The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-09-27
QUESTION
FUEL NOW
PARAMOUNT
President Hardin g
Calls on Railroads
t o Cooperate i n
Crisis

Wa shinston. Sept. 22.-The en-
tire operating personnel of the rail-
WAYS of the country was called up
on today by President Harding for.
a concentrated drive for SO days
to. provide the transportation fac.il-
ties necessary to meet the national
coal emergency.
In letter to Conrad f. Speas,
vice president OF the Chicago, Bur
lington & Quincy railroad. who
was named today as federal fuel
distributor under the new coal dis
tribution and anti-profftecring act.
the president declared that if the
enthusiastic attention OF the rai.-
road could be stimulated for a
month on. the movement of coal
and hauling of en,pties I'VE could
solve the coal situation not ontJ
as to ample supply. but prices
would be quickly readjusted-
The president suggested that AR.
Spens take up with the governor s
OF the various states the question,
OF, the prevention OF eAtortion as
the new act is limited to coal mov-s
ing in interstate commerce only.
"rhe federal government" Pres.
iden, Harding said. is leath to.
undertake to fix definite prices for
ccal. because of the Objectionable
character OF such Intervention in
peace times. because OF the diff
Guilty in arriving at fair prices
without giving undue favor 10 some
and loss to others and also because
Tof the incompleteness OF any au-
thori1y which lis only supplemen-
. tary TO state action. On the other
hand. 1 wish You 70 set up SUCH
agencies as will Vigorously follow
up individuals using facilities OF in
terstate commerce who are exact
ing extortion az defined in: the act.
in order that re may have relief
from such practices at the earliest
moment"
Arrangements for the distribu-
ton and control Of anthracite
prices. the president declared.
have heen satisfactorily ssta abEsiir
led in cooperation NTH stare an-
therities and operators and he
added. the. first activities Of the
hew fuel agency should be dirsc'.-
ed to the extension of the cooln
erative arrangements with the
RAILWAYS. bitGn,inous coal produe-
]; ing and consuIains communities
end the state Authorities set up by
Henry E. Spencer. the volunteer
]; federal fuel distributor.
/, Mr., Spens said tonight he was
as Yet unprepared TO announce
j definite plans for the administrt-
/ ton OF his new Offices but he ipsst-
/ ed the cooperation cf the entire
public TO the solution Of the ceal
situation. Cooperation of the
/; consumers. lie asserted. was as
! important as that of the carrier
! and added his appeal 10 the piea
sent out 10y the chamber Of cona-
nerce Of the United States that
/; purchases of coa1 under present
conditions be confined closely to
], current needs and that there be
I. no accumulation Of stocks of ccal
moving under contract or other
wise,
! If al consumers OF coal:
! whether domestic or Industrial -
| Mr.. Spens said. win calmly cen
slider this appeal aud will cooper
! ate as suggested not only Will their
current reeds be taken care of but
the result will be reflected quickly
| in the fair price Of coal, which,
today. in many sections OF the
country manifesslS exceeds q far
profit basis.
Mr.. Spens. it was announced. by
| President Harding. has only accept.
ed the office OF federal fuel dis
:liLutor for 90 days. after which
he is to return to his railroad au-
ties. The belief was expressed in
Official circles. however. that ade-
quate machinery could be set up
in that time TO have the opera
ton of the legislation we'll under
way.
Selection of the federal eoa'
commission authorized by the faei
fEdins bill, just enacted. probably
Viii not be made Tor ten days. ::
was stated at the White House.