The Washington herald., 1922-08-11
EARLY FINISH Seen
Rockefeller Influence to
Be Enlisted to Close
Controversy.
COMMITTEE PLANS
PRIORITY SYSTEM
Anthracite Committee Pc.
titiOns Harding for
Settlement.

Administration optimism over the
coal strike situation did not dimin-
ish yesterday.
Expectation that the strike
would be settled within a few days
was strengthened by encouraging
reports from the Cleveland confer
ence between the mine workers ex-
ecutives and independent Ohio. Penn
sylvania, Indiana and Illinois oper-
ators and the information that the
influence Of John d. Rockefeller. jr..
and his extensive coal mine inter-
ests were enlisted in the effort TO
end the controversy.
Administration officials and coo.
operators here were informed that
the Rockefeller coal interests OF the
East and Middle West embraced in
the Consolidation Coal Company,
one of the largest in the country,
were preparing to join in the set
uement with the miners at Cleve-
land. The prediction was mace
that this would pave the way for
a general settlement, which is being
quietly worked up by William A.
Glasgow. of Philadelphia. counsel
for the mine workers. and Ralph
Crews. of New York. who represents
a large group of operative inter-
ests, including the Rockefeller
holdings.
Production Could Begin.
With the group Of independents
now represented at Cleveland signeo
up, augmented by the Rockefeller
holdings. il was declared that coal
production on a big scale could be,
gin at once and that il would be
useless for other operators in the
central competitive field to hold out
longer. Negotiations. IL was de-
clared. still were going on bctweer
the Glasgow-Crews agents and re-
calcitrant operators in Illinois ana
Indiana with a view to enlisting
their support to the plan of settle
ment proposed.
That would continue last years
wage scale until next March, ex-
tending the check of system untu
that time. provide for a coal COM
mission to investigate and report
on the industry and suspend all con-
trorersy until next spring.
Some operators" here said they ex-
pected the Rockefeller interest.
would sign up within a few DAYS ana
predicted this would result in speed
ing up general settlement.
Transportation Considered.
The problem Of Transporting coal
supplies from Kentucky and the
Nirginias up the Great Lakes he
fore the suspension of navigation
Is being given serious attention by
the Federal fuel committee. A ten
tative figure of 100000 tons per
week has been agreed upon for i'm
mediate movement, but this figure
may be changed as the situation
may be reflected in the daily figures
on coal production and movement
Members of the Michigan State fuel
committee have been in conference
with Fuel Distributor Spencer re-
g2rding the acute fuel situation in
that State.
The problem of distributor OF
car supply between mines engaged
in the shipment of coal classified
under No. l priority and those shin
ping coal to public utilities ard
other consignees under previously
made contracts continues TO attract
the attention of the fuel committee.
While IL is desired to preserve in
tegrity of contract as far as pos
sible. the feeling Is that general
must in a measur take
secondary position to the meeting
of particularly urgent coal necessi-
ties created under an exiEency
which has arisen since such con-
Present Fuel Plans.
Present plans Of the fuel distri-
button committee are that orders
for No. coal shall so be distributed
as not to disturb seriously the
proper distribution of cars All
orders for coal considered to I've