New-York tribune., 1922-08-27
Harding Confers With
Advisers on Mayhower;
Still Looks for Mine
Peace i'm a Few Days
Hoover Is Opposed
To Drastic Action
Talk of Taking Over Prop
critics Regarded as Test
of Public Sentiment

By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26.-Oper-
alton Of the anthracite coal mines by
the government in the event that
there is no speedy settlement of that
controversy is being earnestly dis
cussed by the President with Seere-
taries Hoover and Fall, Attorney
General Daugherty and Senator'S
Kellogg and Cunmins on a weekend
party on the Mayfower.
Despite many intiinations to the
contrary, it is the firm conviction of
most observers here that neither the
anthracite mines nor the railroads
will be taken over by the government
in this emergency. Incidentally,
Secretary Hoover is known to be
strongly opposed to it, and his argu-
ments are so potent in round table
conferences as to make it almost
proverb here that what he believes
will prevail.
Popular Reaction Tested
There are many other intimations
to the effect that the publicity given
to the idea of taking over the anthra-
cite mines and perhaps some of the
railroads after the White House
conference yesterday was given out
purely to test out public sentiment.
The Administration, it was said in
a well informed quarter to-day,
wished to find out what would be the
reactions of the miners and opera
tors. and also of the shopmen and tha
railroad executives, to such an idea.
The President still believes that the
anthracite situation will be settled in
few days, hanging as it does not on
any question of pay or hours or work
ing conditions, but merely on the
length of time the next contract will
last, the miners insisting that it should
go to 1924 and the operators being
anxious to pledge present prices and
wages only to 1923.
Senator Cummins, of Iowa. Chairman
Of the Senate Interstate Commences
Committee, who is in constant touch
with the President on both the coal
and railroad questions, said again to-
day that he Was prepared soon to in
troduce bill to empower the govern
ment to take over the mines.
Cummins Calls Crisis Grave
Unless the hard scoal strike is set
tied IN very few days." said Senator
Cummlns, Il shall introduce bill Civ
ing the President power to take the I
mines over. The situation is becoming
grave and unless there is quick SET
tiement the government must act"
Senator Cummins said the coal bill
was drawn, as well as q bill to em-
power the President to take over the
roads. He added that whether he pre-
sented the railroad bill would depend
on whether the roads could move the
traffic.
That will develop in g short time,n
said Senator Cummins. "If some Of
the roads cannot move the traffic the
government will have to take them
over"
If the government takes over the
mines it will take over the use Of
them, rather than title to the prop-
erty. This statement was made by
senator Watson, of Indiana, who COM
ferred with the President, and it is the
view Of Senator Cummins that this
should be done. elf possible, arrange
ments would be made by the govern
mens Wltn the owners as to the terms.
Watson Protests Seizure
Senator Watson, accompanied ~
John T Adams, chairman ef the Na-
tional Republican Committee. won't is
the White House early this morning ID
protest against the government taking
over the railroads. They represented
that the roads were operating fairly
we'll and it was not necessary. On re-
turning to the Senate Senator Watson
said the President did not contempiata
taking over the roads at this time.
Senator Watson indicated there was
hope for early settleMent of the an
thraclte strike, but If it was not settled
then the President was DISPOSED to
take over the use of the mines.
It is Senator Watson's view that IL
1T becomes necessary Tor the govern.
ment to take over q few roads to move
coal this is likely to be done BY re-
ceiverships.
Senator Lenroot in a statement d.
ciared that, If necessary, Congress
SssS ~ - AlivNA1} tiiS SluIntXIa+iSH iAWS "a
admit alien coal miners and that fhis
should be done unless the miners soon
return to work.
The Senate discussed the Borah coal
investigation bill at length TO-DAY and
the Senate Interstate Commerce Com
mittee considered the Cummins bill to
prevent protitasring In coal, but with
out coming to decision. The Borah
Dill encountered opposition and did not
reach 8 vote.
Delay Ii Action Forecast
The prolonged nsture os the debate
on the Borah bill to-day raised Sha
question whether any coal legislation
can be put through without much de-
lay. Senator McCumber did not press
ffle soldiers bonus bill in order to per-
nit The Rorah bill to be disposea a.
Ths Borah bill, however, finally was
laid aside For the bonus. In this con-
nection Senator Borah warned the Sen.
ate Congress did not dare adjourn
until nassdnd sNol 1oe~f o3a+s~.> E-I-v