Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-10
Asserts MOrgdns
Control Hard Coal
tont.nued from Page Ono

'"S 'Hlttu 1thleN senate committee
the Calder Edge committee. is now
DOING
Lauck Ignored at Nearing
Mr.. Lauck impaired the information
that when the Calder committee held
its one sitting in New York. OH De-
cember 4, he was present with his as.
sistants and data to appear on behalf
of the public. However, he was not,
F.. like lot of waiting coal operators
present, called upon.
II Is possible that later he will ap
pear before these same investigators.
THE Calder committee Is talking of
compelling every coal operator and cor
poration hereafter to file statements Of
its production, cost and other stats
tics he said.
What Is your opinion about It as
q means of halting present evils"
asked him.
1T will fail of it's purpose. 1t will
really accomplish nothing" was the
rather surprising answer.
The coal operators. bituminous and
anthracite, We're until recently required
to do just that same thing. Then the
bituminous men made fight on the
ruling and IL was knocked out.
Some Of the bituminous concerns
still continue to file such statements
with the federal trade commission, but
me anthracite men now refuse to sub
init figures.
If the Calder committee recommends
this, It will be merely returning TO the
Old practice. It was never successful
or satisfactory All the present
evils grew up regardless of and in spite
OF it. 1t would afford no relief, nor
would 1t halt present practices"
What remedy would you suggest as
curative measure"'
Proposes Exhaustive Expose
Go into an exhaustive expose of the
whole situation. Drive right back to the
controlling power that holds this whole
anthracite problem In its grasp, the firm
Of Morgan a Co.
Il would show, and il is possible to
do so, how Morgan Il 60. BY its affil-
iated financial concerns absolutely con.
troll the railroad situation and the an
rhracite mining business.
This fact, which is clearly nD-
parent To any one who has studied the
matter, should be brought 10 light
Every individual, from Mr.. Morgan
down, should be put On the stand and
cross examined.
Then, and not till then, will the
facts be disclosed how vast and
elaborate system OF directoratcs, while
not interlocking are interviewer in mu-
tual interest, work harmoniously to
the control Of the anthracite trade.
Following that, and based on the
disclosures made, remedial measures can
be taken TO end the present situation
and system, SO far as the public is con-
ccrned," said Mr.. Lauck.
Every legislative, or other investi-
CATION. however. will be more or less
Of failure unless it goes to the root
"f the trouble, unless 1t goes at the
work honestly, persistently and unin-
huenced from any source whatever
'1t should be supplied with sufl-
r!ent funds TO employ an attorney whose
reputation and experience are a guar
antee of his sincerity and u desire to
disclose everything, right or wrong.
The finest example in recent history
Is that presented by Charles f. Hughes
IN his exposure of the life insurance
system, some years ago. 1t not only
made Mr.. Hughes a national figure, but
IL drov" the sharks and spectators out
NJ the life insurance business and put II
on solid basis. The public has been
the beneficiary in that work.
THE present revelations in New
York concerning the building trades
have been lnUSt astonishing, but they
have been made possible only through
the work OF Samuel Untermeyer as
counsel for the Investigators.
You asked me for full expression
of my views. They can be concretely
summed up in the suggestion that IL an
anthracite commission l. appointed by
your Legislature, it must be composed
Of men desir0uS Of serving the public,
and not the politicians. 1t must be
guided by the bcst counsel that can be
retained. and which cannot be in
Huenced or sweryed by any power in
the state or out Of L. no matter how
potent.
There II one other feature to any
proposed investigation OF the anthracite