The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1922-08-21
CLASH COMING ON
HARDING PLAN
PROPOSAL For Government Coal
Commission IS Opposed.
SPECULATE UPON OUTCOME
Executive Ability to Bring Certain
Senators Into Line is Questioned
eorah Firm For Commission.

Washington, Aug. 21.-President
Hardings recommendations in MS
address to congress of "a government
commission, Independent of the indus
try. clothed with authority by the
congress to search deeply, SO that II
raN advise as to fair wages and as
~ the conditions of labor, and recon-
:nend the enactment of laws to protect
:he public in the future is expected
to bring an early clash between the
proponents and opponents OF govern
nIent regulation of the coal industry.
Senator Borah. chairman OF the sell
a;e committee ON education and la
tor. said he expects to call up in his
committee this week the bill he intro
duced along these lines several weeks
ago. President Harding did not Spe-
titically indorse the Borah measure.
but his suggestion OF coal legislation
iallies closely with its provisions. Ii
is now up to the executive TO put be-
hind the legislation Republican senat-
ors such as Dupont, of Delaware; !;
phipps. of COlarado; Warren, OF
Wyoming, and Shortridge, of Califor-
ria. who have been among the most
determined opponents of governmental
Interference with industry.
The outlook now is that many sena-
tors will meet the presidents appeal
Tor relief legislation by taking the
rain for home. Many left the city
over the weekend and announced
hey expected to be away for some
time, now that the tariff bill is out
Of the way. Senator BOrah said he
expects 10 get 4 meeting of his cUm-
mittee on the coal bill the first Of the
week if enough senators are i'll town
10 consider it.
He thought the opposition of some
modified by the recommendations of
he president.
Unless the president backs up his
suggestion by actively Canvassing op-
l,uSilion senators Oh the Republican
de. The regulatory legislation will
nave no chance whatever. poll indi-
cafes Those who are in touch with
The administration say he proposes 10
do this, in view OF the great emer-
.tncy which is imminent by re
nf decreased production and general
<tagnati0n in the trade on the eve OF
winter Borah is not the SnT of SEN
nor who has 10 he stimulated 10 eT-
tort hy White House suggestion, and
neither is he likely TO be deferred by
:he attitude of any of his party asso-
ciateS. He has made Il study of the
cual situation, and lie Is going to
bat To prevent distress and suffering
through nationwide chaos in lhe in-
du>try.
Normal coal production is approx
mately 100000 10 12,OOO,OOO tons
per week. according 10 geological SUI
vey figures Lost production during
the strike has brought this down 10
considerably less than half Every
little protiteer is preparing TO take
his toll of this situation created by
the depletion of national coal stocks.
President Harding anticipated this
when he made a second recommends
ton for immediate provision for Il
temporary national coal agency. with
needed capital to purchase, sell and
distribute coal which Is carried i'll in
terState shipment"
Ii is around these suggestions for
regulation of the coal business that
the battle will be fought.
Senators and representatives are al
ready receiving by letter and wire the
protests of the coal industry against
the Harding recommendations Never
theleSS, the sense of imminent distress
which the country feels with winter SO
near ut hand has given for the first
time real impetus to the movement for
government supervision of the buSi-