The New York herald., 1922-08-04
Failing to Operate, Prop
critics Would Be Put I'm
der a Receiyership.
MILLER SEES PRESIDENT
Governor Pleads for Additional
Coal Supplies for New
York.
Special Dispatch 70 Tmn NEW York HERALD.

Special Dispatch 70 THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c., Aug. 3.
Baked in his efforts toward settle
ment of the coal strike and the rail-
road strike and facing the same crisis
which presented itself to President
Roosevelt in 1902, President Harding
is preparing actively to put into force
and effect, as last resort, the Roose-
welt program for enforced action in
the mines and probably on the rail-
roads.
While the Administration apparently
is marking time waiting for show
ing by coal operators and railway
executives of their ability to protect
the public from suffering. President
Harding is intensely at work on de-
tailed plans to avoid what Administra-
ton leaders feel may develop into
national catastrophe.
The President will announce, prob
ably within a week, the appointment
of a coal commission. 1t will be repre-
sentative of the public and delve INTO
every feature Of the present contro-
versy and into fundamental conditions
in the mining industry.
Men will be asked to return to work
pending the findings of the commission.
Threatens Receivership.
Should violence develop in the mean
time, or should one or both sides re-
fuse 20 bulge. then the President would
step in through receivership process
and assume active direction Of the prop
critics. He holds that their failure to
function threatens the national welfare
and he would operate them co avoid
widespread famine OF coal, food or other
necessities.
Several weeks ago THE NEW YORK
HERALD announced that the President
intended to follow the line of action fol-
lowed by Roosevelt In the fall OF 1902,
when the anthracite coal strike was on.
Since then several efforts toward con-
ciliation and agreement have been made.
the calling of conferences and meetings
closely following those of the anthra-
cite coal strike. Faced now by refusal
of the contending forces to get together.
as was Roosevelt, the President must
take the next step--the appointment of
a commission.
IL either or both sides refuse to ac-
cept the commission or to abide by its
decisions. then mines or railroads will
be taken at the first sign Of public ex-
tremity No general or wholesale TAX
ing over Of mines or railroads will he
undertaken on the other hand those
falling to meet public requirements will
be placed under receivership or military
dictatorship II necessary to insure opera
ton.
Development OF the present coal strike
closely parallels that os the anthracite
coal strike. Theodore Roosevelt nego-
tiated and felt his way more slowly
than is President Harding and the strike
was not broken until both sides realized
that forceful action by the Government
was imminent.
President I'm Conferences.
President Harding spent practically
his entire time to-day In conferences
on the strike situation. Secretary OF
Commerce Hoover was with hm most
of the afternoon and during most of the
conference william Anderson Glasgow,
general counsel Of the United Mine
Workers of America. was present. Plans
of the Administration for an enforced
ending Of the strike II coal production
was not adequate were discussed. The
Roosevelt plan was gone cver IL Is un-
derstood.
Earlier in the day Gov. Miller Of New
York. accompanied by Delos Cooke.
former New York Fuel Administrator.
and II. Eugene Outerbriige, chairman
of the New York state coal advisory
committee Just appointes by the Gov
ernor, conferred with tn President on
conditions In New York Later the del.
egation conferred witr Federal Goa;
Distributor Spencer
Gov. Miller said afterthe conferences
that he had come to Washington to dis
cuss the best method OF cooperation
IN distribution Of fueIsupply and had
offered the cooperatin OF the state.
" Is understood. hsyever. that the
Governor made pla for additional
coal supplies in NewYork. citing con-
ditions which are cauing concern He
received assurances that New York
needs will be given dcry consideration
In the distribution ofhvnilable supplies.