The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-03
HINES FIGHTS
! STEEL PRICES:
COALIS NEXT
Railroad Board Head. as
Greatest Buyer, Balks at
DictatiOn.
STORMY SCENE OCCURS
Heated Conference Fails to
Bring Settlement of
Differences.
PEACE PLANS IMPERILLED
Rate Fixing by Industrial
Body Gets Blow-May Ap-
peal to Wilson.
PEACE PLANS IMPERILLED
SPECIAL Despatch TO THE SEX.

Specset Despdrch 70 THE SrS.
WASHINGTON. April 2.-Steel prices
fixed or stabilized by the Govern
ment through the Industrial Board OF
the Department Of Commerce were
knocked out so far as the Railroad Ad-
ministration is concerned at least at a
conference to-day Of almost all the ad-
ministration officials in Washington in
the Office Of Secretary of the Treasury
Glass.
The Railroad Administration has re-
fused to accept the prices as agreed
upon between the board and the steel
manufacturers. To meet this situa-
ton the general conference was called
After a stormy session IL was an.
nounced that the steel prices were to
be recommitted for further considera-
ton.
All Omctals Are silent.
This was taken to mean that nc
agreement could be reached. as to set
tlement at the general conference
Not one Of the officials who attended
would make an explanation or elsb-
crate the statement in any way.
Apparently there is a wide breach be-
tween the Railroad Administration and
the Industrial Board. and consequently
the Department OF Commerce and other
Governmental agencies. on the question
as to whether the boards policy Ia to
control the purchasing policy OF the
Railroad Administration. which 10 the
greatest purchaser in the United States
~ steel &ad steel produetss coal and
other basic materials.
At least one appeal has been taken
to the President In Paris, and he may
be called upon again. Director-General
Hines Of the Railroad Administration
stands obdurate in his position that the
Railroad Administration would control
Its own purchase policy. and apparently
he has not been moved.
Hines the storm Centre.
His willingness to get together with
the other Government agencies involved
is indicated by the fact that further
conferences are to be held.
The conference to-day was one OF
the most heated in Washington In many
years. Voices were frequently raised
10 an emphatic pitch. II was plain that
many officials left tho conference ir
angry mood and considerably agitated
Director-General Hines was the storm
centre. He defended his position single
handed. as the only representative Of
the Railroad Administration, and him
self drew the issue upon which he stood
As a result OF the differences engen
dered II was whispered after the con
ference that some designations might fol
low unless an amicabie adjustment wa!
reached.
Makes HIS Position Plain.
The question OF coal prices and rail
road coal purchases was taken up, bu
consideration became purely incidenta
when Director-General Hines made
plain that the Railroad Administrator
would not accept the actions OF the In
dustrial Board or any other Government
agency with respect to steel prices.
The Railroad Administration ha
made practically no purchases OF rails o.
other steel and has placed few equip
ment orders since the steel prices wer
agreed upon. Other Government official
frankly expected heavy purchases whei
20 the prices were Stabilized" and 1t wa
anticipated that the Railroad Admins
tratiop would bring the biggest demand
Lack of such orders led to an appeal 4
the Director General. and It Is under
stood he said that the Railroad Admins
tration was not prepared to act upon tn
nFice RChadule agreed uDOQ
Meet I'm Neutral once.
Efforts to settle the situation failed
and the general conference of nearly al
officials was called to-day. II was ex
pected the officials views In conflict coul
be Strengthened out quietly
Secretary Giass's office was selecte'
az the meeting place, because II wa
there the Industrial board was launched
and II was neutral ground. Secretary o
War Baker. Secretary Of the Interio
Lane, Secretary OF Commerce Redheld
Fuel Administrator Garfield. George
Peek, chairman. and all the members o
the Industrial board, and representa-
tiyes OF the War Trade Board, Food Ad
nninistration and other 'Governmen
bodies attended. Director General Hine
attended as the representative OF IN
Railroad Administration. Upon tn
conclusion of the conference. secretar
Glass issued the following officiai state
ment:
"The steel prices approved by the
Industrial board OF the Department
OF Commerce not having been ac-
cepted by the Railroad Administra-
tiov,, the views OF both were ex-
pressed at the conference. The views
OF the industrial board were ex-
sfessed by Secretary Redhesd and
Mr., Peek and other members Of the
industrial board. The views OF the
RAILROAD Administration were pre-
sentcd by Mr.. Hines. The matter
was recommitted 10 the board for
further consideration
Later there was added % the last .as., ss.