The labor world., 1922-09-23

fdllure OIL ll1c pare VI lHe 5IaIe
xovernment to "call into action those
essential rights reserved in the
people would be q reproach to the
commonwealth, ;jeopardize the pub
lie veal and acknowledge the supe-
riority of the win for unfair gain Of
q few over the interest of a general
public" he declared.
Because Of .thisscondition and lin
order that otherwise certain inflic-
tion upon the people of gross injus-
tice, severe hardship and physical
suffering may be provided against"
the special session was convoked.
Davis went on to review the ef-
forts made by the state to secure
voluntary observance by operators
OF fair prices to be based upon pro-
duction costs. Prices proposed. he
said. were liberal but the operators
refused to agree to any price less
than $3.50 ton, asserting they
had to. insist on this increase of more
, than 100 per cent over the Garfield
prices to make up the cost to them
Of the strike.'
Proper understanding Of the mag
nitude of the price insisted upon,
the message continued. is possible
only when it is remembered that as
late as last March, prior to the strike
Ohio coal was offered for as low as
41.74 a ton. ~,
ID ''No one will contend that coal
producing costs since last March
have risen enough to warrant an in
crease from STA to $3.50 ton, q
difference of $3.76 over 500 per
cent, ~ Davis asserted.
Pointing out the growing urgency
Of price re egulation. the governor de-
clared some dealers are now being
required to pay $3.50 ton at the
mine.
-'''rhe attorney general has ruled
that there Is vested IN the state pow
or to correct this situation in accord
once with the conceptions Of fairness
and Justice" Davis explained. 1T
Is Of the utmost importance that this
authority be made available and the
governor clothed with power that
will allow him to require establish
ment of 5kasonable prices for coal
as being a. necessity Of life, and the
further protection of the public in
terest through measures that will in
definitely safeguard an adequate
supply of fuel to fill all the needs
of our population: so long as the
present emergency lasts"
He then asked that authority be
vested in the governor to appoint
state fuel administrator with power
to fix prices, authorized to compel
dealers and operators to supply pro-
ducing and distribution costs and
that provision be made for criminal
prosecution of persons violating
prices fixed. Right would be re-
served dealers and operators to ap-
peal and every protection given their
rights.
:. In the event of inadequate coal
supply at prices established, Davis
asked that the fuel administrator,
through the governor, be empowered
to seize and operate all or any part
OF the Ohio mines with provision for
proper compensation to their owns
ers. To aid in this, he said, provision
should be made for an adequate ro-
tary fund to pay operating costs.
THE present is temporary emer-
gency and this drastic authority
should therefore be- limited. In time
to correspond with its existence"
he went on.
r However, the urgency of the sit
uation is such that need for prompt
!. action to cope with it is to be en-
phasized."
Legislatures displayed little enthu-
siasm. over the problem confronting
them before the assembly convened
this morning. Too many of them are
candidates for reelection to take
openly any very definite stand on
the proposed measures.
Leaders in Both houses believed,
however, the, proposed measures
would be enacted without any seri-
Gus opposition.
Both house and senate were late
IN going into session because of con-
ferences among leaders Of both hous-
es with Gov. Davis and Attorney
General Price. When the senate fl
nally convened it remained in ses-
sion only long enough to hear the
reading of aeY. Davis proclamation
calling the session and his message
to both chambers explaining in de-
I tail conditions resulting in his call.
The senate then recessed until $3.50.
Insthe house Immediately after
reading OF the proclamation and mes
sage, Representative Huston T. Rob-
ins, Chillicothe, introduced the pro-
posed bilps II was referred to the
judiciary ;oexmittee, of which Rob-
Z lns Is chAHfnah and the house re-,
cessed shortly thereafter. -
The Judiciary COMMITTEES, Robins
announced. will meet at 2 o'clock to
begin consideration Of the measure
& as drafted: It is planned to conduct
hearings on the bin during the after
eoon, tonight and tomorrow morn
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