The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-12-14
PRESENT METHOD
Of PRODUCING AND
Distribution Of
COAL IS ATTACKED
Partial Report of Senate
Committee Contains Sharp
Criticism With Implied
Threat of Congress

Washington, Dec. 14.-The shart
criticism Of the national coal industry
with an implied threat of action by
congress TO meet evils of profiteering
and speculation, accompanied the par
tial report Of the senate committee
on production and reconstruction. sub.
mitted to the senate today. In gem
eral, the report, which asked power ia
allow the committee to continue lis
investigation, suggested government
activities to bring about cooperation
under regulation In building construc-
tion, but its three Republican mem
Ders, Senator Calder of New York.
Edge, New Jersey and Kenyon, Iowa.
supplemented their findings with addi-
tional statements, all of which agreed
in asking special legislative attention
TO present methods of producing and
distributing coal.
These, Chairman Calder said "must
be corrected, while Senator Kenyon
declared that "if the matter is 10
go on, /. for one, harsh as the
remedy might be, shall favor taking
over the mines" Senator Edge ex-
pressed as his conclusion that "the
coal industry cannot bring order out
OF the prevailing chaos, and given
even reasonable relief to the suffer-
ing people, so ! am ready to modify
somewhat, in this case. my opposi-
ton to government intrusion into pri-
vate business and to advocate legiti-
mate scrutiny"
Coal profiteering, especially as it
has followed the priority orders Of
the Interstate Commerce Commission
has continued unchecked by the de-
partment of justice and it is q ma
tional disgrace, the committee says
in its report.
Coal speculation has been per-
mitted to monopolize the transporta-
ton facilities of the country, retard-
ing necessary construction and in
creasing the basis cost of manufac-
ture and distribution of commodities
in general. Ii has bled the home
owners, public utilities and industries.
Our investigation into the coal
situation has convinced us that the
private interests now in control OF
the production and distribution OF
coal, in spite of efforts by some,
are actually unable TO prevent q con-
tinuance or repetition of the present
deplorable situation and that is it is
the duty Of the government TO take
such reasonable and practical steps
as it may to remedy the evil"
Government administration Of the
production and distribution of coal
the committee said" should be a last
resort. "and for the present II was
recommended that operators, whole
salers. jobbers and retailers in the
industry be required to file full and
frequent reports with federal agency.
These reports should allow, the COM
mittee concluded, total tonnage pro-
duced or handled, size and quality
thereof, amount of tonnage contract
ed for, sold on contract and at spot
sale, to whom. and the prices made
and received under contract or sales"
In other fields. the committee said
there exists serious shortage OF
housing, not only in the great cities
but in the smaller cities as well.
even in the far West and South"
which 1t held TO have evil effect upon
public health, morals and industrial
growth. Labor conditions also were
discussed by the committee.
The mis-direction and exploitation
of some groups Of organized labor.
through grating leadership, has been
revealed in New York City. and has
been reported in some other larger
cities" the report said. This has
spread to combinations Of employers,
who. working together with such
grating labor leaders, have COM
bined TO force unduly high prices.
The department of justice is urged to
prosecute the wrong doers whenever
they are found TO have violated the
federal statutes.
Establishment Of more trade schools
by cities and towns TO train appren-
tees for the building trades. was
recommended, as was the creation OF
a federal bureau to assist In fran.
ing building codes which would se-
Continued on page 9)