Evening journal., 1922-08-19
COMMISSION To
STUDY COAL soon
tcontInued trom rlrs. Paeel

CONTINUED from First Page)
Harding to deal with situations like
that at Herrin. III.
Senator Borah. who today receiv-
ed from Secretary OF Commerce
Hoover letter replying TO his re-
quest for HoOver's suggestions con-
cerning legislation 10 prevent prof
iteering In coal, said he would CON
fer with Hoover as soon as the sol
der bonus bill was out OF the way.
Senator Borah also expects 10 intro
duce -prohteering legislation.
President Harding's address to
! Congress on the strike situation was
praised in scores OF kilograms from
ali parts OF the country received at
the White House.
Interests that have always opposed
any step which appeared likely 10 be
the forerunner OF government con-
troll and operation. clearly indicated
that the Presidents suggestion would
be fought.
Congress, according 10 a careful
survey. viii approve the other recom-
mendations OF the President. These
include coal commission TO make a
complete investigation OF the indus.
try in the hope OF finding a perma-
nent solution for the recurring mine
strikes. and legislation giving the
Federal Government the right to step
in and punish those responsible for
such outbreaks. as the recent Illinois
massacre by authorizing Federal
courts TO protect the treaty rights OF
aliens.
Two Mexicans were said TO have
been killed at Herrin.
The "coal agency" as Mr. Harding
called il. would have much greater
power than the coal commission. The
latter would be empowered only 20
investigate and gather facts about
the coal industry as a basis for leg
islatlon or for the fixing OF a fair
basis OF wages But the agency" u
was pointed out. would put the gov
ernment actually into the coal busi- |
ness Government money would be
employed and sell coal under the |
Presidents suggestion. In fact a ]
gigantic coal pool to control prices ]
would be created. Members OF the |
farm blocs in both bodies. and in /
fact. all except few Senators and /
Representatives whose districts |
might expect immediate and direct |
benefit, expressed disapproval.
Members from northwestern states |
where the fuel situation is rapidly |
approaching the critical stage. are
willing TO vote for any legislation
that gives promise OF preventing a
fuel famine in their communities.
Little difficulty would be expert
enced in either house with the coal
commission bill. although It might
take considerable time TO get even
that through committees on account
Of the desire OF members TO get away
from Washington.
In the House, the Bland bill. Gre
ating such a commission. can be
acted upon at any time, 1t having
been reported early In the coal strike.
The Senate foreign relations COM
mittee is expected to report without
much delay, Senator Kellogg's bill
on Federal courts juris
diction TO protect aliens and thus
TO cope with situations like the re-
cent Herrin, H., massacre. when /
state authorities make no effort to
punish the guilty.
Senate leaders took the position I
that the House ought to initiate the .
strike legislation and indicated they
expected the Administration meas
ures to come from that quarter.
Senator Cummins. chairman of the
Interstate commerce committee. was
TO confer with Senator Borah, mead
of the labor committee. who has al
ready introduced a bill creating
coal commission with powers IKE
those requested by Harding. Borah
also may confer with Secretary
uoover on the details Of the pro-
posed coal purchasing agency hili.
An appeal went out from Repuoll-
can House leaders for the return OF
absent members 4 quorum OF the
House is not yet IN Washington and
only eight ont Of twenty-one mem
hers OF the Interstate Commerce
which must consider the
legislation suggested by the Presi-
dent. are here. Chairman Wnslow.
Mass. OF the Interstate Commerce
Is among the absentees.
Dut is expected back shortly.