Evening star., 1922-06-10
Massachusetts Senator De-
Clares Hoover Must Act
Quickly.
INDICTMENTS LIKELY
IF OPERATORS GUILTY
Statement Follows Conference Of
Borah With Commerce Secre-
tary Last Night.

Senator Walsh, democrat. Massachu-
setts, in a statement today DECLARED
that congressional investigation
would be made and Indictment of bi-
luminous coal operators who have
used the Hoover price fixing agree
ment to raise prices would be de-
manded unless Secretary Hoover OBJ
tains reduction of prices on contract
coal lin few days
The Massachusetts senator talked
today with Senator Borah of Idaho.
chairman of the Senate labor com
mittee, regarding the latter's confer
ence last night with Secretary Hoover
and announced that he would support
Senator Borah in Withholding action
for brief time to await results OF
the Commerce Secretary promised
conferences with operators to secure
price reductions. Senator Walsh add
ed that If Secretary Hoover does not
prevent price increases, the com
mittee would proceed with an investi-
cation. If this discloses that opera
tors have under the Hoover agreement
raised prices for contract coal, Sena-
tor Walsh said the Attorney Gen
eral would be asked to indict suc1
operators for conspiracy.
Basic Difference Seen.
Senator Walsh said the conference
between Senator Borah and Secretary
Hoover had developed basic dn-
ference between the two on question
of whether there had actually been
an increase since Mr.. Hoover's price
fixing on May go
make readjustment," said Senator
Walsh land If increases were found
he would seek to have the price re-
stored to what it WAS before that
time. If it is found there has been
no increase. of course, that phase oi
the investigation will end.
in view of the reluctance OF MT.
| Hoover to admit that there has been
advance in prices TO certain classes
| of customers not in the spot market.
| it is apparent that an official nnaing
| of fact must be done. IL MIR. Hoover
| is no, able within few days to con-
| vince Senator Borah and others, wha
are protesting that there has been an
! increase since May 80. then an Inv
| yestigation will be made by the COM
mittee.
tee is-.what were the coal prices be-
fore May 80 and what were the prices
after May 30
Indictments May BE Asked.
eff il is found that the Hoover
agreement resulted in increasing con-
tract prices and if these are not re-
duced, then the Hoover agreement
has failed in large part and has oeen
used as not to hold down prices ou1
as a license to increase them. ana
the Attorney General then viii be
| .sked TO indict those who have Joined
| in the agreement TO increase prices
| senator Walsh's statement today
folIowad "A conference last night De-
! tween Secretary Hoover ana senator
| Borah, chairman OF the coinihittee on
| education and labor, at Which sehatoI
Borah also declared that pronteei ins
| by coal operators and retail oealefs
/ following the esta blishment OF a pasle
| nrice scale arranged by secretary
| Hoover would be the basis OF con-
| eressional investigation.
! The Secretary OF Commetce ss,l
| SENATOR Borah that everything possi-
| HE would be done to safeguard the
| nublic from profiteering in any iulurs
| arraneementS with the Operators anu
dealers. and Senator Borah agreed 10
withhold an investigation pehoihs d"
outcome of the negotiations
| No Government Action.
1t was said. at the conference
which was held at Senator borah
residence at the instance of the Com
merce Secretary. the question OF gov
ernmental action for bringing aboug
a settlement of the strike was not
discussed.
The subjects discussed between sec
retary Hoover and Senator Borah We're
| said to have been the price agree
mtnts negotiated through MI;
| Hoover and possible congressman
action. including legislat ton. 1t was
said that Senator Borah had no oe-
sire to interfere with Mr.. Hoovera
nrice negotiations so long as thes
we're not made the means for charg
ing excessive prices. But it was saie
Senator Borah had questioned the
legality of the Hoover price agree
ments. .
Secretary to Proceed.
! II was understood that Mr.. Hoover
would proceed forthwith to secure an
adjustment of prices based on maxi
MIN price of $3.50 ton. and also 10
take steps to prevent operators from
charging unreasonable prices. to re-