The Washington herald., 1922-08-27
WILL WAIT 2 DAYS
Wants Authority to Act
After Adjournment
Of Congress.
FEARS SUFFERING
IN FUEL SHORTAGE
Dispute i'm Senate Delays
Bill to Control Coal
Prices.

winter, President Harding late yes
terday issued a virtual ultimatum
to anthracite operators and miners
that the strike In the hard cosi
fields must be settled promptly or
initial steps toward seizure and op-
Grafton of these mines will be
taken.
Word to this effect came from
Senator Watson. Of Indiana, after
a long conference with the Presi-
dent.
With adequate transportation i'm
perative to prevent an acute coal
famine this winter. seizure OF any
railroads that break down under
the heavy traffic imposed upon them
during the next few months also
seems probable later.
Hopes for Settlement.
II the two factions do not settle
their differences by next Monday or
Tuesday. the President win openly
urge emergency legislation empow-
ering him to take over the hard
coal mines. Already he has given
approval to this legislation in con-
ferences with Republican leaders.
but is delaying the word that will
push il through Congress in the
hope that an eleventh-hour settle
ment of the dispute may be ef-
fected Mr.. Harding made it known
that he will not exercise this power
in the immediate future. He will.
however. bring it into play when
ever he feels such action 10 impera-
tive to the welfare of the nation.
Mr.. Harding is anxious for Con-
gress to enact the bill next week.
II no settlement is in sight. so that
he would be in a position to act
after Congress adjourns Adjourn
ment is expected by the end OF
next week or shortly thereafter.
Menace ~ Josl shortage.
Anthracite coal constitutes about
90 per cent of the fuel used for
heating purposes in private homes
in the East 1t is also the main
stay OF the bulk OF Industries in
the East. while bituminous coal Is
now being produced in progressive
ly increasing quantities. due TO set
ltement of the soft coal strike. the
hard coal shoItag is a rea, threat
to domestic consumers and the
plants dependent on hard coal for
motive power. the President feeis.
Anthracite coal production now is
81 ,OoO. 900 tons behind the amount
produced up to this time last year.
according 10 figures OF the GeolOg-
ical Survey.
May Also Seize Rosds-
With these points anu the dead
lock in the railroad strike before
lnem, Mr.. harding and ms advisers
yesterday discussed extreme steps
rather Inan Iuriner eftOI - TO le-
store peace. Mr.. haroIng and has
advisers were understood TO nave
agreed that seizure OF the railroad
probably would be the next slviss
after taking over the mines. Mni-s
now the principal question is pro-
duction, IL is bound to evolve into
matter OF transportation Fear
was voiced that the railroads could
not stand up under the strain OF
hauling the vast quantities OF fuel
necessary to carry the country
through the winter. due 10 bad
order equipment and increasing de-
terioration OF rolling sIook. With
itensified hard coal production as
sured, either under private or Fed
eral contraL the government must
ind q way to insure distributioa-
Senator Watson said.
Would Ofer Old Scale
IF coal carrying railroads fail 10
function" said Watson. 1t VIII be
necessary for the government TO
take them over and invite the shop
men back" The strikers. he stated,
undoubtedly would respond rather
Than incur the onus OF refusing as
sistance in an emergency.
II the hard coal mines are seized
the government probably would in
vite the miners back under the
wage scales and other working
conditions prevailing before the
strike began and continue them
until April /, 1923. /.
Until il becomes apparent that q
breakdown OF transportation is IN
evitsble. the administrstion will
make no move TO take over the
roads. President Harding does not
believe that the time has yet been
reached. Senators who are keep
ing a close watch on Developments
q showdown and Demonstrate
whether the roads can continue %
operate successfully.
Dtsputs Delay Csel bfh
Congress made little progress
yesterday with the legislation to
relieve the coal situation. Senator
Cummins called together the Som
ate Interstate Commerce Commit
tee. of which he Is chairman. 70
consider the bill to regulate profits
and distribution. Differences OF
opinion arose concerning the meas
ure. At the suggestion OF Senator
Pomerene. Democrat. action was
postponed. The committee viii
meet again tomorrow TO decide
whether to grant hearings 20 coal
operators who wish to be heard on
the measure.
Senator Borah. chairman Of the
Senate Labor Committee. again
brought up the bill creating q coal
investigating commission. but after
IL had been sharply crtt,ces dby SEN