New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-21

dial pledges from the executives Of
most coal producing states.
(signcd) WARREN G. HARDING"
Tightening it's grip on the coal stu
alton the government to-day began
preparations for an immediate control
of distribution. The foundations of
the plan which will divert shipments
to Great Lakes ports, the Northwest
and other places threatened with
acute emergency were laid at a confer
ence this afternoon between Secretary
of Commerce Hoover, the members Of
the Interstate Commerce Commission
and representatives of other Federal
departments involved. A part of the
policy has been worked out by the Ad-
mnistration and it's details will be an
nounced probably within forty-eight
hours, according to MIR. Hoover.
The Secretary also revealed that
official encouragement of coal impor-
tations will play large part in the
program for handling the situation.
About $4,000 tons of shipping already
has been engaged to bring over fuel
from British and Continental mines,
he announced. This transatlantic
movement, which has taken on real pro-
portions within the last few days, is
destined principally for the New Eng
land states, the other big emergency
section, and for the reserve piles of
shortage.
There has been no discussion of ra-
tioning, declared Mr.. Hoover, for the
country generally is not facing stage
demanding it. The question of full
maintenance Of interstate commerce is
the central factor in the development
of the Administrations policy, he said.
Priority Orders for Lake Coal
the present will be through priority
Lake Erie ports for shipment through
the Great Lakes. At least 100000
tons must be sent to Lake Superior
cities for transshipment, while be-
tween 100000 and 25,Oo0o0O must
be dumped on the shores OF Lake
Michigan before navigation closes in
December.
After to-day's meeting with the In
terstate Commerce Commission it was
stated that "there is nothing positive
yet" but that the Administration APP
preciates the situation fully and will
develop it's plans Immediately.
President Harding is watching close
ly, it was declared, for any signs of
price Jumping. Futly ~ per cent OF
the coal is moving under strict OBJ
servance Of the price agreements with
the Commerce Department and there
is no increase Of prices back of the
import movements. Quotations on de-
liveries at American ports ranged to-
day from $3.50 to SITS a ton.
All responsible operators, except
some in western Kentucky, who, it was
learned to-day, have boosted the price
at the mine to 81 on coal costing not
more than $3.50 to produce, are adher-
ing rigidly to the agreements.
The compliments from Kentucky
are principally from public utilities
of that state against their own oper-
ators. Under these circumstances the
Federal government feels that it is
strictly a state matter and does not
contemplate taking a hand.
The reserve supplies of the country's
railways, according to Secretary
Hoover, vary from three months down
to a few weeks. These latter must
have immediate help, he said, and are
making arrangements to import British
coal. In this connection he said that
the railroad strike has materially tied
up shipments from the non-union fields
of Tennessee and Kentucky He denied
that general mobilization of motor
trucks is contemplated at any place
and said that the railroads will be able
to move all necessities.