The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-09-02
SAY REAL CRIJX
OF TROUBLE IS
LACK OF TRAINS
No Action Taken On Bill So Far
And Consideration Will Likely
Be Resumed Today. l..
WANT STEPS TAKEN
ABOUT RAIL STRIKE
Underwood And Reed Argue
That Bill Will Not Prevent
PrOfiteering In Coal Prices.

| WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-Vigorous op-
I position to the administration anti-profit-
! eering coal bill was voiced today in the
senate. Democratic leaders declared II
begged the question; that the real crux
| of the coal situation was a lack of rail-
| road motive power and that the govern
ment should take immediate steps to re-
lisve the condition growing out of the rail
| strike. No action was taken on the. bill
today and consideration is expected to
be resumed tomorrow.
Chairman Cummlns, of the interstate
| commerce committee, in charge Of the
bill, and other Republicans agreed that
the condition Of some of the carriers was
serious and Mr.. Cunnming expressed the
opinion that government control might
prove the only remedy. His judgment
was that II would take six months for
the roads to repair their equipment so az
to move traffic TO full capacity so that
even with a speedy settlement OF the
strike there was bound to be a shortage
Of equipment in the next few months
Urge Legislation.
Senator Underwood, the Democratic
leader, urged enactment at this session
of legislation that would meet the rail
strike situation. Chairman Cunnina con-
tended that It would be worse than fu-
tile" to undertake. to engage the aten-
ton of congress on such legislation at
this time. but Senator Underwood argued
that this was the time to act, as public
sentiment might be stronger for such
legislation now than later.
The chairman gave notice that at the
next session he would propose legislation
that would make unlawful strikes In all
Industries where the government under
took to establish Justice in disputes.
Rail Act eliminated.
The minority leader recalled that the
senate provision in the transportation act
designed to prevent rail strikes hAd been
eliminated in the conference between the
house and senate. Senator Cummins re-
piled that the senate conferees held out
for two months for the provision and
yielded finally only after information had
reached them that a bin containing such
a provision would be vetoed by President
Wilson. He added that this information
came indirectly, but through what was
regarded as reliable sources.
Senator Underwood and Senator Reed.
Democrat. Missouri, argued that the
pending bill would not prevent profiteer-
Ing and that the interstate commerce
commission had all of the authority now
over the priority in the movement Of coal
that was proposed Senator Borah, Re
publican, Idaho, interrupted to express
the opinion that unless state legislatures
enacted legislation to control conditions
in their states the people would be very
greatly disappointed in the operation Of
the measure.
Keep Down Coal Prices.
Senator Cummins and other RepubIi-
cans insisted that the bill would help to
keep down coal prices. The Iowa sena-
tor said people in his and other north
west states were having to pay ga a ton
for coal at this time and that he wanted
legislation that would relieve such a con-
dition.
Taking the position that IL coal were
delivered in quantity the price situation
would take care of itself, Senator Reed
that the real trouble was lack
Of cars and locomotives.