Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-08-17
To
CURE EVILS OF
COAL SITUATION
WILL De SOUGHT
Harding Would Give Feder-
al Fuel Agency Powers
to Control Distribution
and Price of Fuel,
WANTS A SAFEGUARD
AGAINST HARDSHIPS
Investigation of Charges of
Protiteering Is Asked of
Secretary Hoover By
Senator Borah,

ashington, Aug. Is. (by the AS
sociated Press. President Hard
ing, in his contemplated statement
to congress upon national indus
trial situation. will suggest legisla-
ton giving the federal fuel emer-
'9ency organization powers to con-
troll the distribution and price OF
coal to safeguard the country
against hardships this winter, ac-
.cording to officials who talked to-
day with the chief executive.
The president was reported to be
considering seriously recommenda-
tions for definite legislation to pro-
vide legal powers to supplant the
voluntary system OF coal control
now in operation and was under
stood to have before his a draft of
a tentative plan of fuel administra-
ton prepared by Secretary Hoover.
Creation of federal coal COM
mission also would be recommend
ed, it was reported, which would be
designed to make a thorough in
Vestigation of the national coal
industry and suggest legislation for
ilIV Pti pOitNANAA VI l'D'A
problems.
Pending the enactment of en-
powering legislation, the central
coal distribution committee, high
officials indicated, would continue
fuel contro, under voluntary price
agreements.
Fair Price Agreements,
Existing fair price agreements,
made with Mr.. Hoover by produc-
ing operators were to be in cf-
feet during the strike but a meet
ing of the feceral coal committee
with the commerce secretary and
fuel distributor Spencer today, To
consider the effect Of partial set
tlement of the mine controversy
upon price arrangements, decided
that the agreement would hold un-
til production was more largely
resumed.
Mr.. Spencer declared it. could
not yet. be assumed that the strike
was settled, and as operators gen :
orally were showing no ilfclina-
ton to withdraw their co-opera-
ton, there would be no change
for the moment. Application Of
fair price agreements to the union
mine fields as they resume pro-
duction, he said, was now under
consideration by the federal or
ganization. The price situation,
he said. had improved consider
ably III the districts south of the
Ohio and Potomac rivers, but in
the north it was not so good.
Investigation of charges of
profiteering in coal. however, was
asked of Secretary Hoover TODAY
by Senator Borah, republican.
Idaho, in letter calling for sug-
gestions as to immediate meas
ures to prevent charging of eX-
cessive prices.
Senator Borah said in his let
ter that he entertained no doubt
that some of the operators have
taken advantage of the situation
to charge unusual and exhorbi-
tant prices and that the practice
will now be more general in all
probability"
Strike Practically Settled.
Stating that the coal strike is
practically settled, or at least IN
process of settlement" Senator
Borah added:
II should be pleased to have
any facts or data in the posses
sion of your department and your
own views and suggestions rela-
tive TO this situation. and as to
what we can do in steady and
practical way to deal with the
situation. | do not presume at
this day in the session we will be
able to legislate fully in regard
to all phases of the coal indus
try, in the matter of regulation
ana control of that industry. Thst
feature of the legislation may be
taken up at the next session, for
certainly we ought TO endeavor TO
protect the country against a re-
currence of these annual contro-
versies between the operators and
the miners, the cost of which is
pushed onto the public"