The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-09-02
roo HOT FOR
EXECUTIVES
TO HANDLE

s-N-As~ 49, ~ -
Continue to Side
step the S t j k e
ouble
Washington, Aug. % eBy the
Associated Pressl Proposals for
government operation of rail and
coal properties we're put aside, at
least for the present, today and
administration leaders both in and
out of congress centered their ef-
forts instead upon less drastic
measures TO meet the sndustr1al
emergency
With the return to Washington
Of President Harding after an oyer
SUNDAY conference with some OF
his principal advisers on board the
yacht Afayilower it became appar-
aent that no step toward govern
ment operation was TO become "a
part of the present administration
program.
Not only was it revealed that the
president himself was not disposed
dennifely TO ask for congressional
authority TO take over the prop-
critics involved il. the strike situa-
ton. but it was made known also
that an Influential group Of lead
eEs In the senate and house had
taken position which would make
passage of the authorizing legisla-
ton extremely difficuit.
Bills Reported Out.
Meantime committees in both
branches OF congress reported out
for passage later in the week bills
recommended by the administra-
ton 60 strengthen its hands in con-
trolling coai distriHution by cre-
afing federal fuel distributing
agency and by giving to the inter-
state commerce commission: broad
er powers over priority OF ship
ments. In the senate committee
action was taken after only short
discussion and with members re-
serving the right TO debate the
sneasure at length on the senate
floor. The house committee did
net vote its approval until it had
heard argument for the measure
by secrelss-y EoSTsf and Interstate
Commerce Commissioner Atchison,
END sone sharp criticism OF It's
price FIXING potentia alities from reps
resentatives Of both snployers and
labor In The industry
Y notwithstanding the. opposition
indicated, President Harding was
informed late IN the day by Re-
publican Leader Mondell that the
distribution measure would be
brodght into the house tomorrow
and passed before Wednesday
night. No such quick action was
il prospect in the senate, where
the legislative situation was more
complicated, but the leaders pre-
dicted that there would be favor
able action without very much de-
lay.
Cabinet Gives advice.
Several cabinet members. sena-
tors and other officials. including
secretary Hoover, Attorney Gem
eraI Daugherty and Chairman
Cummins of the senate interstate
commerce committee, aecompan-
led President Harding on the May
flower trip and are understood TO
have raken part in a prolonged
round table discussion Of admins
tration policies.
AS viewed by the Mayflower
conferees. the coal strike situation
both anthracite and bitnminous,
appeared In way TO solve itself
and insure increased production in
the very near future, leaving the
problem Of moving the product to
the consumer as the crux of the
whole effort to restore industrial
stability.
There was an intination that a
further curtailment of classes of
railroad service, such as passenger.
express and dispensable freight
traffic, in order to utilize motive
power and ears for fuel and food,
might be one Of the steps taken to
relieve that emergency.
In the anthracite field, reports
reaching the White House were so
reassurins that it was indicated an
agreement to insure reopening of
the mines was expected within a
very short tine. Secretary Davis
who represented President Harding
IN discussing settlement projects
with the anthracite miners and
operators in Philadelphia, made a
report to the president and al
though he was not willing to re-
veal its nature. Senator Pepper
(Republican) Of Pennsylvania.
who also participated in the Phila-
deIphia conferences, told inquirers
that he was certain an agreement
was only a question OF hours.