Evening star., 1922-08-17
CONTROL G0k
Prices hPfR|lBD
Car Supply Regulation. y .s,m-
practicable as Mines Are
Reepened.
SPECIAL LAW IS URGED
Secretary Hoover Wants Presi'
dent to Ask Congressional
=. Action. =: -...-
SPECIAL LAW IS URGED

Settlement in part of the bitumi-
nous strike and prospects qf an
agreement to end the suspension of
work in the anthracite fields has
brought. the government face to face
with a new problem-the matter Of
controlling the prices OF the aug
mentcd coal supply.
The government during the gen.
sral suspension of mining has used
car supply as a weapon to enforce
the prioe agreement to which the
producing operators subscribed st the
new mines opening daily the con-
trolling agency, the federal fuel dis
tributor, has been confronted with the
possibility of breakdown in the
control exercised over prices. Whether
the present system, which 10 purely
voluntary. can be EXTENDED to the
mines now being opened Is ques-
ton being given serious considera-
ton by officials.
Some of President Harding's advis-
ers, notably Secretary Hoover, are
known to feel that Congress should be
asked to enact some sort OF price-con-
troll legislation to prevent skyrocketfn8
Of coal prices as the result of the
shortage caused by the miners walk
out Belief has been expressed in
some quarters that the President
would include such a request or sug-
gestion IN his message to Congress
on the Industrial situation. but no in
formation had come from the White
House today as to the Presidents dis
position in the matter.
Grain Elevators Problem.
The federal distribution committee
announced today that another question
that had come to it for solution was
whether grain elevators should be
classed as public utilities. and thereby
RESERVATIONS have been made. the COM
mittee said. that the operation Of large
elevators in Kansas City. Omaha.
Wichita and other middle western
cities was a matter of considerable
urgency at this time when grain ship
ments are at their peak. The COM
mittee was said to hold that the needs
of elevators come within the jurisdic-
tion Of the various state fuel admins
trationS.
Federal Fuel Distributor Spencer
pointed out today that importations
to lag because of the higher prices it
commands as compared with domestic
coal. and declared that there Is q
real need for all British cargo coal
and that 1t should help to meet the re-
auirements OF many consumers in
i n
The Shipping Board announced yes
terday that a total of sixty-five coal
carrying vessels had been chartered
to bring coal from England and Wales
since the strike began to reach serf-
Gus proportions.
teering in coal was asked of Secretary
Hoover yesterday by Senator Borah.
Idaho, in a letter calling
for suggestions as to immediate
measures to prevent charging Of ex-
cessive prices.
Borah Accuses Operators.
Senator Borah said in his letter
that he entertained no doubt that
some of the operators have taken
advantage Of the situation to charge
unusual and exorbitant prices and
that the practice will now be more
general in all probability" He SUBJ
mitted prices of April 3 and August Z.
made in his investigation. he said.
showing large price increases and
added that he also had letters to sup
port the profiteering charges.
Stating that the coal strike is
settled. or at least in
process Of settlement" Senator Borah
added:
Il should be pleased to have any
facts or data in the possession of
your department anu your own views
and suggestions relative to this situ-
alton. and as to what we can do in a
speedy and practical way to deal with
the situation. l do not presume at
this day in the session we will be
able to legislate fully in regard to- all
phases OF the coal industry in the
matter Of regulation and control Of
that industry. That feature OF the
legislation may be taken up at the
next session, for certainly we ought
to endeavor to protect the country
against a recurrence of these annual
between the operators
and the miners. the cost of which Is
pushed on to the public.
But 1t has occurred to me that
should be and can be done
at once to assist in controlling the
prices of coal in the present emer.
gency. and upon that subject I am
interested to have the
facts and suggestions"