The New York herald., 1922-04-08
Regional Grouping of Coal
y Fields for Operation
Finds Favor.
WAGE STANDARD SOUGHT
Hoover, Davis, Calder and
Borah Commend New York
Herald Suggestions.
Special Dispatch 10 THE NEw yoRk HERALD.
New York Herald Bur-au.
Washington. ID. g.. April Z.

New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. g.. April Z.
Both the executive and legislative
branches of the Government are seek
ing remedy for the economic situa-
ton reflected In the coal strike and at
the same timc are looking toward a
future healthy condition in the in
dustry and not TO the outcome or the
immediate results Of the present con-
troversy.
The Government is not seeking 10
settle, directly the present strike. The
President In keeping his hands Off. II
tration will make no move unless suf-
tering or want is brought to the gen.
eral public or the strike is marked by
violence.
AS the strike progresses the aim OF
the country as reflected in the atti-
tude and the movements of its public
officers here for a permanent abridg-
ment of the constantly recurring labor
and economic troubles of the coal in
dustry becomes more marked. Hear
ings by the House of Representatives
are clearly directed toward the future
and not to the present controversy.
Examinations by the President and his
executive advisers follow clearly the
same pathway.
Interest I'm Grouping Plan.
Keen attention In Washington to-day
- a.. ffnrt a.
cditorially BY THE New YORK Herald
this morning for regional grouping and
Government regulation OF the coal
mines much after the plan In which the
railroads are TO be regroupcd In regions
for the public interest
Secretary of Commerce Hoover and
Secretary OF Labor Davis, the two
Cabinet officers chiefly concerned with
the economic aspects of the coal strike.
we're deeply interested in the sugges-
tion of constructive measures for regu-
lation of the coal industry.
At the White House, In the Cabinet
In the Senate and I'm the House of Rep
resentatives there is an absolute una
nimty of opinion that fundamental regu-
lation In the public interest is neces-
sary. Administration officials are prac-
ticaily unit In the belief that II should
be one which will carry as far as pos
sible away from Government ownership
Of operation. or of naturalization In
tho sense OF Government ownership or
operation.
Witnesses summoned before the House
Committee on Labor which Is inquiring
into the facts Of the present strike and
the general situation in the industry
have been almost a unit in the state
nent that general regulatio for a per-
nanent basis Of continued operation in
the coal fields Is necessary. Many sug-
gcstions TO this end have been made.
Cabinet Discusses situation.
Much of the time of the Cabinet meet
ing to-day was given to consideration
OF the coal situation. II was stated
after the Cabinet meeting that the dis
cusslon centered upon the future of the
industry. The strike was considered
principally as showing the absolute
necessity of program for development
of the coal industry in the public in
tercst
After hearing a report from Secretary
Hoover for the development Of the
Colorado River basin and other power
areas the Cabinet discussed the general
development Of power areas and utiiza-
tion OF coal and oil at the source Of sup
ply in developing electric erergy to be
lTAnSfnlILcu over WlT0S 10 factories and
other industries and household users.
The President and his advisers are con-
WINGED that the railroad and the coal
problems are the most important indus
trial questions ever faced by the repub-
lie, and q fundamental solution should
be found for them at the same time.
The railroads are the greatest users OF
coal. and coal mines furnish large
share OF the commodity transportation
OF the country
Secretaries Hoover and Davis wei
coined THE New YORK HERALD sugges-
tion as a possible solution and com
mended it's emphasizing OF the impor-
tance Of the problem to all industry and
TO the nation.
Commert came from many quarters.
A number Of Senators and Representa-
lives said the suggestion justified deep
study. Several Senators. however,
voiced opposition TO any governmental
interference with the Industry. and cited
the experience with railroads.
Two Feasible Methods.
Government economists who examined
the proposal stated that the railroads Of
fered q httirg parallel and that there
were two feasible possibilities for its
working out. They were
Flrst--That the mines be region
ally regulated as to rates. wages.
practices and working conditions
and
second~--That regional consolida-
tion Of mires be effected under Cow
~~nment direction to improve produc-
ing conditions and costs under
licensing system II necessary.
THE NEW York HERALD Is right in
calling attention to the fact that some
thing should be done about the coal in
dustry" said Secretary Hoover. "Condi-
tions cannot go on as they have been.
1T Is altogether one of the most vital
Continued on Page Nine.