Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-31
SENATE may JOIN .
! COAL STRIKE PROBE
Labor Committee Likely to Join
House in Effort to Bring
Factions Together
DAVIS BLAMES OPERATORS
BY the Associated Press

washington, March 3l.---The House
labor Committee already having con .
etdered without action proposal
that President Harding be asked
70 invite Representative Of the miners
and operators to meet here in Inst
minute attempt to avert the coal strike
there was some prospect that Il similar
proposal would be considered today by
the Labor Committee of the Senate.
Two resolutions proposing that the
aid OF the President he asked in an
e6ort to bring the con lending factions
together were considered BY the House
committee in executive session late yea
terday, but no action WAS taken. The
committee had previously received as
surance from John Moore. Of Columbus
O., legislative agent of the United Mine
Workers, that the miners represents.
tives would board the first train here
X invited to meet the operators.
Coal stocks will hold out for fifty one
days II the rate of consumption con
tinues on the January and February
basis, according to estimates given the
House Labor Committee today by the
Geological Survey.
In making this estimate +. g. Tryon.
Coal Statistician of the Survey. said
best avail able records showed the pres
ent stock in the hands OF consumers at
83, 600 900 tons. Some railroads ana
public utility concerns had larger stocks
than usual. he said. which would en-.
able them to operate for longer period.
The figure he gave, however. was the
average.
The committee adjourned until to-
morrow without any action. II had
been expected that operators would be
heard today. but 1t was stated they were
unable to appear.
Davis BIames Operators
Blame for bringing on the coal strike
was put squarely upon the operators
yesterday BY James. J. Davis. Sccrc-
tary of Labor. in Il statement review
ing his efforts to avert a suspension Of
work In that industry.
On the eve OF the impending strike in
the bituminous industry, which he said
was inevitable" Mr.. Davis did not
mince words. He frankly declared TINT
peace in that industry for two years
more, at least. had been blocked by the
refusal of certain operators TO meet
the miners.
In refusing to meet the miners ho
said. the operators had failed to fulfill
their obligation Of meeting in confer
ence and had turned their backs" on
chance to lay bare their reasons for
declining a new wage agreement. The
public and the miners are entitled to
know these reasons. he declared
"There may be faults on both sides
OF this bituminous dispute" Mr.. Davis
continued. but the side that openly
repudiates it's written and signed obl-
cations has crippled its case before the
bar OF public opinion
Anthracite Conference Cited
Mr.. Davis contrasted the situation in
the anthracite industry with the BIZ
3 luminous. While there may be sus-
pension in the anthracite fields. he said.
the fact that miners and operators are
meeting directly shows genuine de-
sire to agree.
This. he said, illustrates what thr
Government has sought all along in the
bituminous fields and emphasized the
fact that Washington has had no dis
position ''to force conditions upon en-
plOyers or employees
The last Government survey indicates
that on April l there will be about
10000. 900 tons of anthracite and by
products coke and $1,000 900 tons Of
bituminOus coal above ground.
This means that railroads, public
utilities. manufacturing industries and
retail dealers will have on hand Sat:
urday nearly two months supply"
Mr.. Davis concluded. ''The operators
state that production from non union
mines will meet at least 30 per cent
Of the normal needs of the country.
'The Administration will watch the
developments and be ready to safe
guard the public welfare whenever II is
menaced
'On the strength OF these faces.
declared Mr.. Davis. there viii be no
excuse for advance in coal prices II
: the price Is boosted in any locality, the
fact should he repOrt"d &c Washington
at once, for action by the Attorney
General. The public should not be
penali3ed to pay any enhanced price
for coal when there is no justification
for any increase.