The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-07-26
HOOVER HAS
COAL MINING
PROGRAM
Scheme t O Operate
Mines Under t h e
Government Super
vision t O Relieve
Fuel Famine

Associated PresS). - Operators
from the coal producing districts
of six states will be asked tomor-
row by Secretary Hoover to coop
crate with the government and the
railroads in a plan to insure the
distribution Of fuel to the carriers
and public utilities and to prevent
profteering during the strike emer-
gency. Ali angles Of Mr.. Hoover's
scheme, which contemplates the
formation of a central producing
committee to operate through COM
nittees in the producing districts
of Virginia. West Virginia, Tennes-
see. Kentucky. Pennsylvania and
Alabama. were threshed out today
at a series OF conferences Of the
federal agencies involved. Before
the opening Of the meeting tomor-
row Mr.. Hoover will have from At
torney General Daugherty a report
on the powers accruing to the gov
ernmenI in the emergency through
the cooperation of the interstate
commerce commission and its au-
thority under the law regulating
interstate commerce. -
In general Mr. Hoover's program
was understood to contemplate
the creation Of an emergency ma
chine with the committee compos-
ed Of a representative from the
departments Of commerce. justice,
interior and the interstate COM
merce commission with the COM
merce secretary as chairman. ope-
rating through the local commit
tee established in the producing
districts at the time of the volun-
tary agreements fixing maximum
prices.
Pooling of coal in the producing
districts and the distribution Of
cars Under a preferential system to
be instituted under authority of the
interstate commerce commission
is planned to permit Of the mar
shalling of fuel at the most avail
able points for quick, shipment to
the destinations where most need
ed. Cooperation between the rail-
roads and the interstate commerce
commission would make possible
adequate supply Of cars and estab-
lishment of freight embargoes. If
necessary, to facilitate fuel move
ments. :
Representatives of the operators
and the railroads are to be draft
ed into service as administrative
aids to the central committee to
provide direct contact with these
industries.
Price maintenance is to he
sought through efforts to obtain
more general observance on the
part Of small operators OF the vol
untary price agreements already
in force and by cooperation on the
part of the railroad to prevent COM
petitive bidding sending coal prices
skyward.
While Mr.. Heover's scheme was
declared to be based on the coope-
ration OF the parties Interested in
continuing the distribution of coal.
the authority OF the interstate cora
merce commission to act in emer-
gency in behalf of interstate corn-
merce was held to be the govern
ment's trump card. To this end
appointment of representatives Of
the commission to local committees
was considered as enabling the op-
Grafton of the program should CO.
operative efforts in any district fall
short.
Primarily. Mr.. Hoover has indi-
Gated. insurance of coal supplies to
the railroads is the object Of the
distribution scheme. with indus
tries producing necessities. public
utilities and similar consumers to
be taken care of as their needs be-
come imperative.