The New York herald., 1922-07-21
TO HALT FAMINE
Cabinet and Commerce
Commission Work Out
Priority Coal Move
ment Scheme.
ROADS ALREADY HIT
English Mines Expected to
Help Relieve Fuel
Shortage in East.
PLEDGED TO COMMISSION
Harding Promises u Name
Coal Investigating Body
in Due Time
PLEDGED TO COMMISSION

Special Dispatch to THE NEW YoRx HERALD.
New York Herald Burean.
Washington. ID. c., July 20.
Plans for the priority movement OF
coal from non-union mines and from
producing union mines were worked
out to-day in conferences between
Cabinet members and the Interstate
Commerce Commission. The commis-
sion can largely direct coal shipments
through it's power over the railroads
where interstate shipments are con-
cerned
Administration officials are convinced
that the country will be gripped by
coal famine this winter. The extent
or the famine depends upon the rapid
ity with which coal mining is resumed.
President Harding received a mes.
sage from Gov. Groesbeck of Michigan
proposing that the State take over the
coal mines and asking Federal sup
port and cooperation. No answer has
yet been sent.
While no official statement was made
on the Michigan proposal. 1t is UNDER
stood the Administration will welcome
this form of State action. II is re-
garded as possible that all of the coal
producing States may be asked to take
action on their own initiative to oper-
ate the mines and settle the strike.
The States have ample powers.
Attorney General Daugherty is au-
thority for the statement. however, that
the powers OF the Federal Government
are ample for this purpose. are superior
to those Of the States or of any set of
individuals and can be exercised in any
emergency threatening the whole people.
Troops Ordered Ready.
Late to-day Il was announced that
Gov. Davis of Ohio had ordered National
Guard troops mobilized' to proceed at
once into coal mining districts OF his
State, ana tnat State troops had been
ordered out by Gov. Sproul for duty in
western Pennsylvania bituminous coal
fields
President Lewis of the United Mine
Workers went to New York this after
noon. Before departure he declared that
IL Michigan took over the mines and
attempted to operate them IL would find.
just as any other employer. that It
would have to negotiate with the United
Mine Workers before the union men
went back to work.
President Harding is waiting not only
upon responses to his message to the
Governors. but on the effect upon coal
production. Detailed reports as TO op-
erations have not been received in an
official quarter in Washington. although
scattering reports OF Increased produce
tion have come to the White House and
10 the Commerce and Justice depart
ments. They were not made public.
The White House. IL is understood.
believes that it will be many days before
the effectiveness of the Presidents in
vitaton for resumed operations and full
protection can be gauged.
President Harding tonight indicated
that he would appoint a commission TO
investigate all phases of the coal mining
industry and to act as an agency to
settle all questions which may arise
one which would represent and take
care OF the public interest The White
House made public letter from Gov.
Sproul of Pennsylvania expressing go
hope that the President was r1iy
Withholding the appointme- conn
mission. The Presider' eerh
The commlssic wa mo N diys
time"
letter. t,rehsnseS. p,
Gov. Sprouts Letter ars tne rrcst-
dents reply follow
"The President:
II wish to repor. stror public senti-
ment supporting ul invitation TO
operators and miners TO resume produc-
ton. l trust, however. that you are
merely Withholding the appointment of
your commission long enough TO deter
mine whether satisfactory production
will result. II this does not occur with
in a reasonable time ! respectfully urge
the prompt creation Of your commission
either as originally proposed or in modi-
fled form. II voluntary production fails
Pennsylvania will welcome exercise by
you OF full executive authority Mean
while renew my pledge of hearty CO.
operation
"(signcd) WILLIAM c. sFnouf~
Governor OF Pennsylvania"
"To Coz. witiop, c. sproui, Harrisburg,
Pa:
Your telegram relating TO appoint
ment Of coal commission. notwithstand-
ing mine workers and "a minority OF
mine operators declined to accept such
an arbitration. is received. Matters
are temporarily on suspension, because
when arbitration was denied there was
but one consistent thing TO do. as I
saw IL, and that was to invite produce
tion. You may expect the selection OF
commission because American well
fare will not permit those who assume
to serve II TO deny for any reason tho
supply of such necessity as fuel and
thereby jcopardizo. American life and
health and happiness. Moreover. there