New-York tribune., 1922-08-30
Balks
AT Hardillg,'s
Seizure Plan
CONTINUED from papa oas)

the President believes that this might
not be so satisfactory to the strikers,
since In no event would all the rail
roads be seized, but only the lines most
embarrassed by the effectiveness Of the
strike, so that the government inter
vention would actually have the effect
of depriving the strikers to just that
extent Of their power to cripple rail-
road operations
Discussing the White House state
ment this afternoon that the President
would like to have seizure authority for
use in case of an emergency, Republl-
can leader Mondell said:
"In my opinion the Congress is not
likely to tahr any action looking to
the taking over Of the mines or rail-
roads in time Of peace except in the
face and presence Of an emergency so
imminent and pressing that such action
would constitute the only way out.
II do not anticipate such an emer-
gency."
Senate Gets Cummins Bill
Declaring there is an exceedingly
grave coal situation, and that some
operators and many dealers are taking
advantage Of the opportunity for ex-
tortion, Senator Cummins, chairman
of the Interstate Commerce Committee,
reported the Administration ti-proht-
eering bill to the Senate to-day.
Senator Cunanlins submitted report
explaining the bill and stressing the
need of it. The purpose Of the
measure is to curb prohteering by en-
larging the powers of the Interstate
Commerce Commission over priorities
and embargoes and, virtually, to shut
f,ut Nf Yrnfif 49,.
and shippers of coal.
As soon as the bonus bill is out of
the way Senator Cunmins will at
tempt to get action on his bill. Sena-
tor Borah also will press his coal COM
mission bill, and the two may come
into conflict. Strong opposition to the
Cummins measure is certain.
Senator Lodge, who returned from
New England, represented the New
England coal famine as grave.
Following is the report of Senator
Cummins;
Section 2, which is the vital part
OF the biil, enlarges the authority of
the Interstate Commerce Commission
so that it may issue orders for nrinsi-
ties and for embargoes to preyent
upon the part of any person. mariner
snip, association or corporation the
purchase or sale of coal or other fual
at prices uniustiy Or nreasonab,n bs,
high VI . u
Makes Powers Definite
wIna order fully TO understand tbo
effect of this provision referenc 90
60 the existing law upon the subiect
VIII pc helpful; it may be found in
sectlon 4o2 Of the transportation act.
lS2o, or in the recent compilation Of
what is known as the Interstate con,
merce act, section /, paragraphs 70 To
~, inclusive. It may be that the law
as IT IS confers upon the conmissian
she power which section Of this Bill
explicitly grants, but the commission
or some Of it's members are in doubt
about 1T, and i the Congress believes
nat the commission ought to exercise
.ne power OF controlling the transpor-
Iation OF coal so as to prevent hoth
coal operators and coal dealers from,
exactlng excessive prices for coal there
ought to be no hesitation in clothing
!ne commission with undoubted aut hnr.
ity upon the subject
me present situation Is an excead Z
ihgiy grave one; at this time fhere l.
sharp coal shortage Of which soma
operators and many dealers are taking
advantage Inasmuch as the strike l., :,
most OF the bituminous coal fields has
'ss, D1en O1ought TO an end, the bituminous
coai production will constantly increase,
and II 1t could be assumed that tn.
raliroads could move promptly the coas
that will De mined it might be that uas ne
opportunity for extortion would shortly
oisappesr The fact is, however. tf,aif
some o. the railroads which carry 4
sasge part OF the coal traffic are by
reason OF the railroad strike unahla ~
move the coal that, is ACTUALLY ha;rn
produced TO the points Of destination,
ana therefore, unless the railrosds can
speedily increase their facilitier The s