Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-07-29
II. B. Spencer Named
Coal Administrator
By The President
Former Vice President of Southern Railway And Gen-
era Purchasing Agent of Railroad Admin
istratOn During The War

Washington, July 29.-While high
officials at the White House stated
positively yesterday that although
there might be some hardships this
winter there would be sufficient coal
for necessities, Secretary Hoover went
ahead with the completion of his ma
chinery for making the best use of
current supplies of coal, under the
priority regulations of the Inter
state Commerce Commission
He announced that the President
had appointed Henry B. SpenceS TO
be the temporary Federal Coal Ad-
ministrator Mr.. Spencer becomes the
fifth member Of the Presidential coal
distribution committee. Inc OtherS'
named several days ago, are Secre.ar-
les Hoover and Fall, Attorney-Geh-
eral Daugherty and Interstate Coih-
merce Commissioner Aitchson.
A fifth place was left for a man
with practical experience In the m
terwoven problem of coal ana ran
roads. Mr.. Spencer is q former wee
president of the Southern Railway,
was general purchaing agent OF the
Railroad Administration during the
war. and had charge of national coal
distribution after the old Fuel Ad-
ministration was ended. Mr.. Hoover
had opportunity during the war days
to apDraise his work. =.
In the midst of these movements OF
officials there was continued specula-
tion today as TO the probability OF an
interstate Joint wage conference oe-
tween the United Mine Workers and
the operators. Miners continued to
claim that a group of operators, rep
resenting enough tonnage to do bust
ness with. were about to enter SUCH
conference.
Representative of the men who
dominated the operators groups dur
ing the Administrations efforts to
settle the strike insisted. that there
would be no interstate conference.
The belief is that a lively contest is
being waged within the operators
forces.
1t is evident, however, that the
Administration is not banking upon
m early settlement. Added TO the
work that Mr. Hoover is doing to
complete his machinery for the dis
tribution Of current supplies and Tor
increase of those supplies came add
tional information that the Admin
istration looks to the States to do
their part.
I'm announcing the appointment by
the President of Federal coal ad-
ninistrator and citing States, whose
governors have undertaken 70 provide
machinery for coal distribution and
To prevent profiteering, Secretary
Hoover made the following statement;
president Harding has appointed
Henry B. Spencer to act temporarily
rs Federal Coal Administrator pend
imp development of the situation tie
becomes administrative member ~
tho coal distribution committee.
MIR. Spencer was formerly vice
nresident of the Southern Railway;
general purchasing agent Of the Rail
1ood Administration during the war,
and had charge Of national coal DIS
tribution after the dissolution OF the
old fuel administration.
"The governors of the following
States have undertaken to erect the
necessary administration to control
profiteering and distribution of coal
within their States. ,,l.
"Qhio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan
Wisconsin, North Dakota, Minnesota
Maine. Massachusetts, New Hamp-
shire. Connecticut, Rhode Island, New
York. New Jersey. Maryland, Penn
svlyania. West Virginia, Iowa, Okla
boma, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee
and Louisiana. Kansas has already an
establishment under its Industrial
Court
The following have so far been de-
siguated as members of the advisory
committee of operators from the pro
ducing coal districts under the char
maaship of c. f. Bockus, of Virginia;
f. l.. Douglas, of Kentucky; George
:. Francis, of Pennsylvania; f, C.
Mahou. of Tennessee; ". j Magee'
and f. T. White. of West Virginia.
Also G.. =. futile, to advise as to Lake
and Northwest movement, and Le-
Baron ). Willard, to advise on bunker
and tdewater movement.