Norwich bulletin., 1922-07-21

NaSnlngton, July zO.-DeNelopment or plans for stretching out the nations coal supply, now dwindling under con tinued impact of the mine and rail | strikes, was the immediate concern to- day of federal officials acting in the in- | dustrial situation. Secretary Hoover | announced that within day or two the interstate commerce commission and the commerce department would put into l operation a scheme diverting to essen tial transportation lines, the coal com ing from non-union mines and those that may be opened up in union terri tory. by use of priority orders govern ing transportation. The object will be the maintenance of the transportation machine.
 Next in order for coal supply from the diminished output, it was indicated, would be the northern Great Lakes ports, and should 1t be found impossi- ble to avert a shortage the coal dis tribution plan might be expanded to be- come complete rationing of supply to- other industries and territories, as their necessities might appear.
 Attorney General Daugherty com mented in connection with this plan that the strike disruptions had already made it certain that there would be a coal
 
 Replies of governors to President Harding's invitation that they guaran- tee protection to mine operation in. spite of the strike. continued to come to the White House practically all assuring the i federal government support.
 Governors of Arkansas Montana, Ore 1 gon and Texas had not responded to- night. while from Oklahoma an ack- nowledgment of the White House mes sage was received, saying the governor would reply later. Governor Groebeclx, I Michigan, outlined plans for opening mines there under state control. with federal sanction, but comment was with held. 1 In connection with a message from l Governor Morrison. of, North Carolina, questioning the presidents policy in asking the mines opened, even if force was necessary, to protect workers. high l administration officials pointed out that i responsibility for coal production in that state was small. Only one mine is operating there, 1t was said none of whom are members of the union and who average about fifty tons per day. | Reports of government departments indicated that while trains are still be- l ing withdrawn by railroads. the move ment of the mails and likewise of all l necessaries of life is continuing through out the country. Mail cars are being at tached to trains still kept running. with motor trucks in readiness to supplement
 this service. =
 Secretary Hoover. in discussing the possibility of coal rationing today. indi- lcated that imports of coal from abroad
 might help the situation. particularly in New England, where the ports are
 equipped for unloading coal from ships .1o
 Der of cargoes had been coming to At
 lantic harbors from England since the
 American strike began.
 Prices for bituminous. it was said
 have risen to levels higher than those set by voluntary agreement between the
 non-union producers and the commerce
 department some weeks ago. Unofficial reports from the West Virginia coal held'
 where the bulk of eastern non-union coa has been produced. indicated steadl
 decrease in production. due to railroad service disabilities.
 Officials considered 1t significant evi dence of the relationship between thu coal and rail strikes that clerks ant
 freight handlers on the Chesapeake an' Ohio and the Norfolk and Westeri roads should be called out since thes
 two roads serve the greater non-uniol , coal fields. Some West Virginia mine have not had more than oayS suppll
 of coal cars in the four working days o the present week.
 |. John L. Lewis, president of the Unit t ed Mine Workers. today transferred tn unions temporary coal strike headquar . ters to New York, but left here reiterat
 ing the determination of the union min
 CTS leaders to carry on the stoppage. o
 the industry until they obtained sue 1 cessful negotiations for a satisfactor : wage scale on a national basis.
 | Up to the time of his leaving attempt l of Ohio coal operators. who are willin T to grant the union demands. to secur
 association with them of enough opera
 tors in other states to satisfy the union a requirements were unsuccessful. Attorney-General Daugherty took oc 3 cason to renew the statement thai t while department of justice agent y would make sure that the laws wer
 obeyed, there was no disposition to in terfere with lawful union activitie, I New outbreaks of railroad disturbance : in Montana and Idaho were reported [ v him, MT. Daugherty said. but at Dem : son, Texas. and Rocky Mount. N. C e conditions had become satisfactory. n Effects of industrial disorder had bee
 noticed in a slowing up of the bushes situation in recent weeks, the commerc | department noted in a periodic reviev f though actual coal shortage had nc !, been occasioned.
 l ''The reason for this lies in the yer
 heavy stocks which were built up in til
 early months of this year." the stat . ment said.
 l