The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-08-31
PLANS To SEIZE
ROADS AND Mines
President Determined That An
thraeite Mining Shall Be Re-
sumed Before Frost.

Washington Legislation declaring
national emergency and directing th
President 10 seize and operate anthra
cite mines and certain railroads un
able 10 cope wlih tranie demands VII
be INTRODUCED n DE senate n The IN
dustrlal stuat5n does not improy'
IN the meantime
Definite Bnpounrement 20 this efeci
vas made after . conference between
president Harding. Attorney General
Daugberty and Senator Cummins
chairman u the Interstate Commerce
Committee
The collapse of negoiiations 10 end
the railroad shopmen's strike. aud the
failure Of the brotherhood medlators
f0r the striking shopmen and heads
OF nffy two railroads 70 agree 70 an
Indenendent settlement basis. are be.
lieved 10 have been the lmpeliing cause
fur the conference az the white House
II appears that the administration Is
waiting 10 see whether the anthracite
operators and mine workers get to-
gether Tor another conference before
Il emharks definitely upon course
leading 10 ederal control Of the sltua.
ton
President Harding and members Of
his administration having studlously
avoided making threats OF pointed ac
ton should railroad and mine oper
aiors Fan 70 reach settlement. but
me announcement. which appears 10
have been made with the Presidents
approval is virtual ultimatum de
pending upon one last chance for both
parties 10 reach voluntary settle
ment
Mr. Daugherty and Senator Cum
mlns conferred with the President for
an hour and half After the con-
ference no statement was forthcoming
from the white House. and Attorney
General Daugherty said Senator Cum.
Minis had been designated as the
spokesman
Senator Cummlns said the President
was giving one more chance to the
anthracite operators and miners tol
reach an agreement If settlement
Il not IN sight BY the first = the week,
n is planned to Introduce legislation
empowering the President 10 take over
the mines and set up a government
gency for selling and distributing the
coal Separate action is planned for
the railroads. Senator Cummins lndi.
Gated. the plan being TO take over
those lines that are incapable Of main
tanning adequate service" )"
II developed that the conference
resulted In the definite decision for the
White House 10 sponsor legislation EN-
powerlng the President to seize mines
and railroads Details OF the proposed
legislation were not worked out, but a
general comprehensive plan was
agreed 10. Senator Cummins said.
N was said at the White House that
President Harding believes negotis.
ions will be resumed between anthra-
.te operators and mine workers and
hat the situation Is capable OF yolun-
ary adjustment. The Developments,
,owever. tend TO show that the admin
stration is taking no chances and has
determined that either by
Iettlement or seizure hard coal mining
must be resumed before frost comes.
Anthracite reserve stocks were er-
lsus,ed long ago. and the northeast.
nth It's sereye winters, has been pre-
.nted TO the administration as in
desperate plight II hard coal mining Is
Iot Immediately resumed Senator
IummIn. said that little time would
e lost IN submitting seizure legisla-
ION n there was not an eleyenth-hour
nthracite settlement
II appears that President Harding
M his'advisers feel that the railroad
ituation will permit delay And that
he necessity for action Is not so
cute as in the anthracite coal indus
~. The program for taking over
allroads. Il Is understood does not
al for seizure of all lines. but arther
hose unable 10 keep coal mails and
1od moving,