Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-07-22
RAT|ON|NC PLAN
FOR COAL To Be
DISCUSSED At 4
PARLEY MONDAY
Conference Called By HooV-
er viii Also Consider a
Policy Designed to Re-
strain Profiteering,
G0VERNM MENT TO STAND
PAT FOR A FORTNIGHT
viii Ascertain Whether Suf-
fiCient Production Will
Be Obtained Through Re-
opening the Mines,
(By The Associated Press.i

Washington, July II (by the As
sociated Press 1.-The government
is prepared to "stand pat" for a
period of ten days TO two weeks in
it's attitude toward the coal strike,
it was indicated today, in order TO
ascertain whether sufficient pro-
duction will be obtained through
the reopening of bituminous mines
under guarantee of federal protec-
ton to assure the fuel require
ments of essential industries.
In the meantime, however, plans
for distribution of the curtailed
supply Of coal are to be pushed, 1t
was said. Secretary Hoover an
nounced tonight that he had called
a meeting here next Monday OF
representatives of producing dis
tricts in Pennsylvania, West Vir-
glnia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ala
bama and Virginia to discuss the
proposed "rationing' plan and to
formulate policy designed to re-
strain profiteering.
Hopeless DeHulOCk.
While all three parties to the
recent conferences in Washington
the government, operators and
union-seemed satisfied that the
situation, as it now stands, was
hopelessly deadlocked a new move
for restoration Of peace in the
coal fields was seen in the resolu-
ton introduced in the senate to-
day by Senator King, democrat,
Utah, who proposed creation of a.
commission OF five to investigate
both sides of the controversy and
report it's findings. No provision
was made in the provision for en-
forcing the findings made by the
commission, but Mr.. King ex-
pressed, the opinion that such a
body, set up by positive legislation,
would have more authority than
did the conference requested by
the president.
Survey of Stocks
A survey of remaining coal
stocks was said to have convinced
administration officials that these
were sufficient to permit fort
night of waiting to develop the re-
sponse to the presidential invita-
tion" to the operators to resume
operation without adding unduly
to the danger of an industrial
shutdown through lack of fuel.
Secretary Hoover's program for
emergency distribution was said to
contemplate the organization of q
central committee here which
would act through local commit
tees in the principal coal produce
ing sections.
There were strong indications in
administration circles tonight that
the government expected to rely
on the distribution Of coal being
produced in the non-uniop fields
to supply the railroads and neces-
sary consumers during the emer-
gency.
Aim of Administration.
The aim of the administration,
it was understood, would be first
to insure sufficient fuel to keep
the wheels of the countrys trans
portation system turning and then
to enable the distribution of coal
to the other most necessary indus
tries, bearing in mind the peculiar
needs of the northwest and New
England states.
There has been evidence that
the plan already adopted for re-
straint of coal prices to the Gar
field basis, threatens to break
down, Mr.. Hoover said today.
Plans will be discussed at the
Monday conference, he said. for
making the voluntary restraint
of profiteering effective in the one
or two districts which have refused
to cooperate and are now de-
manding $3.50 ton for coal at the
mine, and further to make 1t ef-
fective against the minority of ir-
responsible operators In the other
districts who have broken away
from the agreement"
1.-THE responsible operators are
holding to the price" Mr.. Hoover
continued, ION the other hand,
some panicky railway buyers and
others are sending out orders to-
day offering $S at the mines"
Production Decreases.
Reports at today's cabinet meet
ing of results to date Of the presi-
dents appeal for opening of the
mines in strike territory. did not
indicate substantial new produc-
ton, but more time was said to
be needed for a test of its success.
Non-union production was found
to be running far below the levels
of April, May and June, in spite
of price incentives for greater pro-
duction, and this was charged di-
rectly to the effectiveness of the
railroad strike in the mining ter
ritory concerned.
What steps will be taken after
the test period outlined were still
in debate. Prospects that the
mines would be taken over and
that the government would pro-
ceed along the lines suggested In
President Hardings telegram to
Governor Sproul of Pennsylvania
setting up commission to fix
wages and force operations in the
industry were discussed
There also were repeated asser-
tions that failing to accomplish a
satisfactory resumption of trans
portation and coal mining, the
government would proceed
through the department of justice,
to prosecute the strike leaders for
a conspiracy to restrain interstate