New-York tribune., 1922-08-26
President Prepares lo Ape
peal for Legislation if
Industrial Situation Ii
Not Speedily Cleared
Will Fix Wages,
Call for Workers
Operators and Miners Get
Final Chance; Carriers
Muss Restore Service

WASHINGTON. Aug. 2E.--Feds
eral operation of anthracite coal
mines and sonse OF the railroads
was considered at a White House
conference tonight among Prcsi-
dent Harding and Chairman Cuni-
Minis of the Senate Integssste Conf
merce Committee and Attorney Gem
eral Daugherty.
After the conference IL was said
that the Administrator would seek
legislation from Congress authorilt~
ing the taking over of certain rail-
roads and anthracite mines If there
is not a radical Improvement in the
industrial situation within a few
days.
Last Chance for Peace
Senator Cummins said after fhe
conference that the anthracite oper-
ators and miners would have ore
more opportunity to settle their dit.
ferences.
"If there isn't settlement in
few days." he said, Il win introduce
bill authorizing che government To
operate the mines"
Likewise, he said, a reasonable"
time would be allowed the railroads
in which TO demonstrate their abii-
ity to furnish adequate service ard
that those unable TO do so would be-
taken over.
Senator cummins expressed conA-
dence that legislation for roth pur-
poses could be rushed through Con-
gress without delay. IL was Indicated
that consideration Of these steps would
not operate TO interfere with proposed
legislation now pending and designed
to curb protiteering in coal.
Resume Conference To-day
The White House conferences fol.
lowed a survey Of the whole situation
st the regular Cabinet meeting and the
termination without result Of the con-
ference at New York between railroad
executives and union officials. IL wis
said that the White House eonferenee
would be resumed tomorrow.
Before to-niFht's conference tire
groundwork had been laid through Adj
minissration overtures for a further
meeting between the parties 90 the
anthracite dispute, to be held rext
week at some point in Pennsylvania.
It was indicated that certain propo-
sails would be made which il was hoped
would bring about an adjustment Df
the difficulty which disrupted She ses-
sions at Philadelphia this week.
While ne detailed explanation WAS
given as TO how the government would
operate the anthracite, mines in the
event Of their seizure. it was Indicated
that the first step would be TO FIX
wage scale and then request or direct
the miners 20 return to work. Coal
mined, il was said, would be marketed
through the regular commercial cham
nels, the government taking steps to
prevent protiteering.
Transportation Vital Factor
The bituninous situation did not
enter into the discussion. the con-
ferees agreeing that this Industry
gradually was getting back to normal.
The ability of the roads TO moSS4 coal
from the mines, in the view of officials,
constitutes an important element in
this connection, however, and may
prove determining factor as 70 sha
necessity for Federal operation CT car
riers.
While further developments in both
the coal and rail situations are await
ed, measures designed to minimize
prosteering In both bituminous and
anthracite will be pressed In Congress,