Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-24
GOODRICH ASKS
PRESIDENT FOR
FUEL DIRECTOR
Something Must Be Done Ex-
plains Indiana's Chief
Executive.
CALL MADE WEEK AGO

Gov Goodrich has asked President
Wilson to appoint a fuel administra-
tor.
This became known today when a
statement was given out at the
whitehouse to the effect that the
president probably would decline to
take such action in the absence of
congress.
The governor said he had written a
letter to the president about a week ago
| making such a request. but that he
thought 1t advisable not to make his ac-
ton public unless the president desired
to do so.
The governor said he had asked Sena-
tor Watson to use his influence toward
obtaining the re establishment Of the fuel
| administration.
Something must be done to bring
about a solution Of the coal situation, 4"
the governor said
II had my doubts concerning the power
Of Indiana to act.
However. am determined to do what
ever | can 10 remedy the situation"
The governor refused to make the text
of his letter public, declaring that It's
! at the whtehouse.
Joseph b. Tumulty. secretary to the
president. said in reply to telegraphed
request that II the letter is given out It
must be given out by the governor.
The revelation that the governor has
asked for the establishment of the fuel
administration throws an entirely new
light on the coal legislation now pending
in the special session.
ONE or MYSTERIES
or SESSION.
One of the mysteries Of the session was
the resolution proposed by Senator
Beardsley, republican asking that the
president appoint a fuel administration.
The resolution came as surprise. es-
pecially because II was presented by re-
publican and apparently supported by a
majority Of republicans in the senate.
The resolution was passed by the sen
ate, although there was considerable
speculation regarding the governors at
titude
It now appears that the governor was
back OF the measure,
This reveals the fact that the gov
ernor Is having some difficulty in con-
trolling the house Of representatives ns
doing because the house defeated the
resolution.
p II appears that either the trouble was
not taken to inform majority Of the
members of the house that the resoiu-
ton was an administration measure. or
that the governor is having trouble !n
maintaining control
The statement OF the governor that he
is doubtful regarding the power OF the
state to act places the coal commission
bills ln a new Hight.
DESPITE GOVERNOR.
EFFORT CONTINUES.
Despite the governors doubt, the ad-
ministratiou forces are stlll bending
every effort TO bring about an agree
meut on bill providing for the con
troll by the state Of the price and move
ment Of coal.
The house passed q bill creating a
commission for this purpose.
The senate amended the bill TO pro-
vide that the power should be placed In
the hands Of the public service commis-
sion.
BY some the action OF the governor is
looked upon as an admission OF the enl-
cheney OF the administration in handling
emergency problems.
BY others II Is looked on as an at
ermpt 10 pass the buck In asking the
administration TO do something which
cannot be done at this time in order that
the administration may be blamed for
any situation which may arise In the
future.
Heretofore Gov. Goodrich has been
one Of the strongest opponents Of the
government control Of any private en-
terprise. but his insistance on state
coal commission and his request that
fuel administration be Instituted appear
to be a complete reversal Of his attitude.