The New York herald., 1922-08-21
LEADERS AGREED ON
A COAL COMMISSION,
HALT AT PRICE FIXING
Republicans in Accord on
Only One of Presidents
Proposals.
WAR TIMES RECALLED
Maximum Rates Then Set
Became Minimum, 1t
Was Found.
RAIL ISSUE is EyADED
Democrats and Republicans
Alike Chary of Taking Ac-
ton at Present.
RAIL ISSUE is EyADED
Special Dispatch to THE NEW York HERALD.

Special Dispatch 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. G. Aug. 20.
With the beginning of a new legis-
lative week tomorrow Republican
leaders in Congress will get down to
the actual consideration of the meas
ures recommended by President Har-
ding as a remedy for the Industrial
ills of the country and the proposals
the emergency produced by the rail-
road and coal strikes.
Responsible Administration leaders
have pledged themselves to give i'm
mediate consideration to the recon-
mendations made by the Chief Execu-
tive. but the extent to which Con-
gress will be able to extricate the
country from its present troubles still
is very problematical
What Congress purposes TO do rela
tive to permanent remedies for coal
and transportation problems in all
probability will be slow work, and
whatever the ultimate results there is
not in prospect at the moment any
magic wand that will relieve the Ad-
ministration from its burdens.
Conferences Are Planned.
Leaders OF both houses have planned
a series OF conferences for the discussion
and consideration of the Presidents pro-
posal. On only one OF these is there so
far anything like general agreement
even among the members of the ma
jority party. This general agreement
! relates to the proposal for fact finding
commission to investigate the coal m
dustry and report legislation looking to
permanent solution Of its complex
problems.
On the other coal proposal made by
the President. the recommendation for
corporation with Government capital
to beat down profiteering and protect
the public, there is very wide di-
vergence of view. 1t was indicated to-
night that none of the leaders of the
Senate or the House so far has summed
up sufficient courage to submit bill
to create a corporation of the charac-
ter desired by the President.
While the President Is expected ulti-
mately to get Congress to authorize such
body there inevitably will develop
around ii a heated controversy. many
leading Republicans taking the position
that the experiment of price fixing
should be last resort. They point to
the experience of the war to show that
what was intended to be maximum
prices almost invariably turned into
minimum prices. They further hold that
with the prospect of a settlement Of the
coal strike prices would adjust them
selves with output and distribution to
better effect than the mammoth corpora
tion proposed. The whole question Is
one OF which leaders have every In
clination TO keep clear and which will
require the Administration spur TO get
them to act on.
Labor Committees Meet.
Immediate action on the coal commits
sion is expected. The labor committees
OF both houses will meet tomorrow and
a bin will be prepared similar to that
sponsored by Senator Borah (Rep.,
Idaho). chairman of the Committee on
Education and Labor, but amended to
meet the views Of President Harding.
who believes the commission should rep
resent only the public and consist of
five members and not three. representing
the public. the coai operators and the
coal miners. as the original Borah bill
proposed.
Despite the enthusiasm with which
the Presidents recommendation for
amending the transportation act TO
strengthen the Railroad Labor Board
was received. the actual process will be
the sowest kind OF work. There will
be meetings of the Interstate Commerce
committees, but the issue of giving more
power to the Railroad Labor Board in
view Of the inevitable stand of railroad
- x...f f11t rft
cratic or Republican leaders are expected
70 be eager 10 pass with the national
elections OF November looming IN the
offing.
The Administration Is disposed TO
leave Il to Congress TO determine the
kind Of coal corporation necessary. but
Senators and members of the House are
every whit as chary Of fathering Il as
are members of the Cabinet with whom
the scheme originated.
While this - the actual situation as
far as Governmental action Is concerned,
there IL now every prospect OF prices
getting quite beyond the control OF the
Federal authorities. Secretary OF Com
merce Hoover admits that there must
be state price fixing agencies TO coop
crate with what the Government can
accomplish by voluntary agreements and
by using the priority powers OF the In
terstate Commerce Commission.
Mines opening IN the central compet-
tive field are showing signs of going be-
yond the fair price level of $3.50. Coal
actually is selling as high at 81 TO $40
from these mines. Irrespective OF the
settlement OF the coal strike there Is
very little hope that the price can be
driven down this year to $3.50 at the
mouth OF the mine. The country. Y Is
declared will be fortunate n the aver
age price can-be beaten down 70 $3.50.
POLES TO VOTE NOV. and ~.
wAnsAw. Aug. 2t.-The elections for
the Chamber Of Deputies Of Poland have
been liked by decree for November
and those for the Senate for Noycm-
ber IL.