF their employees. /
ITO authorize such fuel admin /
stratoF to review labor disputes be-
sH.a-a---r-