The New York herald., 1922-07-28
STATES. PLEDGE AID
FOR COAL PRIORITY
Governors and Public Service
Commissions Promise to
Do Utmost.
BREAK IN STRIKE SEEN
Peace Moves in Central Com
petitive Fields Considered
Significant.
BREAK IN STRIKE seen
Special Dispatch to THE NEw YonK HERALD
New York Herald Rurenu !

Special Dispatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C.. July "a.
Full cooperation Of Stale Utility
Commissions and Governors in the
Federal Government plans for priority
movements of coal and the checking OF
any efforts at profiteering was pledged
to-day in messages received from the
States.
Commissioner Aitchison of the In
terstate Commerce Commission, a
member of the Presidents coal COM
mittee, received replies to-day from
practically all the states 10 his meg
sage of yesterday asking II the COM
mission could depend upon full CO.
operation in the enforcement of pri-
ority orders. They were without ex-
ception favorable.
Replies from the state Governors to
Secretary Hoover, chairman of the
committee, asking cooperation in pre-
venting profiteering in coal after the
supplies reached the States, were
slower in coming in. but those re-
ceived were favorable.
Secretary Hoover and his committee
devoted practically every hour OF the
day to organization of the State and
national bodies for the distribution of
coal and enforcement OF the general pro-
gram of distribution.
Name Chairman To-day.
Announcement will be made probably
tomorrow of the permanent chairman
OF the Presidents coal committee. The
name is expected to be that of prom
inent business man who is familiar with
The work which Will be required. Sub
committees in all of the Government de-
partments will probably be appointed to-
morrow. While the Government has
been active in plans for coal distrbu-
tion and for a securing OF maximum
supply under strike conditions, Admin
istratio leaders are confident to-day or
a break in the situation which will bring
an early resumption of work by the
union men. Close watch has been kept
upon the exchanges back and forth sbe-
tween John l.. Lewis, president OF the
United Mine Workers. and other leaders
on the one hand. and operators OF the
central competitive field on the other.
The central competitive field has all
WAYS furnished the basis for settlement
OF mine wages and working conditions.
Lewis has held out against district
agreements, but Washington officials
are convinced that the exchanges UNI
der way are not without significance
and that any agreement reached VIII
lead to a return to work by the miners
pending direct negotiations between the
operators and the leaders of the United
Mine Workers.
Pittsburgh situation watched.
The coal mine situation Is parallel to
that on the railroads. Some of the
operators wish a settlement. while
others are Indifferent or opposed. A
settlement In one district. however.
would practically compel resumption
OF operations In the others. Informa-
tion in the hands OF officials here is to
the effect that the Pittsburgh district
operators arc Arm In their declination
TO enter any interstate agreement with
the mine workers. Il Is realized tnat
Lewis and other leaders Will not take
any action which might entail a break
In their national organization. This
situation may prolong negotiations, but
Government leaders are confident that
some form Of settlement will be speed
lily reached.
In the meantime every effort Is 60 be
made to secure sufficient coal to meet
imperative public needs under the Pres
ident's announced program and his In
vitation TO the operators to resume un-