Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-11-09
CaIder-Edge Warning to Coal
Men Observed as Radicals
Opportunity.
MIGHT OPEN UP WHOLE
NATURALIZATION ISSUE
Bill Would Mean Agitation in
Other Industries; Discussion
Alone Is Discouraged.
RYN a. MESSENGER.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

Considerable comment has been oc-
casioned in political. congressional
and general circles by the statement
Of Senator'S Calder and Edge of the
senatorial investigating committee
that if the dealers who are alleged
to have been manipulating coal prices
to the detriment of the public do not
reform, the government may take over
the coafmines and means OF dlstriou-
tion and operate them.
At first blush this procurement
was loudly hailed with acclaim. par
ticularly by the man in the street.
That's the talk" was an expression
heard on every side, and whlch Iouno
echo in some political quarters. Prob
ably it was received with immense
satisfaction by certain class OF
economists. preaching the new doc
trine of naturalization of industries.
F'rauEht With Menace.
BY some cautious men in public life,
however, the proposal is classed as
being fraught with menace. The ques-
ton is being asked whether advanc-
ing such a proposition in bill form
ally presented in Congress might not
open up the whole question of nation
alizing industries, government owner
ship of railways, the Plumb plan for
participation of the employees and the
ownership and management Of rail-
roads. and. in fact. constitute favor
able squint toward sovietism.
These objectors to the Calder-Edge
suggestion fear that if the Congress
should find it necessary to take over
under government control and opera
ton the coal mines and coal cars. with
a controlling hand on distribution. and
~ n result E.
duced prices to the consumer, there
might be immediate demand for the
inclusion of oil and gasoline in the
plan. The next logical step. they ap-
prehend, would be to apply the sys,
spell adoption of the Plumb plan. in
all likelihood. Then. demand could be
expected. they say. for similar treat
ment for steel and other basic raw
materials. s,z.re ~ -. =
veritable sPasdera,s Bsx.
ut would be- opening veritable
PanaosN's+ bog ysof2 problems for this
country" was the observation today
Of a high oficial Of this administra-
ownership or too much government
control Of industries. This official
pointed out that President -elect Hard
ing in the recent campaign made fire.
Quent pleas for more business in gov
ernment and less government in busi-
ness
1t is believed to be assured that in
the new Congress there would be
sharp division among both republicans
and democrats on bill proposing
what the New York and New Jersey
senators have threatened. in specified
ment Of both the old parties would
resist it. but in the lower House Of
Congress-. especially. there is expected
to be found a considerable radical
element. which, under the whip and
spur Of protest t from rom. It the h. people
might favor it.
1t is not believed that the new Senate,
with it's pronounced conservative per-
sonnel. will ever give it's assent to
such bill. But that Is not the point;
the fear is that serious discussion of
the Plumb planners and the advocates
Of naturalization Of Industries. For
the Congress of the United States to
seriously consider such proposed
measure. and open up debate on it,
would be water over the wheel Of the
radicals. it is said.
Think 1t Meant ~ Warning.
Statesmen here think that what
Senator's Edge and Calder really had
in mind was a word of warning to
the coal men charged with the al
legged misdeeds, and to all other
profiteers. in whatever line of pub
lie utilities and necessaries of life
they may be dealing, to stop. look
and listen. telling them what may
befall them if they fail.
1t is pointed out that the trusts
brought down upon themselves by
their abuse of policies Of combination
the stringent antitrust laws which
went to such extremes that they
prevented many reasonable and in
deed beneficial opportunities Of COM
bination. 1t is recalled that the rail-
roads, by practices which they have
since admitted to be wrong. were re-
sponsible for the crusade Of state
and national restrictive legislation
that resulted in hampering their le-.
gitimate functions.
Take warning by the past and
don't pursue a course which will
tempt the people to set Uncle Sam
onto you is the construction placed
upon the senator's warning to the al
legged "malefactors" in the coal trade.