New-York tribune., 1920-11-26
Coal Trade Papers
DenOunce Calder's
u. s. ControlPlan
Declare Senator's Scheme
Mark of Radicalism and
Is Opposed by Harding;
Operators Join Protest

The threat by Senator William NJ.
Calder, chairman Of the Senate COM
mttec investigating the coal situation,
that he would appeal to Congress for
Legislation cffecting Federal control
and regulation of the coal industry has
reacted upon the coal operators and
aroused a storm of protest from them.
The official organs Of the coal trad e
have taken up the cudgels for che coal
men and dcnounce the Senator's sug-
gestion as radicalism. Meanwhile tho
Federal and local authorities are press
ing their investigation of alleged
favor'lsm shown to certain local COM
panies in the distribution Of anthracite
by the large operators.
There is no denying the fact" says
an editorial in the current issue of The
Black Diamond, one of the trade
organs, that the people would like to
Sc. lower coal prices. No one would
lll3 to see the coal industry return to
normal more than the operators them
selves. but what the people do not
want to see is continuance of gov
ernment policy which has prevailed
ever since the clouds of war settled
down upon this land and which has
been dangerously near the mark Of
Sovietism.
1T has been very definitely settled
at the polls that the great bulk Of
american citizens have set themselves
aga INST all that pertains to radicalism
In olecting Senator Harding they have
chosen as chief executive a man who,
~ al y
fltQucnt pleas for more business in
government and less government in
busincss'
IF Senators Calder and Edge be-
l;evc they are going to bee able to go
before the newly elected Republican
Congress and introduce bill which
stands diametrically opposed to the
principles upon which that Congress
has been elected they are going to
have their eyes opened.
During the war period the people
submitted to many things in the name
Of ratriotism. Now that the war is
over and new administration has
beer elected, Senators Calder and Edge
are tempting fate when they propose
government control of the coal indus
try or of any other industry for that
matter"
Under the caption Senator Calder,
Please Answer" this coal trade organ
propounds the following questions:
"Will any board of control that may
eventuate as the result of his bill guar
antee an even flow Of cars at the coal
mines?
"Wil the government undertake to
place a stop loss on coal prices, so that
when our supply is too low to make
coal production at government prices
possible, the government will under
write the loss?
Does Senator Calder consider price
the vital thing in regard to coal pro-
duction and distribution?
"Wll the government, as In the case
of the Railroad stration. as
sumo all losses sustained by the coal
industry during the period Of govern
ment control?
"Docs Senator Calder hold that in
legislating on coal prices without legis-
lating on prices Of all other necessities,
Congress would not be indulging in
class legislation?
Does Senator Calder, reviewing the
past Presidential election, see nothing
to warn him that the public has had
more than enough of government by
commission
Armin w. Riley, head Of the Depart
ment Of Justice flying squadron, said
that he had seen ". P Wheeler, of
Oyster Bay, president Of the Long
Island Coal Company, one Of the con-
Germs alleged to have been favored
with n coal supply, according to the
complaints received by Mr.. Riley and
District Attorney Harry E. Lewis, of
Brooklyn, and had been rold that no in
formation in regard to the Long Island
company would be forthcoming unless
given under subpoena from the Federal
courts