The evening world., 1921-01-25
CALDER HEARINGS
SPEED REGULATION
OF COAL INDUSTRY
Bill May Fail of Passage at
Present Crowded Session,
but Die Is Cast.
-SPECULATORS" CURBED
: Disclosures Have Saved Gov
ernment Large Sum on
Years Fuel Cost.
NanraaI Frum q staff Ccrrupondcf, 81 The
Evening Wnhd)

gpushl Frum = staff Carepondcrt q The
Evening WORLDLY
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25-Chairman
Ia Follette Of the Senate Manufac-
tUres Committee has indicated his
intehtion 20 bring the hearings on the
Calder bill to a close. The measure
win probably be reported out this
week The Investigation by the
calder subcommittee on coal, which
resulted in the introduction OF the
regulatory measure and its reference
to the Manufactures Committee. un-
Aoubtedly has helped in reducing the
country's coal bill.
The efforts OF Senator Calder and
his associates 20 bring TO light all the
facts In the coal situation saved the
United States a tidy sum on Its army
coal bin for the coming fiscal year, as
the publicity given to the unbusiness-
like ipractice Of the army buying its
coal in the open market three months
after the coal year has set in and the
majority of operators had contracted
for the sale of their entire output
win bring a reform in this custom.
The Calder committees. investiga-
ton Of the coal industry is one OF the
few Congressional inquiries whore the
result has justified the time spent in
ppOtlng. 1t will probably result in the
clrrtlng Of coal 'speculators' or brolt-
ere 20 large degree in the future.
The producers no less than the con-
sumers in many cases have been the
Victims of these profiteers.
a'he investigation has uncovered
the Needless manner in which the
United States Shipping Board and
Other governmental agencies rushed
Into the market and helped send the
price of coal skyward by keenly
competing with each other for great
dunntities OF fuel The taxpayers
lost not only by being profiteered on
directly by the coal men for their own
needs, but twice over, by reason
OF the exorbitant prices charged the
Cfovernment.
There is no question that the dis
oloanres in the coal trade brought out
by the Senatorial inquiry have orys-
talliEed for the flrst time a sentiment
for Government regulation Of the in
d1gtfy. Whether this sentiment Is
strong enough 10 force the Calder bill
tihroiltih Congress Is doubtful espe-
cially at the short session, with its
lam OF appropriation bills.
Opposition was made before the
Senate Manufactures Committed
against tho Calder bill by w. j
Thompson. Secretary Of the Anthra,
cite Coal Operators Association oi
phiiadelphia, representing eighty
seven companies: by Charles A. Fede.
Law, a District of Columbia anthracite
wholesaler, and by former Gov. Cur.
tbs of Maine, an OF whom declared tn,
bfn would work more harm thar
{ good
EnCort was made by Chairman L,
Foliette and Senator Walsh OF tn,
committee TO close the hearings, bu
objection Was made by Senator Rec,
of Missouri, who insisted that h
wanted further testimony from thre
large operators he asked should bt
telegraphed 70 appear Senator Rec,
6aid he wanted more Information a.
% the relation between labor an,
prices.
Mr.. Thompson said prices OF SIS
Ton which had been referred to wer
extreme and not average prices, an
explained the difference in the an
thracite and bituminous coal trade
He pointed out that steam anthraCit
was sold below cost TO compete wit
bituminous.
he also pointed out that there ha
been increased freight rates to add