The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-11-10

the Democrats wanted to extend the
arm OF the Government In all direc-
tons.
Senator Harding himself criticised
this sort OF thing In many OF his
speeches and gave the country to un
derstand that IL elected no would
withdraw the Government from bust
ness so far as II was possible. Hts
plea was for more business In Gov
eminent and less Government In bust
ness" plea which his political as
sociates. and apparently the country,
took very seriously.
However far the Democratic Ad-
ministraion may have gone In ex-
tending Government control over bus
mess during the war. II never. II was
asserted here today. lent itself to the
propaganda for naturalization OF
basic Industries. 1t took a definite
the railroads. for example, when
President Wilson refused to hold
those properties for the full period
allowed by law in order to give the
Government ownership advocates q
further chance.
REGARDED As UNwIsE.
The Calder-Edge proposal IL not
complained against only by their Re-
publican associates. Officials gener-
ally feel that II was an unwise threat
for them to make at a time when
campaigns are being carried on
actively in many quarters for the
naturalization OF various basic in
dustries. including oil, coal. the rail-
roads. meat packing. wire lines. iron
and steel.
The effect OF such a plan. even II
resorted to for the purpose OF fore
Ing down coal prices. 1t IL feared, will
be to encourage tho naturalization
propagandists all down the line. The
effect also would be greatly to en-
barrass the Republican Administra-
well as the Republican leaders in
both tho House and Senate, II Is
argued.
From q purely practical standpoint
the ann ouncement by two Senators
that they will call upon Congress to
pass a bin placing the coal industry
or any other industry under Federal
control means very little. The intro
ductior OF such n bill and its passage
are widely different propositions.
Many such bills were actually offered
during tho last session OF Congress
and died without having run the
gauntless OF a legislative committee.
WILL DEFEAT BILL.
It does not follow. therefore. that
even II such a bill as these two Sem
ators have threatened Is presented It
will be passed. When they speak.
however. as Representatives, OF q spe-
cial committee Of tho Senate, APP
pointed to recommend reconstruction
legislation. their statements have
more Significance than those coming
from less responsible sources.
As for coal prohteerihg, which
these Senators seek to remedy. 1t has
been going on in many quarters ever
since Government price-fxinE was re-
Taxed. Almost every community in
the East has suffered by reason Of 1t,
and the Department Of Justice has
been exercising such power a. 1t has
in an effort to check II.
But profiteering has not been prac-
ticed by all coal producers or all coal
distributors. II Is asserted. It has
been practiced largely BY specula-
tors. with the output limited by car
supply and some labor troubles and
with the privilege Of reconsignment, |
wide-open opportunities presented |
themselves to SPECTATORS to exact ex-
cessive prices for coal they were able
to control.
For months the moro responsible |
coal operators have beon cooperating |
with the Government in q movement |
to beat down the prices of coal In the |
hands OF wholesalers. They turned |
first to the Interstate Commerce Com |
that once coal became plentiful the |
take care OF itself.