Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-30
HOUSE RULES OUT
COAL Agency PLAN
Refuses to Consider Amend
ment to Distribution Bill
Expected to Pass Today
HARDING TO ENFORCE LAWS

Washington, Aug. 30.--The Ander-
son amendment TO the Administration
Coal Distribution Bill, which would
Kermit the President to create nm agency
for buying and selling coal and to seize
mines II. in his opinion. such a step
was necessary. was thrown out In the
House today on point Of order.
The coal agency plan was first sug-
gested by President Harding in his nd-
dress to Congress, but in drafting the
distribution bill the Interstate Com
mcrce Committee abandoned 1t. an
nouncing at the same time that 1t had
acted with presidential approval.
With the killing Of tho Anderson
amendment Republican leaders pre-
dicted that a proposed amendment by
Representative johnson. OF South Da-
kota. authorizing the President to take
over mines and railroads would meet
bill would be passed before adjourn
mcnt tonight substantially as framed.
Announcement Of the plan 10 attach
a Federal operation clause to the coal
distribution bill came after II had been
made known Mt the White House yes
terday that the PRESIDENT still held that
such a grant of power was desirable in
order to strengthen the Administra-
tion's hold on tho industrial situation.
although ut this time he foresaw no
such grim public necessity as alone
would move him to exercise this au-
thority.
The President was said to believe
that the anthracite coal industry short.
~ would be put on the same basis OF
rapid recovery in production that the
bituminous mines have reached and that
the railroad situation then would be
left az the only serious problem. The
present Administration policy In deal
Ing with the latter was said 10 be a
strict enforcement of existing laws
guaranteeing safety of life and property
and maintenance Of necessary public
service.
Rcfectinr that policy. Attorney Cen
ernl Daugherty was completing plans
today for special Department Of
Justice organization TO investigate al
legged illegal stoppages of transporta-
tion service incident to the rail strike
in the West. The organization will be
centcred at Los Angeles. In charge OF
Hiram G. Todd. who Is resigning the
Office Of United States Attorney for
Northern New York to accept the spe-
cial appointment. In addition, the At.
torncy General has, instructed all Fed.
cral District A.ts.licvs to vigorously
prosecute all violators Of Federal
Court lnJunctlonS granted to protect
railroad operations and properties dur
ing the strike.
Hits "SociAlistic legislation
Referring to White House reports
that the President wants authority to
take over railroads and mines and the
advocacy of Government operation of
these properties by William Jennings
Bryan. Representative Rayburn. of
Texas. declared during the House de-
bate on the coal distribution bill that
he did not propose to be swept of his
feet or persuaded to support social
istic legislation calculated to destroy the
Government. He asserted the bill
would cut down production.
Representative Barkley. ranking
Democrat Of the committee which re.
ported the bill, supported the distribu-
ton measure. declaring that the time
had come to recognize the existence OF
an emergency.