The Meeker herald., 1922-09-09
TO FIX A WAGE SCALE
WOULD ADJUST WAGES FIRST,
THEN ASK MEN TO RETURN.
HARD COAL sHAET6 AND SOME
RAILROADS MAY De
TAKEN OVER.

tutEul ODVIullOh VI
anthracite coal mines and some Of the
railroads has been considered ut II
White House conference between
President Harding and Chairman
Cummins OF the Senate Interstate
Commerce committee. ind Attorney
General Dnugherty.
Senator CummIns said after the con
ference That the anthracite operators
and miners would be given one more
opportunity to settle their differences
III there Isn't settlement soon." he
said, u Will introduce u bill nuthoriz-
ing the government to operate the
mines
Likewise. he said, the railroads
would be given IL reasonable" time
In which to demonstrate their ability
to furnish adequate service, and that
those unable to do 30 would be taken
over,
Senator Cummins expressed conf
dence that legislation for both pur-
poses could be rushed through Con-
gress without delay. 1t was Indicated
that consideration Of these steps
would not operate to Interfere with
proposed leglslatlOn now pending and
designed to curb prOfiteerinR In coal.
The White House conference fol-
lowed survey of the whole situation
Mt the regular cabInet meeting and the
termination, without result, Of the
conference at New York between rail-
road executives and union officials.
Before the conference the ground
work had been laid through admins
tratiQn Overtures for further meeting
between the parties to the anthracite
dispute, to be held ut some point In
Pennsylvania. 1t was Indicated that
certain proposals would be nude which
1t was hoped would bring about m ad-
justmcnt of the difficulty which dis
rupted the sessions at Philadelphia.
While no detailed explanation WIS
given m to how the government
would operate anthracite mines In the
event of their seizure, 1t was Indicated
that the first step would be to fix u
wage scale and then request or direct
the miners to return to work. Coal
mined. 1t was stated, would be market
cd through the regular commercial
channels. the government taking steps
to prevent possible profiteering.
| The bituminOus situation did not en-
ter Into the discussion, the conferees
agreeing that this Industry gradually
was getting back TO normal. The ubtl-
ity of the roads TO move coal from the
mines, in the view Of officials. consti-
tutes I'M Important element In this
connection. however, and may prove /,
determining factor as to the necessity
for federal operation Of carriers.
While further developments in boil,
the coal and rail situations are await
ed, measures designed to minimize
prOflteering in both bituminous md
anthracite will be pressed in Congress.
Differences OF opinion have developed
between the executive and legislative
branches as to how far the govern
ment should go in Its effort to protect
coal consumers from proflteers.
Executive officers handling the sit
uation have requested legislation
granting authority to curb profiteers,
not only through control Of the mining
Of coal In Interstate commerce, but al
40 through the purchase and sale of
this fuel.
Congressional leaders having charge
OF such legislation nre loath to have
the government enter the coal market
} however. md no such authority is pro.
} posed in the bill introduced by Senator
Cummins.