The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-27

SSPAts the apparent dehQiOcK IN both the rail and anthracite strikes, the president is described as still confident way will be found to Erotect the interests of the general public without resort to govern mental direction in both industries.
 In the meantime, however, Mir. Harding is said to consider it ad- visable that if Congress Is to re- cess 1t first, clearly define his pow- CTS, and legislation looking to that end is being prepared.
 This policy of prepar edness, emerr- ing from another day of inquiry and consultation by administration of- ficials was received with approval by majority leaders in Congress, but was followed by evidences of reluctance among others to go further than is provided in the industrial investi- gation and control legislation already pending in both houses
 Would Enact Measure.
 All the emergency measures in- troduced with administration back ing would be enacted into law. Their plans for bringing the government operation authorization into the gen eral progress of strike Legislation at the beginning of next week were not complete. however. and it was indicated that further consultation would be necessary to whip the whole scheme into shape. In the Senate the Borah bill for fact finding commission in the coal in- dustry, similar to one already passed by the House. met with such pro- longed attacks that 1t finally was agreed to lay 1t aside entirely un- til vote has been taken on the bonus bill, probably late Tuesday. Provision in tho measure for an in- quiry into the advisability of na- tionalising the industry was one of the features against which the most stubborn opposition was directed.
 Consideration Postponed
 Meantime in the Senate interstate commerce committee, 8 second ad- ministration measure proposing to create a coal distribution agency and to extend the authority of the inter- state commerce commission over pri- crity of shipments failed of the im- mediate approval hoped for by the republican leaders and further con sideration was postponed until Mon- cay with some members intimating that comprehensive hearing would be insisted on before vote was taken.
 A coal distribution and priority bill of similar character to that under consideration by the Senate committee was presented in the House during the day by Chairman Winslow of the interstate commerce. committee but nfter a long discus sion among committee members It was decided that hearing on this measure also would be held on Mon day. It was agreed that report should be made before adjournment Monday night with a view to con- sideration Or the bill in the House Tuesday.
 With attention occupied by there measures and by consultations over the government operation proposals to be submitted later, President Harding's recommendation for ere ation of a federal agency to buy and sell coal vanished.
 .Cummins Prepares Bill
 A bill authorizing the President to take over individual railroads which do not adequately perform their functions is understood to have been prepared by Chairman Cummins of the Senate interstate commerce com mittee. and he indicated today that it might be presented Monday or Tuesday along with similar meas ure dealing with the coal mines. He and other Senate leaders professed confidence that early approval of the authorization was assured.
 In the House, however, the ma jority managers did not appear so confident.
 The Presidents attitude toward government operation of industries crippled by strikes was made known after he had talked over with other administration and party leaders the plan discussed at last nights White House, conference In which Attorney General Dkugherty and Chairman Cummins took part. After this meet- ing Senator Cummins had predicted that unless thero was radical change In the industrial situation some of the roads and anthracite mines would pass into government hands without much delay.
 Today the President was visited by John T. Adams. chairman of the republican national committee, and Senator Watson. republican, Indiaua, after Senator Watson had discussed tne outiooh Tn toiephoHe coHVer- sation with T. Dewitt Cuyler, chair man of the Association of Railway Executives. The Indiana senator in- dicated afterward that the President felt certain of a settlement of the anthracite strike in the very near fu- ture, as a result of the latest peace efforts of the administration and had by no means become convinced that there must be resort to govern ment operation In the rail trouble.