The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-26
U.S.CONTROL THREAT
ROUSES COAL MEN
Assert Calder Is Tempting
Fate in Proposed Move
in Congress.
IT'S FUTILITY POINTED
Long Island Coal Co. Refuses
Figures on Business to
Federal Agents.

Federal Agents.
Senator Callers reiterated threat TO
move in Congress for legislation effect
ing Federal control and regulation OF
the coal industry In all its aspects has
aroused protest from within the ranks
OF that industry.
There is no denying the fact" says
an editorial In the current issue or
the Black Diamond, one of the trade
organs. chat the people would like 70
see lower coal prices No one would
like TO see the coal industry return to
normal more than the operators them
selves, but what the people do not want
to see is a continuance OF Government
policy, which has prevailed ever since
the clouds Of war settled down upon
this land and which has been danger
ously near the mark of Sovietism.
at has been very definitely settled
at the polls that the great bulk OF
American citizens have set themselves
AGAINST all IndI PERTAINS w ishNiN'A~''
In electing Senator Harding they have
chosen as chief executive man who
during the prediction campaign, made
frequent pleas for more business In
Government and less Government in
business
IF Senators Calder and Edge believe
they are going to be able to go before
the newly elected Republican Congress
and Introduce a bill which stands dia-
metrically opposed to the principles upon
which that Congress has been elected
they are going to have their eyes opened.
The Republicans in Congress will strive
to the best of their ability to put into
effect those things the people want. and
thew have every reason to believe the
people do not want Government regula-
ton of private business.
Are Tempting Fate.
During the war period the people sub
mitted to many things In the name OF
patriotism Now that the war is over
and new Administration has been
elected, Senators Calder and Edge are
tempting fate when they propose Gov
eminent control of the coal industry, or
Of any other industry, for that matter
Extracts then are printed from the
Washington Post and the Cleveland
Plain Dealer
In another column the Black Diamond
under the caption Senator Calder Please
Answer" inquiries:
Twill any board of control that may
eventuate as the result of his bill guar
antee an even flow of cars at the coal
mines?
Twill the Government undertake to
place stop loss on coal prices so that
when the car supply is too low to make
coal production at Government prices
possible the Government will underwrite
the loss?
Does Senator Calder consider price
the vital thing in regard to coal produc-
ton and distribution?
"Will the Government, as in the case
Of the Railroad Administration. assume
all losses sustained by the coal industry
during the period of Government control?
Does Senator Calder hold that in leg
slatng on coal prices without legislating
on prices of all other necessities Con-
gress would not be indulging in class leg
islation?
Does Senator Calder, reviewing the
last Presidential election. see nothing to
warn him that the public has had more
than enough of government by commits
sion?"
wheeler Refuses Facts.
w. p. Wheeler. president of the Long
Island Coal Company, has refused 20
give information concerning the COM
pany's affairs to agents of the Depart
ment Of Justice except after he has been
| formally subpenaed Armn w. Riley,
chief Of the Governments Flying Squad
rom" when so informed by an agent
whom he had despatched to Oyster Bay,
said "All right; that invitation will be
accepted. Since there nave been COM
plants that the company is being ia
vored in the matter of coal supplies and
since il has been reported that John f.
Birmingham, president of the Delaware.
Lackawanna and Western Coal Company,
Is interested in the Long Island COM
pany, we intend TO complete this in
quiry."
Concerning anthracite prices the cur
rent issue If the Coal Trade Journal will
say:
prices on Independent Goals at the
mines have not dropped. but efforts of
wholesalers to eliminate resales and limit
gross profits to 10 per cent. should have
the effect of bringing prices down. pro-
vided the producers refuse to sell TO the
so-callel outlaw purchasers.
''The market for steam sizes mas
slumped CONSIDERABLY altnough the &C.
mand is ample 20 absorb most OF the No.
1 buckwheat shipped by the companies.
The spot market price Is about the same
as circular. ranging in the neighborhood
Of $4.25 to $3.50. (. o. b. mines. Rice is
still easier at SO TO $3.25. while barley
seems more difficult to move than ever at
81 or less at the mines. and cargoes Of
this size in distress in New York harbor
are quoted as low as 1926 alongside.
Mild weather and Industrial inactivity
are given as the reasons for the slump in
steam sizes"
WORLD INQUIRY INTO