The Hartford republican., 1922-07-28
U. s. TAKES CONTROL
OF COUNTRY'S COAL
Railroads Get Priority On
Fuel Supplies; Util-
tiles Next.

= Washington. July 25.--Support Of
the Railroad Labor Board as the only
agency created by law for handling
the transportation tie-up. accelera-
ton Of coal production under Federal
protection and control fuel distribu-
tiOn were given by Administration
spokesmen today as the three fun
damentals of the Gov ernment's poll
cy toward the industrial crisis in
yolved in the coal and railroad
strikes.
Restatement OF the Governments
position followed the regular Tues
day meeting of the Cabinet, which.
for nearly three hours. devoted its
attention 10 the double threat against
the country's economic fabric-fam-
inc in fuel and disruption of inter-
state commerce.
The first step toward control Of
depleted transportation facilities and
coal supply came shortly afterward
in a statement from the Interstate
Commerce Commission declaring that
an emergency existed in the territory
east OF the Mississippi River which
required the commission &c direct the
routing of all essential commodities
and to fix preference and priority
status to control movement of food
and fuel.
Borah Asks For Investigation.
The priority order was followed by
a general service order from the
Commission. notifying "all common
carriers" that an emergency existed
which required them TO disregard
usual routing practice. freight rate
divisions and traffic arrangements
SO as TO obtain the most expeditions
movement of essential freights.
Becoming effective tomorrow, the
Commissions mandates give railroads
first priority on fuel requirements
with electric power, light, gas. water
and sewer works. ice plants serving
the public. and refrigeration plants
engaged in preservation of food, fol-
lowing in the order named.
Proposed appointment OF sderaI
Commission to investigate the coal
industry received further support to-
day in a resolution introduced in the
Senate by Chairman Borah of the La
Dor Committee.
MIR. Borah suggested the commits
sion be composed of three members,
appointed by the President and that
IL recommend the advisability of nee
essity of Matchmaking the industry,
or of the institution of government
regulations.
In outlining the Government posi-
tion in the railroad strike, Admins
tration spokesmen said it had been
decided that the Railroad Labor
Boards authority to determine wages
and working conditions for railroad
employees must be recognized and up
held, and that the attempts to operate
mines in spite of the miners union
strike must be continued until 1t Is
demonstrated that not enough men
are willing to work under State and 7
Federal protection to bring out an ad-
.equate tonnage.
II was added that the Adminlstra- !
tion was struggling to deal fairly ,
with the entangled rights OF all par !
ties to the widespread industrial con- /;
troversies, but intended above all to !
uphold the majesty and dignity OF ,
the Government of the United States.
Meanwhile in the fuel crisis result
ing from the coal strike, the powers
of the Government will be used to
distribute the diminished current pro-
duction of coal in accordance with the
demands of public welfare, and to
prevent the taking Of extortionate
profits.
President Harding was represent
ed as unwilling to anticipate In ad-
vance what course might be taken
should the coal output fail to be aug
mented to the required tonnage, but
for the present week at least, 1t was
stated, he would withhold creation OF
the suggested Federal coal commits
sion,
MAY Yield Seniority Rights. !
While the Railroad Labor Board
would be upheld in its epdeavors to
deal with the striking craftsmen IL
was intimated in official circles thai
NJ the concession of seniority rights
TO strikers who have left service
would result in their return to work.
the railroad managements ought to
WELD the point. The Board. too 1t