New-York tribune., 1922-07-26
I. $. Operation
OF Coal Mines.
Plan of BoraIl
Senator Offers Bill Proyid-
ing for Creation of Com
mission TO Investigate
All Phases of Industry
Early Action Is Sought
Report to Indicate Whether
Naturalization or Regu-
lation Is To Be Preferred

From The t7rtbune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, July 25.-GoverYl-
ment ownership or control of the coal
industry is the object sought by Senator
Eorah, of Idaho, chairman of the Senate
Education and Labor Committee, in the
bill he introduced to-day providing for
the creation Of commission to report
TO Congress Oh permanent. legislation
TO this end. The commission would
report also on all phases IF the coal
mining industry, including wages, cost
or living and working conditions.
II IS not the purpose Of Senator
Borah, so far as this bill is concerned,
10 take nand in the present strike or
it's settlement He is looking to
permanent phases of the coaI problem
and recognizes that the administrative
end of the government is seeking to
deal with the strike and the immedi-
ate emergency growing out of it.
Senator Borah's bill, which is ex-
pected TO have much support in Con
gress, was referred to the Education
and Labor Committee. He expects
to have the committee take it up to-
morrow or next day and hopes to have
IT reported promptly Without hearings.
lie SAID he had proposed a commits
slon of investigation with reference
to permanent legislation because he
oeiieved the situation required more
| careful and comprehensive study than
committee Of Congress could give
! to il
! 1t is expected that the reporting Of
the bill by the Education and Labor
committee will lead. to q discussion Of
the general coal situation on the floor.
lne commission proposed would have
three members, to be named hy the
President and confirmed by the Senate
A member Of Congress. would not be
eligible One member Of the commits
SION would be appointed from list of
tnfee nominees made by the national
coal association; ore from a list OF
three nominees submitted by the Pres
ident OF the United Mine Workers AS
soclatlon, and one to be appointed to
represent the public not personally in.
terested in the coal business. Each
member would receive $4,000 year.
The commission expires in one year un-
less otherwise provided by Congress.
The chief provision of the bill is:
That it shall be the duty of said
commission to investigate fully the con-
ditlons, ascertain the facts. and study
the questions relating to the coal in.
dustry with view of aiding. assisting
ana advising the Congress relative to
legislation, ether in the naturalization
or, regulation and control of the coal
industry by the government.
ITO this end the said commission
shall ascertain and report 10 the Con-
gress and to the President, first, as to
the ownership and title of the mines;
| second, cost of production; third, prof
its realized by the operators or own
ers OF said mines during the last ten
years, labor cost, wages paid, irreg-
ular production and uggestons as to
the remedy for the same, and ell facts
and circumstances or conditions which
would be deemed essential to deter
mining and establishing a wise policy
relative to the said industry by the
government"