New-York tribune., 1921-01-19
y. S. Geological
Leaders Favor
calder Coal Bill
Director Smith. of Federal
II. Survey, Strongly Urges
Regulation of Industry
at the Senate Hearings
Opposition Led by Reed
Labor Chiefs Behind Him;
Action May Be Delayed; {;
II: Supporters Are Confident

From The Tribunes Washington Burccx
WASHINGTON, Jan. is. Senator
Calder's bill to regulate the coal in
sdustry was given strong backing to-
,dcy by George Otis Smith, director of
the United States Geological Survey.
Director Smith, speaking on the bill
before the Senate Committee on Manu-
factures, came out for effective regula-
tion Of the coal industry in the same
degree as public utilities are regulated.
Mr.. Smith took the position that coal
was natural monopoly and a necessity
to the public and that it was necessary
to protect the public interest. He de-
clared that in the past season the pub
lie had suffered from speculation and
high prices that are likely to 60 with
monopoly.
=. He told the committee that the
United States had half the worlds sup
ply of bituminous coal, and that, al
though he couldn't be sure how long
It would last, he said some men had
estimated it as thousands of years.
He admitted that the supply Of anthra-
cite was more limited.
- While Mr.. Smith came out for gov
ernment regulation, Senator Reed, of
Missouri, who is q member of the
Committee on Manufacturers, took Il
stand against the bill. Senator Reed
questioned Mr.. Smith closely, sought
20 make him admit the Calder bilf
would accomplish little, and took oc~
casion to criticize the Fuel Admins
. tration as he has done on numerous
occasions.
~, Labor Leaders Are Present
{: John L. Lewis, president, and William
Green, secretary of the United Mine
Workers, were present at the hearings.
The labor heads are opposing the bill
on the ground that inasmuch as the
bill provides the government can go
into the coal business in an emergency,
81 would be within the power. of the
government to declare a coal strike
an emergency and stop the strike.
]. Senator Kenyon and others on the
committee favorable to the bill are
Seeking to convince labor leaders that
by the stand they are taking they are
playing into the hands of the coal
operators and dealers, who want to
defeat the bill.
In spite of some opposition, friends
of the measure expressed confidence Of
reporting it out of committee and get
ting it before the Senate. On the
other hand, with Senator Reed and
number of Senators from the leading
coal states opposing the measure, it is
doubtful if it can be passed this winter.
As Regular Production Urged
4 E. E. Clark, Interstate Commerce
Comm ssioner was before the commit
tee early in the day He said there
had been real shortage o coal, but
there was no shortage of coal cars.
Asked how a shortage could be pre-
vented, Mr.. Clark said:
"By requiring the production Of one
twelfth. Of the needed supply each
month" Mr.. Clark thought much could
be done to. bring about such production
and that more cars should be pro-
yided.
"Isn't the car service satisfactory,
now that it has nothing to do with the
price of coal ?" asked Senator McNary.
"That is true" replied Mr. Clark
Edward Tryon, coal expert of the
Geological Survey, was asked whether
expofs Of coal had the effect of in
creas. ng prices here last year He said
expectation did have that effect, but he
believed strife between capital and
labor was the chief cause of the high
prices here.
Director Smith of the Geological Sur
vey, following his general statement
IN which he advocated regulation, en-
phasized, in answer to questions by
Senator Jones, Of New Mexico, that in
times of shortage or high prices the
man with money or the large con-
sumner gets, coal, while the poor man
or the small consumer suffers.