New-York tribune., 1922-11-06
VI. S. Chamber.
Against Coal
Naturalization
Barnes Asks for Federal
Fact Finding Board To
Be Heard if Plan Is
TO Ell ave Consideration
Cites Trouble i'm Russia
Big Industrial Users Of
Fuel Oppose 1t Here,
Leader Writes Hammond

From The Tribune'8 Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Nov 5.-The Cham
ber of Commerce of the United States
to-day asked the Coal Commission to
be given an opportunity 20 present the
views Of organized business and in
dustry, in the event the commission
during it's investigation, seriously con-
siders any proposal looking to the ma
tionalization of the coal industry.
In making this request in letter Co
the commission, Julius H. Barnes,
president of the national chamber,
points out the disastrous conse-
quences Of the naturalization Of vari-
GUS industries in Russia and other
countries in Europe"
At the same time Mr.. Barnes offers
the facilities Of the national chamber,
with its large underlying membership
in general industry, ain the scrvi:e
of your investigation, at any time and
in any manner you may indicate"
Letter to Hammond
Mr.. Barnes's letter, addressed 20
John Hays Hammond, chairman Of the
commission, reads:
"The Chamber Of Commerce Of the
United States sincerely desires to be
helpful in the investigation carried
on by the commission. We assume
that your direct contact with repre-
sentatives of the mine workers and
of the coal operators will provide you
with accurate and comprehensive in
formation on the practical phases of
coal production and distribution. I
feel, however, that tn the progress of
this investigation there may develop
some phases in which the commission
will wish some method Of communica-
tion of contact with large industrial
users and consumers of coal and tn 80
at that point the chamber, with its
large underlying membership in gem
eral industry, may be of service to
you, and now offer the facilities of
the Chamber Of Commerce of tbs
United States in the service of your
investigation at any time and in any
manner you may indicate.
II do desire at this time TO ask you
that, II in the course Of your investi-
cation your commission proposes to
give serious consideration to any prof.
GU VI pan VI REORGANIZATION OF the
industry or of government operation
In any form in Connection with it, the
chamber may be given an opportunity
TO present the views of organized busi-
ness and industry.
Cites Russian Example
"We recognize the fact that the dis
astrous consequences of the nationali-
cation of various industries in Russia
and other countries in Europe. the
drain upon national revenues Of gov
ernment-operated services in Europe.
such as railroads, telegraph and .ele.
phone, have discredited properly these
phases of the relation Of government,
and industry to such an extent that
serious consideration of any recon-
mendation tending in that direction
may not be given by your commission.
We have no desire to burden your rec
ord needlessly and therefore content
ourselves with thus expressing the
clear conviction of business and indus
try that deterioration and disaster fol-
low the injection Of government in.o
industry, and ask to be allowed 70
present the evidence and the argument
at the proper time before your COM
mission, IL serious consideration Ia
given to any phase Of this relation