The Washington times., 1920-07-25
COALPROBLEM
UP TO ROADS
President Believes Fuel Admin
istrator Unnecessary Unless
Conditions Change.
by DAVID VI. CHURCH.
International News Service.

News
President Wilson will rely upon the
regular Government agencies TO solve
the present coal situation, and is not
likely to name a Federal fuel admins
traitor, as he has been requested to
do, II was learned today.
The President has been advised
that the situation could not be ma
terially aided by a fuel administra-
tor. IL was learned, but that the Key
TO the solution rests largely with the
railroads. He IL expected to rely
upon the Interstate Commerce Com
mission to untangle the railroad sit
uation.
One method suggested TO the White
House and the Interstate Commerce
Commission calls for reduction in
the working time OF Industries until
railroad congestion is relieved. There
has been no indication OF any such
action on the part OF the Govern
ment. however, and II is understood
that this matter will be worked out
by the railroads and the shippers,
with agreements between these two
that the shippers shall not ofrer moro
| freight than the railroads can handle.
PREDICT WORSE SITUATION.
The coal situation today Is little
changed. according to reports to the
| National Coal Association and the
| railroad congestion is offering more
| serious aspects than labor troubles.
Conditions in West Virginia are re-
ported somewhat better, while in
| Ohio. coal production In reported to
| be but about 80 per cent OF normal.
| In Illinois, production Is reported 10
| be less than 50 per cent OF normal.
Officials Of the National Coal Associa-
! tion declared that the situation will
| become more serious as time goes on
unless drastic action IL taken, for
there will soon be heavy movements
| of autumn merchandise and grain.
Pittsburgh, Chicago and East st.
Louis are reported to be the chief
points OF congestion.
| Reports that railroads are running
solid trains of coal cars, and are striv-
| ing to and at least one mile day to
the mileage of every car brought
some hopes. Efforts are also being
! made to secure the return of large
| numbers of cars belonging to rail-
! roads of the United States which are
now on Canadian lines.
COAL CLOUDS LIFTING.
The Department of Labor was op-
! timistic today Of early settlement of
labor difficulties in the coal fields. Re
ports declared that the West Virginia
coal troubles have been practically
settled. Three .conciliators were ap-
pointed yesterday to deal with the
troubles in the Illinois fields. These
men. John Il. Lennon. of Blooming
ton. H.; william II. Rogers, OF Iowa.
and John J. Walsh. OF Indiana, are
expected to bring an amicable settle
ment OF the Illinois difficulties.
Neither the Department of Justice
or the Department of Labor had any
notice of the reported threatened gen
eral coal strike in Kansas. 1t was
stated. however, at the Department OF
Justice. that local representatives
have sufficient authority to deal with
any illegal action that may arise.
PALMER PREPARES TO ACT.
Attorney General Palmer is prepar-
ing the way for his forces to take an
active hand in the situation as it
arises.
Observers here see in the informal
gathering of coal experts represent
ing every phase of the coal indus
try, in New York, TeusdaY, with At
torney General Palmer, a prelude to
definite program on the part of the
Attorney General, in collaboration
with other Government departments.
United States attorneys over the
country have had for some weeks
standing instructions governing one
phase of the situation-profiteer
and it was said yesterday that under
these and other orders previously is
sueed, the local officers of the Depart
ment of Justice could take any action
deemed necessary. They are pro-
ceedng already in the cases OF oper-
ators attempting to make undue prof
its out of the present situation, and
their agents are active in keeping
tabs on other angles of the various
strikes and tie-ups.
Following the conference Tuesday,
more specific instructions may be is
sued It is said, governing the pro-
cedure of the Department Of Justice.