Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-12-17
j. s. MAY SEIZE
ALL COAL MINES
Senate Committee on Production
and Reconstruction Reports.
TO END PROFITEERING EVIL
Senator Kenyon Sees Seizure by the
Government the Only Way Out OF
the Abuse-Labor Leaders
Are Hit.

Washington. Dec 15.-Sharp efs'-
cism of the national coal industry
with Implied threat Of drastic legisla-
tton by congress to meet alleged evils
of profiteering and speculation, ac-
companied the partial report OF the
committee on production and recon-
struction. submitted to the senate.
In general, the report, which asked
power to allow the committee 10 con-
tinue its investigation, suggested gov
eminent activities to bring about CO.
operation under regulation In build
ing construction, but its three Republi-
can members, Senator's Calder of New
York Edge, New Jersey, and Kenyon,
Iowa. supplemented their findings win
additional statements, all of whlch
agreed in asking special legislative.
attention to present methods OF pro-
ducing and distributing coal.
Favors Mine Seizure.
These. Chairman Calder said, must
he corrected" while Senator Kenyon
declared that "if the matter is to go
on. |. for one, harsh as the remedy
might be, shall favor taking over the
mines" Senator Edge expressed as
his conclusion that 'the coal indus
try cannot bring order out of the pre-
vailing chaos, and give even reason
che relief to the suffering people, so
am ready to modify somewhat, In
this case, my opposition to govern
ment intrusion into private business
and TO advocate legitimate scrutiny.
Goal profiteering, especially as 1t
has followed the priority orders or
the Interstate commerce commission,
has continued unchecked by the De-
partment of Justice. and Is national
disgrace" the committee said In Its
Joint report Goal speculation has
been permitted to monopolize the
TRANSFORMATION facilities Of the country,
retarding necessary construction and
Increasing the basic cost of manufac-
ture and distribution of commodities
in general, II has bled the home own
ers. public utilities and industries.
Calls Condition Helpless.
"Our investigation into the coal sit
nation has convinced us that the pri-
vate interests now in control Of the
production and distribution of coal. in
spite of efforts by some. are actually
unable TO prevent a continuance or
repetition of the present deplorable
situation and that 1t is the duty OF
the government to take such reason
able and practical steps as it may
to remedy the evil"
Government administration of the
production and distribution Of coal,
the committee said. SHOULD be last
resort" but for the present II was rec
commended, that operators, whole
salers. iobhers and retailers in the in
dustry be required to file full and fire.
Quent reports with a federal agency.
These reports should show. the COM
mittee concluded, "total tonnage pro-
duced or handled. size and quality
thereof, amount of tonnage contracted
for, sold on contract and at spot sale,
TO whom and the prices made and re-
ceived under contracts or sales" The
reports should be sufficient ITO deter
mine costs and profits, and the corpo-
rate interrelations or the communities
of interests, If any between companies
producing and distributing coal"
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 is
held to have deleterious effect upon
public health, morals aud industrial
growth. Labor conditions also were
discussed by the committee.
Hits Labor Leaders.
THE instruction 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 10 combinations of EMPLOYERS
who working together with such graft.
ing tabor leaders, have combined to
force unduly high prices. The Depart.
ment of Justice is urged to prosecute
the wrong-doers whenever they are
found to have violated the federal
statutes"