New Britain herald., 1922-05-18
Administration Seeks Co., operation to Prevent Rates From Being In- creased During Strike
Proposal Calls for Clearing House Method for Pooling Orders and Aiding Buyers About Country.

Washington, May 1s.-secretary
 Hoover asked and obtained today the approval of the leading operators of
 non-union bituminous coal fields for a government plan of getting the coal
 industry by voluntary action to put g. stop point on increase of coal prices during the period of the existing coal strike.
 Thinks Price Too High. | Mir. Hoover has expressed the view that the rise in coal prices from about s2 ton at the mines to $350 and S4 a ton for coal as reported in some dis tricts was unnecessary and due most- ly to competitive bidding and local conditions which could be remedied by the cooperation of the mine oper- Iators and the purchasing agencies of public utilities.
 40 Operations Approved.
 The plan which was approved by a bout 40 operators who met with MT. Hoover calls for the creation of committee of operators with govern ment and consumers representatives serving on it in each district where coal is being produced through which |all orders for coal will be cleared A similar general committee will be set up in Washington and Mr. Hoover as- sured the coal operators that he had Attorney Gen. Daugherty's opinion that such cooperative action to re- duce and hold down prices in the pub- lie interest would be legal.
 Harding Racks Move
 Practically all of the representa- tives of larger producing companies not affected by the strike in the ter ritory east of the Mississippi were present when MT Hoover. saying that the operators had been called for con- ference at the direction of President Harding, announced his plan. Most of the coal men called upon Secretary Hoover to express their individual views on the general proposal in ad- dition to declaring their approval de- clared that the production situation did not justify any great increases in coal prices as ample supplies of coal existed. They also agreed with Mir. Hoover that a method of bringing tho consumers in touch with the supply would prevent speculation and buy CTS panic which might cause ruin away coal market if the strike con- tinued in the union fields for many weeks longer.
 Wages Not Discussed.
 we are here to consider only the problem of distribution and price in coal" MT. Hoover said. "and will not discuss the wage, or the strike ques- tion. What we do wish to consider are such measures as may be done in a purely voluntary and cooperative way by the men in the industry with f the assistance of the government to prevent profteering and speculation in coal. There is no law or government al requirement that could be enforced at this juncture but I have confidence that the operators of mine still in production will cooperate to that end"
 He then described the committee clearing house proposal for pooling orders and directing buyers to pro- lucers He suggested that the price evel of 1917 set under the wartime 'uel administration with minor ad-  ustments to meet changes in wage scales would serve as the top limit of prices for the committees. He also that representative of the should sit on the committ7e o direct the purchase of their coal supplies and a representative of pub ic utilities companies for the same purpose.
 Pledges Support. ..
 J. G. Bradley, president of the West 'irginia coal operators association said he pledged himself to cooperate to the fullest extent" with the governments proposal.
 "I want to congratulate you on the oresight shown in the taking up of he question in advance of probable eed" MT. Bradley said.
 WILL WORK IN II (