The New York herald., 1922-08-27
Conference at white House.

taken this year. The party VIII return
TO Washington tomorrow.
Conference at White House.
In the afternoon the President con-
fer.ed at the White House with Sena-
tor Watson CInd) and, John L. Adams.
chairman of The Republican National
Committee. They discussed the coal and
railroad strike situations for half an
hour.
The President, il can be authorita-
lively stated, is disturbed and annoyed
by reports that lie intends TO take over
the railroads. Even In the event or
failure Of transportation he would seize
only those roads failing to perform
transportation service. IL is anticipated
that such roads would be the ones serV-
ing the coal mines
The Prestaen and his advisers are -
posed to putting the Government INTO
business and particularly 70 Government
operation of the railroars. 1t Is real
tzel that published reports OF an I'M
minent seizure Of the transportation
system might obstruct possible settle
nent. because the railroad unions are
committed to the Plumb plan for taking
over the roads by the Government.
It's conceived that the unions might
further obstruct settlement TO orinS Gov
ernment operation back
President Harding expects to make no
direct move in either the coal or ran
road strikes until the situation furtller
develops In the meantime legislation
and a general policy to meet any con-
tingency is prepared or being prepared.
Congress is ready to grant any pow
ers necessary to meet an emergency
and when the President calls for such
movers speedy action is probable
The Senate took up the Borah anti
rrofiteering bill as soon as 1t convene1
this morning. Senator Shields (Ienn.)
urged his amendment prohibiting the
appointment on the proposed United
States Coal Commission of any person
directly or indirectly interested In the
production transportation or sale OF
coal.
Reed Opposes Bill.
Senator Reed (Mo), who has repeat
edly opposed legislation to control the
coal mines. spoke at length against the
measure.
"The present BILL" he said, does not
undertake to deal with this emergency.
1t will not produce single ton OF coal
at TIE mine. 1t relates wholly to the
future 1t does not meet the difficulty
and might just as well be laid aside until
next November as ally other bill that
Know OF. W1ls we ought 10 10 " O-udN,
what the Administration ought TO lie
doing to-day, is to take the necessary
steps to open these mines tomorrow.
Investigation does not solve the diff
ficulties of the hour. 1t Is not going
to do any good at the present time. In
deed. I fear 1T will do harm, because 1t
will lead the public TO believe that some
thing is being done when nothing is
being done and will seem to indicate
that Congress proposes to dillydally with
this question"
Senator Reed then entered into de-
tailed discussion of the Hill and OBJ
1ected to many of it's features. He
ridiculed the idea of standardizing the
mines or standardizing days work.
He criticized miners and operators
for "quibbling" over matters fnconse-
quential as compared with the interests
OF all the people.
Senator Reed insisted Congress could
settle all questions as to control or
naturalization without any commission.
He thought the President could have
called in miners and operators and
effected settlement, using troops II
need be.
..If union labor" added Senator Reed,
proposes to freeze the people of the
United States to death through nation
wide combination then We've got TO
amend the antitrust law that excludes
labor combinations from 1t. say to
them as their friend that If they pursue
their course TO where they close the mills
aud freeze women and children, 1t will
con.e I trust II will never come but
II this occurs II will come as sure as
there's God in Heaven"
He warned union labor that II was in
danger OF destroying itself by holding
back n settlement of the coal strike a
tner gtrf
He said he stood ready to vote for a
law that would open these mines, that
he said this as a good friend of labor.
and he knew that was the feeling OF
other Senators.
This BILL" said he. ''is a bottle OF
soothing syrup that is not to take ef-
feet until five months from now.
Senator Townsend of Michigan de-
clared his support for the Borah bill Tor
an investigative commission. He said
he was glad not only to support this
measure but to support the best reason
able legislation that could be obtained
to meet the critical coal situation.
With respect to the proposed coal COM
mission. Senator Townsend said its ef-
fectiveness would depend on the per-
sonnel.
THE findings of the commission, he
said. must command the respect OF both
canItal and labor. The Government
should insist that men who want to work
shall work"
states Must Act.
genator Townsend held that the main
measures OF relief to the public in the
pending crisis must be taken by the
State governments.
Senator Stanley (Kan.) opposed the
Rorah bill as not necessary and nvolv-
ing a useless expenditure OF money lie
spoke at length to show the Government
had all the coal data necessary.
"it viii Inevitably delay, If II does
not prevent. the end designed" said SEN
ntor Stanley.
Senator Stanley declared that imme-
diately 4 Government inquiry was
started both sides would cease efforts
toward settlement = await the report
OF the commission and the situation
would be aggravated. He said the
miners wanted naturalization OF the
mines and would struggle for II the
minute an inquiry IN naturalization was
started
Senator Borah challenged the state
'nent that the mine workers now wanted
naturalization. He quoted John l..
Lewis as authority for the statement
that sentiment had changed. Senator
Stanley rctorted that action and not
more laws were needed.
what we need" he said. "is an Elk
ecutive with a backbone to enforce the
existing laws. Give me President like