New-York tribune., 1922-09-05
Hoover te, Seek
Concerted Plan
To Deliver Coal
Senate Action Rushed
Anti Profiteeris,g Bill TO
Pass at Once Unless No
Strike Clause Delays III

From The Trfbaiess Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.--secretary
Of Commerce Hoover will hold an early
conference in Philadelphia with anthra-
cite coal operators and miners on the
question of emergency coal distribution
and prices.
Secretary Hoover regards such
emergency distribution as vital in view
of the pressing demands for hard coal
from New England and New York. and
also the Northwestern states that OBJ
tain coal by way Of the Great Lakes.
To meet the emergency the purpose of
Secretary Hoover is to form an organ
ization similar to the organization which
was used for handling bituminous. The
plan is to give priority to householders
as far rs possible in order to assure
them coal for the winter, and especially
to- assure coal to those sections where
cold weather comes on before many
weeks.
Arrangements for the PHILADELPHIA
conference will be made as soon as
practicable
New Law Expected to Help
In the emergency distribution of
bituminous the fuel distribution
agency of the government was handi-
capped by lack of law. BY the time
the emergency organization is formed
for distribution of anthracite it is ex-
pected the Winslow- Cumnlills measure,
aimed at proiiteering, will be on the
statute books.
Unless the Cummins bill t6 prevent
prohteering in coal is tangled IN with
q controversy over the question Of anti
strike legislation, it's passage in the
Senate Tuesday or Wednesday is ex-
pected. Senator Cuinmins, chairman
of the Interstate Commerce Committee.
who is in charge of the bill, said he
hoped for its passage Tuesday after
noon or Wednesday at the latest.
a movement is on in the Senate,
however, to attach an anti strike
amendment applicable to the railroads
to the bill. Senator Underwood is dis
posed to force such an amendment. If
this issue is raised Senator Cunlnins
foresees long fight and fears it may
block the passage of the coal profiteer-
ing bill.
Senator Crmmins said to-day he did
not believe the prodteering bin srould
be complicated with the anti-strike
issue. He will endcavor to dissuadc
Senator Underwood or others who may
feel as he does from urging an anti
Strike amendment at this time.
Debate on the coal proSteerins meas
ure will be resumed soon after the
Senate convenes tomorrow, and some
"a inbers of the Senate arc prepared to
nut into the record ample evidence
tlsat profteering already is being prac-
los has many letters and kilograms
to show that excessive prices are being
charged.
Declares Prices Doubled
SenStor Cumnlins has evidence that
in the Middle West, in soYae localities,
the prices Of steam coal at the mine
have been doubled as compared with
a year ago.
Now that the hard coal strike is set
tied, the Borah coal commission bill
soon will be brought up again in the
Senate and effolt is will be made to shape
the measure so as to harmonlze with
the assurances given by Senator Pep
per to the hard coal miners, that there
will be a separate investigation Of the
anthracite situation and that it will go
into the question of wages.
The country's normal supply OF an
thracite is already short approximately
30,00Q,000 tons as a result of the five
months suspension, according to q
statement issued to-day by the coal
bureau of the Chamber of Commerce
of the United States.