Evening journal., 1922-08-29
BACK TO HARD
COAL mining
NEXT WEEK IS
PRESENT Hope
tcontInued from FIRST Page)


ed many conflicting reports here
during the last few days regarding
possible seizure and operation of the
mines and railroads.
1t was officially stated the Presi-
dent now believes It is not only de-
sirable but necessary before an ad-
journment of Congress is taken that
he be given authority to meet any
national emergency that may a rise"
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 29.-|
Omitted Press. 1T was persistently
reported today that a plan for a
new peace in the anthracite coal
fields. acceptable 10 both miners and
operators. has been devised, that the
Joint conference OF operators and
union officials will reconvene here
tomorrow, and that new agreement
will be signed before the week ends.
II this is accomplished there is
possibility that the $4,000 miners
who quit work last April l, will be
back in the mines next week.
The note OF optimism which has
been struck is the result Of a series
of conferences yesterday between
government officials and mine work !
ers representatives and several in
formal meetings between individuals !
from the hard coal region and the |
union officers.
The Rev. J. J. Curran, pastor OF |
st. Mary's Catholic Church in
Wilkes-Barre, admitted that new
peace proposal had been submitted |
TO both miners and operators.
Father Curran held two conferences
with John L. Lewis, miners chief
yesterday. He refused TO discuss
the plan. Fahter Curran took an
active part In ending the strike in
1902.
1t is reported that a plan has
been devised whereby neither side
will have to recede from Its deter
mination not 10 make further con-
cessions. The matter of arbitration.
which proved the stumbling block
in the last conference, has been
under the new plan, ac-
cording to reports by the substitu-
tion OF a clause which will fix a
minimum wage scale at the end of
the initial period of work. When !
this period will end It could not
be learned. At the last meeting the ,
miners demanded that the wage
agreement to be effected. run un-
III April 1. 1924, while the opera :
tors were anxious to sign only for /
the remainder Of the present coal !
year" which expires next March 81.
The only information forthcoming ,
on this matter was that the con-
tract will be for reasonable length !
Of time satisfactory TO both sides. I
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2s.-mnit- .
ed Press) Warned by Secretary OF
Commerce Hoover that the railroads !
,annot move the countrys require Z
nents OF 100000 tons of coal r
weekly. President Harding and his O
abinet today FASTENED plans for in II
uring domestic consumers and In o
lustry against suffering and shut
own.
Due to the exhaustion of coal re- q
erve during the period of the btu o,
iinous strike the country, is now n
n a hand-to-mouth basis. Domestic
nd industrial requirements can be >,
haved down to S,500.O00 weekly, ~
Ioover estimated but the primary a
roblem is that OF hauling. !,
The test as to whether the rail- -
pads can haul sufficient TO prevent -
ldustrial paralysis and suffering p
lroughout the country during the :
inter months will come within two !,
eeks Hoover said. u
While he refused to discuss what
4
ould take, IL the transportation %
rstem breaks down It was indi- r
lted that in addition to giving coal 81
very possible priority on the rail- y
Dads a coal zoning system by which o.
o coal could be shipped from one y
tate into another coal producing a
tate would be put ineo effect TO
elp relieve congestion. -
Mr.. Harding has been told by =,
Ioover that the task of moving S. -
10000 tons of coal weekly is too y
e for the railroads in their pres -
ut crippled condition due to the u,
rike of shopmen.
Present plans are to give the In ~
rstate Commerce Commission new -
,wers to enable It to sidetrack the -.
ovement of every commodity ex- :"
pt that of coal and food even to =,
lrtailing passenger traffic when "
er necessary. -,
The Winslow and Cummins bills.
dered favorably reported by the
nate and House interstate COM
cree committees. are designed to
e the commission this power. A u
f fight, however faces this legis- -
ion in the Senate and the Presi- ~
ut is expected TO throw all the adj nc
influence behind 1t. The IN
Is also give the commission IL
'ater powers to prevent profteen- WI
ba
Due to the brighter outlook for
tlement of the anthracite strike.
President has decided to delay
request for immediate legislation Pa
permit him to take over the hard nis
j mines, tied up by the strike Of ass
900 miners. c.
Joe
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 Omitted mu
ess)-The fuel situation in the
rthwest continues serious Secre-
y Hoover said today. II the lake
rriers were crowded to capacity Coz
proximately 100000 tons could MO
placed in the Northwest but the Thi
nount is far below the require vii
ents and It will be necessary 10 gra
pplement the lake traffic with rail-
lo shipments, he said. Despite aiu'
9 iact fhat half of the non-union knt
~ prouucuon was allocated TO the an
net