Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-22

Washington. July 21.-lBy The As
sociated Press THE government is
prepared to stand pat" for q period
of 10 days to two weeks in its atti-
tude toward the coal strike. it was in
dicated Friday. in order to ascertain
whether sufficient production will be
obtained through the reopening of
bituminous mines under guarantee of
federal protection to assure the fuel
requirements of essential industries.
In the meaf1time, however, plans for
distribution of the curtailed supply of
coal are to be pushed, it was said.
Secretary Hoover announced Friday
night that he had called a meeting here
next Monday of repre- Dantatives of pro-
ducing districts in Pennsylvania, West
Virginia. Tennessee. Kentucky. Ala
bama and Virginia to discuss the pro
posed "rationing" plan and to formu-
late policy designed to restrain
profiteering.
Situation DeadIocked
While all three parties to the recent
conferences in Washington-the gov
ernment. operators and union-seemed
satisfied that the situation, as it now
stands, was hopelessly deadlocked. a
the coal fields was seen in the reso-
luton introduced in the senate Friday
by Senator King. democrat. Utah, who
proposed creation of commission of
five to investigate both sides of the
and report its findings.
No provision was made in the resolu-
ton for enforcing the findings made
by the commission, but Mr. King ex-
pressed the opinion that such a body.
set up by positive legislation. would
have more authority than did the con-
ference requested by the president.
Two Weeks to Contemplate
A survey of remaining coal stocks
was said to have convinced admins
tration officials that these were suffi
rient to permit fortnight of waiting
10 develop the response to the presi-
lential Invitation to the operators
10 resume operation without adding
lnduly to the danger of an industrial
shut down through lack of fuel
Secretary Hoover's program for
emergency distribution was said TO con-
emplate the organization of central
committee here which would act !
through local committees in the prin |
,ipal coal producing sections.
Plans have been formulated" Mr.. |
t00ver SalQ, TOT cooperation or the /
department of commerce, the interstate |
commerce commission and the depart |
nent of justice by which, with the CO.
'peration of responsible operators. the
ontrol of price and distribution can be
ffected. The plan is now before the !
department. of justice for it's considera-
ion. 1t involves the pooling of coal !
n each district and the distribution of
ars under the authority and direction
f the government, with the co-opera-
ion of the operators committees
Investigate Power to Act
Power of the government to act
through the interstate commerce com
Mission under the interstate commerce
CT, was understood to be the legal
oint before the justice department.
'hich is the effective force of the ad-
emergency coal scheme.
With the coal in each producing dis
rict pooled. it was believed that the
entral committee could direct the dis
ribution of fuel to needy points I
hrough the assignment of ears and
ould facilitate coal movement by pri-
rity orders from the interstate COM
lerce commission, while mt the same
me keeping n check on undue price
dvances. Il
There were strong indications in ad
circles Friday night that
ne government expected to rely on
he distribution of coal being produced
the non union fields to supply the
ailroads and necessary consumers dur
lg the emergency.