The New York herald., 1922-08-22

Measure to Show What
Is Wrong With Coal
Industry Meeting
hsFavor.
PRICE FIXING FOUGHT
Those Not Lukewarm Are
Hostile on Suggestion OF
Fuel Agency.
RAIL BILL rs INTRODUCED
House Considers Idea of d
Cooling Off Period After
Boards Awards.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau
Washington. ID. c.. Aug. FL.
Despite the surface enthusiasm and
the handclapping with which the ad-
dress of President Harding on the in
dustrial crisis was received by Con-
gress there was nothing in the action
Of that body to-day to Indicate that the
country may expect speedy legislation
looking to the solution OF pressing
problems
On the first day of the legislative
week there was not so much as a hint
from any quarter on either side of the
Capitol for action on the one and only
emergency recommendations made by
the President for the protection of the
public In the crisis-the suggestion for
the establishment Of a coal agency
with Government capital to prevent
the orgy of profiteering which is ex-
pected by the Administration.
Republican leaders in the Senate and
the House, while not disposed to take
direct issue with the President "for
quotation" apparently are unable TO
go along with him on the question OF
a coal agency Those who are not
lukewarm are frankly hostile, and
from all indications the recommends
ton will go by the board unless this
President is prepared to use Adminis-
tration pressure.
In view of the general hostility with
which the coal agency proposal was
greeted and the undoubted disposition
or the coal leaders TO pass 1t UP, II is
believed the President within the next
few days either VIII call the Congress
sionai leaders into council and seek to
bring them into harmony with his view
or else let the matter drop entirely.
should Function at Once.
ton to-day that IL the coal agency IS
to serve any useful purpose in prevent
ing prices from soaring 10 new high
levels 1t should be authorized and ready
to function almost Immediately They
pointed out that with the opening Of new
mines and the larger degree of competi-
tion from buyers the natural tendency 10
raise prices is practically beyond con-
tiol, SO that the fair price, level
established at s3.5o a ton by Secretary
Hoover few weeks ago. Is by way OF
becoming an average fair price" of
$3.50.
Congress on the whole would prefer
for prices 10 get their level by the
gradual process OF adjustment than 10
| lsunch on a program OF price fixing.
IL was indicated that II there was 70
be initiated any system OF price fixing
4. would be preferable TO have a maxi
mum price established by law rather
than by corporation.
With the converting of the House this
morning Representative Winslow (Rep.,
Mass). chairman OF the Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce, intro
duced a bill creating a coal fact finding
commission. with view to making
recommendation for the permanent set
tlement OF the problems OF the coal in
dustry.
The bill was sent TO the Commercs
Committee. where II was Immediately
considered, Representative Winslow
hoping to get 1t before the House for
action tomorrow morning. After three
hours discussion, however. the commit
tee dispersed without reporting Il. IL
will meet again Tomorrow. when IL IS
expected the bill will be reported TO the
House. II was decided TO ask for
special rule TO live 1t the right OF way
and to facilitate speedy action.
Borah TO Cali Up Bill.
Senator Borah CRep.. Idaho) win call
meeting OF the Labor Committee. OF
which he Is chairman. tomorrow 70 con-
slider his bill as amended 70 meet the
recommendation OF the President.
The Senator does not expect much
opposition to the measure either In COM
mittee or on the floor Of the Senate. On
the whole the proposal is considered as
one out of which some good eventually
may come
II involves no decision for a definite
stand on the part Of Congress. II Is
considered wholly innocuous from
political standpoint.
The winslow bill would create a COM
mission OF not more than nine members
instead Of commission OF five. as the
President favors. This. however. Is a
difference OF mere detail and which
easily can be adjusted.
1t Is now regarded as certain that thu
measure will have a speedy passage
through both Houses and the commission
will IN all probability be functionlug In
side ten days.
Under the provisions OF the bill no
member OF the Senate or persons who
are connected with the coal industry
shall be eligible to serve. Each MEM
Eber Of the commission will receive =
salary OF $4,000 a year
The commission shall cease 10 exist =
year after the taking effect OF the ac;
and It carries an appropriation o.
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