Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-29
j. s. CONTROL
Of INDUSTRIES
NOT SCHEDULED
Coal Mines and Roads
Unlikely to Be Taken
Over by Government.
Harding Not Disposed
to Seek Authority;
Chiefs Are With Him.

l.
ernment operation of rail and coal pro-
perties were put aside, at least for
the present, Monday, and administra-
ton leaders, both in and out of con-
gress, centered their efforts instead on
less drastic measures to meet the in
dustrial emergency.
With the return to Washington of
President Harding after an over-Sun-
day conference with some Of his prin-
cipaI advisors on board the yacht May
flower, it became apparent that no step
toward government operation was to
become a part of the present admins
tration program.
Not only was 1t revealed that the
president himself was not disposed
definitely to ask for congressional
authority to take over the properties
involved in the strike situation, but it
was made known also that an influen-
tial group Of leaders in the senate and
house had taken q position which
would make prospects of passing leg
islation authorizing control extremely
difficult.
Consider Strengthening Spencer
Meantime committees in both
branches of congress reported out bills
received by the administration to
strengthen its hand In controlling coal
distribution by creating a federal dis
tributing agency and by giving to the
interstate commerce commission broad
er power over priority Of shipments.
In the house the bill will be taken up
Tuesday under a rule providing for
six hours of debate.
In the senate, committee action was
taken after only a short discussion and
with members reserving the right to
debate the measure at length on the
senate floor.
President Harding was informed late
in the day by Republican Leader Mon
dell that the distribution measure would
he brought into the house Tuesday and
passed before Wednesday night. No
such quick action was in prospect in
the senate, where the legislative situa-
ton was more complicated, but the
leaders predicted that there would be
favorable action without much delay.
Advisors Are Divided
Several cabinet members, senators
and other officials, including Secretary
Hoover, Attorney General Daugherty
and Chairman Cummins of the senate
interstate commerce committee, ac-
companied President Harding on the
Mayflower trip and are understood to
have taken part in a prolonged round
table discussion Of administration poll
cies. 1t was said Monday that opinion
among the chief executives advisers
was divided on the subject of govern
ment operation but that in the end
Mr. Harding indicated he would exert
no pressure for legislation authorizing
such q step.
ferees, the coal strike situation, both
anthracite and bituminous, appeared in
a way to solve itself and insure in
creased production in the very near
future, leaving the problem of moving
the product to the consumer as the
crux of the whole effort to restore in
dnstrial stability. 1t appeared to be
the opinion of the presidents advisors
that q great deal could be done in that
direction with authority already pos
sessed or to be conferred by the dis
tributing and priority legislation pend
ing.
May Cut Rail Service More
There was an intimation that fur
ther curtailment of the less important
classes of railroad service. such as
passenger and freight dispensible traf
fic in order to utilize motive power
and cars for food and fuel might be
one of the steps taken to relieve the
emergency.
Despite the transportation difficult
ties, the increase in bituminous pro-
duction has reached a point where tie
administration decided that the volun-
tary distribution organization which
has been functioning for the past four
weeks could be abandoned, pending
enactment of the distribution legisla-
ton before congress. Federal Fuel
Distributor Spencer announced the dis
bandment of his volunteer committee
and the continuance of super priority
orders for the movement of coal
Special arrangements were being
considered in the interstate commerce
commission for handling the winters
fuel supply for the northwest section,
while coal movement directed hereto
fore by Mr.. Spencer would be shipped
under the existing priority classified
tions of the commission. From the
anthracite field reports reaching the
White House were so reassuring that
it was indicated an agreement TO in
sure reopening of the mines was ex-
pected within very short time.