The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-08-31
COAL PROBE BILL
PASSED BY HOUSE
Winslow Measure Is Approved
After Rules Committee Sends
Out Bland Plan.

Washington, ~ The administrator
BIN FOR creation OF a Federal commits
sion to obtain al facts possible relat
Ing % the coal Industry and On whlcl
miners and operaiors vers denied rep
resentatlon was passed by the house
2ia 70 80.
Three separate attempts were mads
By Representative Bland, Republican
Indiana. 70 amend the blu so as TO put
representatives Of the miners and mine
owners on the commission. but all OF
them failed.
The house voted down a proposal by
Representative Denlson, Republican,
Illinois, TO reduce the commission mem
bershlp from nine to ave, but the next
moment, by an Overwhelming vote.
adopted an amendment by Represents
tive Bankhead, Democrat. Alabama.
cutting the salary OF commissioners
from $4,000 to $500.
On the heels OF this II put through.
virtually without objection, an amend
ment by Representative Moore, Demo
crat, Virginia, reducing the apprOpria-
ton for the cost and upkeep Of the
commission from $4,000 20 100000.
Chairman winslow, Of the Interstate
Commerce Committee, who handled the
bin through the house, announced that
the committee was not opposed TO the
smaller amount
Four Republicans voted against the
bin and "a Democrats supported II. II
now goes 10 the senate, where the
Borah commission bill, slightly differ
ent in some provisions, is pending.
For a time Republican leaders were
thrown of their feet by action OF the
Rules Committee in voting TO present
the Bland bIll with Its provision for
miner and operator representation, as
a substitute for the Winslow measure.
President Hardlng's opposition 10 this
was set forth In his message
TO congress. The committee failed on
a tie vote to reconsider its action, but
later II reported a rule giving the
Winslow bill the right Of way and
opening II 10 amendment.
In the end leaders found no reason
'or the furry, for under a parliament
ary situation the bin was called up by
Nr. Winslow in regular form and was
without a rule.
There was no pronounced opposition
% the bill as finally whipped In shape
'or passage Mr.. Winslow declared
hat the fact-findlng commission was
iesired by the President, as the leader
" the American people.
This measure simply provides" he
aid, "for commission which will put
Is nose In the business, and II II has
he wit and ability, bring forth a re-
'ort and suggestions which will tell
he world, particularly the President
nd congress, Just what II thinks is the
rouble with the thing and what the |
acts are
Opposing the bin, Representative
Jarrett, Tennessee, the Democratic |
eader, asserted that II offered no relief |
or the present or similar siustlon.
1T is intended as subterfuge, cost
ng half a million dollars" Garrett |
aid, "and without being Of any tan
ible value in the present situation or
a any that might arise in the future"
After q long debate, the motion to
ubstitute the Bland bill was rejected,
20 TO rs. The house also voted down
proposal TO cut the size OF the COM
llssion from nine TO FIVE members.
After first voting TO give preference
} the Bland coal investigation bill,
roviding for an investigation commls-
.on on which miners and operators
ould be represented, the House Rules
ommittee reversed Itself and reported
NJ the Winslow administration bill
,r a commission composed entirely Of
npartial Representatives Of the public.
The committee also brought out an
pen rule, however, which would per-
IL amendment OF the Winslow meas
re to provide for representation OF
Iners and operators. By this action I
e question as whether such represen- ,
ton should be prohibited, as insisted
pom by President Harding, was put
Iuarely before the house.