The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-01
Amazed at Failure

Later on the senate interstate COM
merce committee got busy and appoint.
ed a subcommittee, headed by Senator
Frelinghuysen Of New Jersey, to make
an inquiry into the coal situation. The
New Jersey senator was amazed to
find that the geologic survey was un.
able TO furnish data concerning the
country'S coal requirements. He went
30 far as to ask the secretary OF in
terror, In whose department is the geo
logic survey, to request congress agaiI,
for that appropriations was only $40, %
900. The senator from New Jersey was
so impressed with the necessity for
funds to get coal data that he appeared
himself before the committee on ap.
preparations and supported the-request
OF the geologic survey But some of
the senators felt that the thing should
originate in the house, and no action
was taken. The house committee on
its side wouldn't reopen the bin That
happened in September,
somewhat similar experience con
fronted the federal trade commission.
II had the machinery to do even more
than the geologic survey, but particu-
larly with reference to costs of produce
ton. Sixty thousand dollars was rei
question. Chairman Good of the house
appropriations committee was willing,
but the time Of congress was otherwise
spent and the senate took no action
These facts reveal the tendency of
congress to turn down requests for
funds that have anything to do with
statistics. The bureau Of labor sta
tistcs have had many a discouragng
encounter with congress on that score
and whether the United States govern
ment ever adopts a budget system or
not, the flaF will never he cured until
the men in congress become responsive
D. az - attn ht,r
which are In touch with public needs,
Just now the geologic survey9is put
ting out some coal reports after a fash
ION, but II is somewhat humliating for
the bureau to be required to accept the
generosity of the National Coal Oper-
ators' association. who are helping to
foot the bill, There are those, for in
stance, who fear that II the figures OF
statistics of the geologic survey are
ever attacked the public may have a
wrong impression from the fact that
they are gathered by funds furnished
by interested parties. on the other
hand certain amount Of cooperation
Is necessary between tina operators and
the government bureaus but the latter
would feel better II II could point tc
the figures gathered as Its own, and
SO would the coal operators, who would
be able to use those figures without
embarrassment.
All yRides--the operators, miners, gov
eminent bureaus and such men as Dr.
Garfield, who had experience In thu
fuel administrator agreed that The
data Is necessary. They have beer
agreed ever since the armistice, bu
congress hasn't seen II that way The
argument that there must be economy
| first seized the Democrats as the ar
mistlce came, and the Republicans OF
Ginning into power in May have addet
even more zest to the cutting dow
process If the Curtailment Of eXpendi
lures we're scientific the boasts of thu
party politicians about the amount o
money they have saved would be valid
| but Il so happens that failure to APP
propriate relatively small sums lik
| $40 900 and $50 600 may mean an ex
| pense to the public of several millions
| OF dollars, much inconvenience AM
much suffering, due TO coal shortage
| Furthermore facts would have en-
| abled the public to learn exactly wha
| the supply of fuel was so that buyin
| would be better regulated, And a NOR
| regular method of purchase might hav
| assisted the operators IN turnlShlh
| more regular employment to miners, s.
| mach Of the controversy about lack Q
| Opportunity to work and tagging pro
| duction might have been examined I
the light Of unquestioned data,
The whole controversy ranges aroun
| statistics. Whose figures are right
whose computations are accurate 9
falr2l Many government agencies hav
| existed To do the job OF answering sue
questions, but the effort In congress
make "A record OF ECONOMY has cause
the executive branch of the govern
ment TO grope It's way through unlight
ed paths Of averages, estimates, calCu
lations and individual guesses, An
while the party politicians crate an
MONT to their achievements, the publ
pays the bill OF neglected opportunity.
| frnn,5rtpbt lqla by The News Scimitar