Imperial Valley press., 1922-08-19
CONGRESS OPPOSES COAL PRICE CURB
PLAN
TO SELL FUEL
!. STARTS FIGHT

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19.-Congress
today was disposed to deny President
Harding s request in his strike message
for a government coal agency to buy,
sell and distribute coal in interstate
commerce.
Powerful interests that have always
opposed any steps which appeared like
ly to be the forerunner of government
control and operation clearly indicated
that the president s suggestion would
be fought.
Riot Prevention Approved
Congress, according to careful sur
vey, will approve the other recommend
ations of the president. These include
coal commission to make complete
investigation of the situation in hope
of finding permanent solution for
the recurring mine strikes and legisla-
tion giving the federal government the
right to step in and punish those re.
sponsible for such outbreaks as the
recent Herrin, ILL.,, massacre by author
izing federal troops to protect the
treaty rights of aliens. Two Mexicans
were said to have been killed at Herrin.
The "coal' agency as Mr.. Hard
/
power than the coal commission. The
latter would be empowered only to in
vestigate and gather facts about the
coal industry as basis for legislation
or for the fixing of fair basis Of
wages.
The "agency,' it was pointed out,
would put the government actually into
the coal business. Government money
would be employed to buy and sell coal.
In fact gigantic pool to control
prices would be created.
Harding. Accepts Borah Bill
President Harding today notified
Senator Borah of his acceptance of
Borah s coal commission bill as carry.
ing out his recommendations yesterday
for such legislation.
Harding said he wished to discuss
with Borah amendments to the bill 70.
lating to the size and personnel of the
commission.
The two probably will confer on the
question next week.
9QSIs uI ausmsIa9sS doQs
NEW YORK, Aug. 19.-Settiement
of the railroad shopmen IS strike is in
sight today.
Tentative proposals, including a
compromise on the seniority questions
which are understood to have been
drawn up at the meeting of executives
and brotherhood chiefs, late yesterday,
were submitted to Bert M. Jewell, re-
preventative of the strikers, here late
last night.
The proposals will be put before q
full meeting of the railroad executives
next week. After both sides have
gone over them, their acceptance or
rejection will be laid before the joint
committee of executives and brother.
hood chiefs.
Uuder the plan reported evolved, the
men would return to work under a
gentleman s agreement by the carriers
that the seniority question would be
handled in manner fair to the
strikers. The strikers would return
at the reduced pay ordered by the
United States railroad labor board
which precipitated the strike. The
board, however, would be appealed to
and the matter of wage adjustment
would be reopened.
Thus neither side will win cleancut
victory but the strike will in all prob.
ability be settled in way considered
honorable to both sides.
Settled on Santa Fe Road
Los ANGELES, Aug. 19.-Strike of
brotherhood men on the Santa Fe sys.
tenn has been settled, according to brief
word received at the general offices
here today. Train crews that have been
out for over week will return, follow
ing agreements reached with brother.
hood leaders at Needles Calf. Selip.