The New York herald., 1922-07-24
Administration Is De-
termined Not to Per-
NIT Profiteering by
Coal Operators.
HOOVER PLAN LIKED
No Difficulty Foreseen in
Carrying Fuel Pooling
Into Effect. III
BOARD WILL ACT NEXT
President Inclined to Let 1t
Make Next Move in Rail-
way Crisis.
BOARD WILL ACT NEXT

Special Dispatch to THE New YoHK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. d. c., July %.
Important action in connection with
the Governments policy in the indus
trial crisis due to the coal and railroad
strikes is expected within the next
forty-eight hours. With the coal
strike entering its seventeenth week
and the railroad strike on its fourth
week the time has come, 1t is indl-
Gated, for the full unfolding of the
Administration's plan to deal with the
situation.
The plans Of President Harding with
regard to the railroad strike have not
been indicated. On the other hand, as
a result of HIS conference Yesterday
with Chairman Ben w. Hooper of the
railroad labor board. the President Is
thoroughly. conversant with the out
standing facts in the situation and on
the basis of this first hand knowledge
he is devoting his attention to what
the Administration can do for a settle-
ment Of the controversy
al ibiiicdidtC 0cSElOPIIt1l IOOkl1E
to protection of the public and which
relates to coal and railroads alike is in
prospect. 1t is expected that the De-
partment of Justice after examining
the plan submitted by Secretary OF
Commerce Hoover for the pooling OF
coal and the allocating of cars, is pre-
pared TO give IT'S full Endorsement and
to give assurance that the project pre-
sents no legal difficulty
At thu same time that the question Of
pooling and allocating is about to be
inaugurated the Administration is 10
test its ability to protect the public
from profiteering at the hands OF some
Of the coal operators. The test VIII como
at the conference tomorrow between
Secretary Hoover and representatives OF
the non-union mines. Mr. Hoover is
determined to bring to terms the few
operators who have refused to stand by
the voluntary agreement to accept the
GARFIELD prices of $3.50 a ton at the
mines and who are demanding $3.50 a
ton.
Others Would Pronteer.
~ btiiiiN tuic W CONTINUE NOUld IN
the Administrations belief mean an orgy
Of profiteering which would result in
panic and boarding. Secretary Hoover
is confident that the few operators who
have failed to go along with the more
responsible operators in the non-union
fields will be compelled TO come to terms.
Much Importance is attached to this
price question. 1t has already been
clearly set forth that the one thing the
Government will not stand for is prof
iteering. either by the mines now in
operation or by. such mines as ri1y Re
operated under Government or state
protection.
No difficulty Is expected in connection
with the pooling of coal and ALLEGATION
of cars to assure distribution on an
equitable basis among the railways pub
lie utilities. industries producing neces-
stiles and public institutions 1t is ex-
pected that once the legality Of the pool
ing and priority orders plan has been
established the Department of Com
merce cooperating with the Department
Of Justice and the Interstate Commerce
Commission viii begin to issue orders
to the various districts through the oper
a.ors committees that are to be estab-
lished.
The Administration realizes that all
surance that the available resources will
be used TO the best advantage and that
IL is no. a step toward the settlement OF
the coal strike. There is still some hope
that the miners and operators may come
together. providing representatives OK
sufficient tonnage agree 20 a new basic
Joint conference 70 replace .he old CEN
trail competitive field conference A
move In this direction is being tried but
with results that are still doubtful.
James L. Lewis. president of the United
Mine Workers. Is still in New York. and
as far as known here has made M
definite move oo<ing 70 further CONFER
onccg.
Not 10 Oner Advice.
While President Harding will weicons
any effortpat a getting together on the
part of the warning factions IL is con-
sidered doubtful II he will make any
suggestions. As far as the Administra-
ton Is concerned the policy now centers
around the promise OF protection given
to such operators as may be able TO pro-
duce coal with non-union labor.
The disposition is TO wait a little 10
see what concrete results grow. out or
this policy. II II becomes evident that
the operators are not able TO produce
coal then Il is indicated there would be
nothing left but for the Government to
start operation on Its own account This
phase OF the matter has been fully dis
cussed in conference between the Presi-
dent and Senate leaders. and there IL
every disposition to give 10 the President
whatever power he needs for the peod&,c-
tion OF coal in the interest OF the puoIic.
Democratic as well as Administration