South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-23
CONGRESS PREPARES
TO RUSH THROUGH
COAL LEGISLATION
Two Bills to Be introduced
TOday-Hoosier May Lead
Fight in House.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 22.-CBy A.
P)-Congress was ready tonight 70
rush through its first stage tomOr-
row bill recommended by the pres
ident for creation Of a federal com
mission TO get all the facts relating
TO the coal industry and on which
miners and operators would not be
represented.
Two bills, slightly different in
some essential provisions were re-
ported-One TO the senate and the
other 70 the house The WinslOw
measure. introduced Monday. VIII
I be taken up by the house tomorrow
under a special rule giving II the
right OF way. There was an init
nation that the Borah commission
| bill. ordered reported to the senate
/ by its labor committee OF which
| Sen. Borah IS chairman. might also
be called up tomorrow, but there
was a possibility that the senate
would delay consideration until the
house had acted.
While the general view was that
the house would pass the Winslow
/ hill by a wide margin Of votes, there
were rumblings OF an impending
fight to be led by Rep. Bland. re-
| publican, Indiana, author OF a fact
/ finding commission bill, now on the
house calendar. which stipulates that
/ both miners and operators shall
| have equal representation on the
| commission.
White House View.
An authorized spokesman Of the
! administration declared at the white
house during the day, however. that
| the president was opposed TO com
mission composed in part OF mine
owners and miners. The Winslow
! bill would make them ineligible for
membership but the Borah measure
would leave their selection TO the
! president.
( Advised of the stand Of the presi-
dent and the committees. John L
! Lewis. president OF the United Mine
Workers. took a hand in the con-
troversy IN a telegram from Phil
adelphia 10 Rep. Bland Mr. Lewis
declared that the Cleveland confer
ence provided for equal representa-
ton on an investigating commission
and If the federal government pro-
posed 10 disregard their rights and
| privileges in making an independent
inquiry responsibility viii lie with
] those who recommend such action
Meanwhile work proceeded or
the draft Of emergency legislation 10
I control coal prices and 10 provide
. for equitable distribution of fuel
Word reached house leaders that the
bin would be submitted tomorrow 70
I the president for approval by the
central coal committee, OF which
Sec'y Hoover Is chairman As ex
planned by Sec'y Fall, a member oil
the commission, two plans we're pro
posed, one giving added powers q
the Interstate Commerce commits
sion 20 enable il 20 use its au
thority for ALLEGATION OF coal cars az
a means OF holding operators TO faii
prices. The other. IL was stated
would follow the suggestions OF tbt
president for the Use OF funds by q
specially created agency 20 abiLz'
coal prices. Members OF the house
interstate commerce committee, q
which the bill VIII be PRESENTED
! said. however. that IL would contain
no provision FOR any government
lagencv 10 buy or sell coal
The WinslOw Bill.
The WinsloW BILL as finally re
drafted provides for a commissior
OF not more than nine members, 20 b
APPOINTED by the president with th'
advice and consent OF the senate
The commission would elect It's owr
chairman. make its first report Jan
/ next. and continue IN life for one
wear only. A new section stipulatei
that mo person shall be prosecuted
, or subjected 70 any penalty or for
fixture for or on account OF an
Transaction. matter or thing, con
} corning which he may be compellet
20 testify or TO produce evidence
documentary or otherwise before ~
commission"
The Borah bill proposes a mem
bership OF FIVE. and there were re
rorts tonight that the house Nigh
cut II 70 that number since the mine
J ou,ners and miners would be denies
representatlon. without a recOr'