Evening journal., 1922-07-24
SEIZE Mines
MAY BE NEXT
MOVE TO AID
COAL STRIKE

Continued From First Page.)
powers-almost as great as those
of the Federal Government during
the war to protect the public inter-
est in the present menacing situa-
ton.
Believing that the great twin
strikes are threatening the safety
OF the country and soon will bring
industrial paralysis and acute coal
famines the administration in the
drastic action contemplated is pre-
pared to treat the two disputes as
: one.
The patience of the President in
/ his efforts to bring the warning fac
tions In both strikes together has
about been exhausted and he feels
II his duty to take drastic action,
according to administration Sena-
tors who have been in close touch
with the executive.
The governments new and sweep
ing move will be made within two
days. II the strikers and the employ
ers do not manifest a willingness to
settle their dispute. one leading Re-
publican Senator said.
Assurances have been given the
executive that any additional powers
needed can be voted by Congress
in the near future.
Although the Esch -Cummlns law
deals primarily with the railroads,
Attorney General Daugherty has de-
cided that the powers conferred on
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion are so broad that they can be
extended TO the coal dispute. Coal
is essential to the movement of in
terstate commerce, which the gov
eminent must maintain. he has de-
clded. In this way. unified action
will be taken in both the rail and
mine strikes.
The I. c. c. IS the agency through
which the Government will act. but
It will he co-ordinated with the De-
partments of Justice and Commerce.
Steps that can be taken under a
decision reached in conference of
the commission members. Attorney
General Daugherty and Secretary
Hoover are:
/. Priority orders for the move
ment Of coal cars to the fields that
are now producing coal in order TO
speed up production. Reports to
the Geological Survey show a con-
gestion of traffic and shortage of
coal cars in the coal fields that are
now operating.
2. Priority orders giving the right
of way on all railroads to coal ship
n, apto IN oactfopg 81 tba cou,t,,, .t,.,s
are in the most immediate danger
of fuel famine. These orders, 1t is
claimed, can be used also to allocate
coal to public utilities and other in
dustries upon which the life of the
nation depends. The commission. it
is said. has virtually the right to
deny coal to essential users.
3. Proflteering. it is said. can be
checked by the refusal of the COM
mission to allow the transportation
OF coal when an unreasonable rate
is charged at the mines.
Thu Government officials have de- |
cided that the law gives the COM
mission virtually power over trans
portation and the distribution of the
fuel supply. Section 4O2, II was
ptAhAtu oulf gives the commission /
power ito give directions for pre-
ference or priority in transporta-
ton. embargo or movement of traffic
under permits at such time and for
such periods as IL may determine
md to modify. change, suspend or
lnnul them"
Under the first steps under con-
iideration is said to be priority or
lers for the shipment of coal to
View England and the Northwest
where the shortage already is be-
coming acute.
Penalties may be imposed upon
my carrier who refuses to obey In
er-State Commerce Commission
orders. Fines of from
100 TO $500 may be imposed. with
$50 for each day the violation is
continued.
No fines are provided against
Secretary Of Commerce Hoover
oday will meet with operators from
he non-union coal producing fields s
md seek TO reach an agreement
With them on voluntary steps to I
heck profiteering. q
II the operators balk, Hoover !
will warn them OF the drastic pro-
ram Of the government. [