South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-09-02
SENATE VOICES.
OPPOSITION TO.
COAL MEASURE.
No Action Taken on Bill. With
Consideration 10 Be Re-
sumed Today.
DEMOCRATS FLAY BILL
Declare Real Crux of Situation
Is Lack of Railroad Mo-
tive Power.

WASHINGTON. sept. 1-(By A.
P)-Vigorous opposition TO the ad-
ministration anti profteering coal
bin was voiced today in the senate
when that measure was taken up
Democratic leaders declared Il
begged the question; that the real
crux OF the coal situation was a lack
az railroad motive power and that
the government should take imme-
date steps to relieve the condition
growing out Of the rail strike. No
action was taken on the bill today
consideration IS expected 10 be re-
sumed tomorrow.
Chairman Cummins OF the inter-
state commerce committee, in charge
Of the bill, and other republicans
agreed that the condition of some OF
- carriers was serious and Mr..
Cummins Expressed the opinion that
government control hight prove the
only remedy His judgment was that
il would take six months for the
roads to repair their equipment so as
10 move traffic 10 full capacity TO
that even with speedy settlement of
the strike there was bound 20 be
a shortage Of equipment in the next
few months.
Sen. Underwood Of Alabama, the
democratic leader. urged enactment
at this session of legislation that
would meet the rail strike situation.
Chairman Cummins contended
that Il would be worse than futile
TO undertake 10 engage the attention
of congress on such legislation at
this time but Sen. Underwood argued
that this was the time to act as
public sentiment might be stronger
for such action now than later.
Plans Strike Legislation.
The committee chairman gave
notice that at the next session he
would propose legislation that would
make unlawful strikes in all indus
tries where the government under
took to establish justice in disputes.
The minority leader recalled that
the senate provision in the trans
portation act designed TO prevent rail
strikes had been eliminated in con-
ference between the house and SEN
ate. Sen. Cummins replied that the
senate conferees held out Tor two
months for the provision and yielded
reached them that a bill containing
such a provision would We vetoed by
Pres Wilson He added that this
information came indirectly but
through what was regarded as re-
liable sources.
Sen. Underwood and Sen. Reed.
democrat. Missouri. argued that the
pending bill would not prevent prof.
teering and that the interstate COM
merce commission had all the auth
ority now over priority in the move
ment OF coal that was proposed. Sen.
Borah. republican. Idaho. interrupt
ed to express the opinion that unless
state legislatures enacted legisla-
ton 10 control conditions in their
states the people would be very
greatly disappointed in the operation
OF the measure.
Sen. Cummins and other republi-
cans insisted that the bill would help
TO keep down coal prices. The Iowa
senator said people in his and other
northwestern states were having TO
pay So ton for coal at this time
and that ne wanted legislation that
would relieve such a condition.
Taking the position that if coal
were delivered in quantity the price
situation would take care of itself;
Sen. Reed insisted that the real
trouble was a lack OF cars and loco
motives.