The Washington times., 1920-08-22
us. TOEXTEND.
COAL CONTROL
White House Approves Any Move
to Cut Prices Except ex-
, port Embargo.

Further Governmental control OF
the coal industry may result from a
campaign initiated here by the Nd
ministration against prevailing coal
prices. Measures are being considered
by Governmental agences with the
APPROVAL OF the White House which
aim to destroy the "causs or tho
present price imitation"
Any action determined VIII meet
with the APPROVAL OF the President eN-
cept the declaration or an export
embargo. IL is declared. Further
regulation of exports may be neces-
sary. however.
Inability Of the Shipping Board Ia
obtain bunker coal for ships at
Southern ports and gulf ports. except
at prices fixed by spectators Is sup
posed TO have brought the situation
to a head. Rear Admiral Benson, OF
the Shipping Board. has protested 10
the Interstate Commerce Commission
that they should grant a preferential
order from the mines for the move
ment OF bunker coal. Under the pre-
sent laws action by the Interstate
Commerce Commission could relieve
the individual case of the Shipping
Board. 1t would have li.:le effect,
however. on the coal situation In gem
eral.
STUDY EXPORT PHASE.
The State Department has taken up
the question and has gone into the
export phase of the question. Re-
ports of state Department agents in
Italy have outlined the practice OF
English firms purchasing coal in the
United States for Italy IN addition to
the tonnage the United States has
M tn ganl N thar
try. The large sales for exports have
increased the alleged boosting and
Juggling of prices" according To the
coal operators VINO discla!m any part
OF the price movement
The Administration has opposed
any movement to curtail exports. The
present condition will necessitate fur
ther regulation, however, and the ex-
tent of the regulation has not been
determined. The continuance of the
present situation is expected to
prompt the beginning OF tresh
campaign for the Government control
Of the coal mines under a plan sim
liar to the Government OF the rail-
roads.
FROWNS on EMBARGO.
The attitude OF the Administration
on this question may be that OF "in-
active support" The possibility Of
either the Democratic or Republican
candidate announcing in favor OF
such plan is practically out OF
the question.
Word has been passed among Cabi-
net officers that the White House
will not look with disfavor upon any
move 10 reduce prices at once, except
the placement of an embargo.
Secretary of Labor Wilson returned
today from a vacation in Pennsyl-
vania and took up reports Of the
coal situation in the Middle West
where miners are again on strike.
The Secretary will take no action un-
til after conferences. which are
scheduled for next week, have been
held by the operators and the repre-
sentatives of the striking miners.
Industries in the United States
face a severe coal famine this winter
unless every effort is made to build
up reserve supplies.
This warning was issued by w. Il.
Reed, secretary of the National Coal
Mr.. Reed asserted that
the coal reserves in both industries
and public utilities are now at the
lowest ebb.
"All" said Mr.. Reed. "must depend
in large part on reserves laid up in
summer. oWlnS 10 the
situation it has been impossible TO
build up such reserves. Great indus
tries are sending agents almost to
the pit months to bid against each
other for coal.
New England and Northwestern
States face the most serious prob
lens"
Col. d. S. Wenz, president Of the
National Coal Association estimates
the existing shortage of coal at
20 900, 900 tons. due he says, to lack
of transportation.
In a statement before the Calder
on reconstruction, Com
missioner Clyde b. Atchison, OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission, de-
clared that coal cars were being
held up for speculative
purposes.
There has been crossing, double
crossing, and re-crossing on every
hand" said Mr.. Aitchison. Mine
workers, brokers, wholesalers, and re-
callers are all represented in the
groups which have held UP coal"
A more optimistic view is taken by
the Department of Justice officials,
who assert that no serious danger of
famine exists, and that high prices
merely reflect the public willingness