New Britain herald., 1922-08-28
Still Believes it Possible to Restore Normal Con- ditions in Both Indus- tries Without Drastic Action
In Order to Speed Coal Shipments, Curtailment of Trains Is Among Pos- abilities That Are Under Consideration.

Washington, Aug. 2s (By Asso. ciated Press)-While committees of the senate and house were at work today to perfect coal distribution legislation recommended by the ad- ministration, President Harding and his advisers prepared to bring to bear all the powers they now possess for improvement of fuel transportation facilities.
 No Federal Control.
 AS result of the presidents week. end conferences it was indicated that he still believed 1t would be possible to restore normal conditions without resort to government operation of rail and coal properties affected by the strike situation, and that he felt much could be done in that direction even before congress acts to create fuel distribution agency and to clothe the interstate commerce com- mission with additional powers over priority.
 Legislative Activity.
 At the same time however, both the senate and house interstate cem- merce committees were redoublin9 their efforts to complete the distribu. ton and priority bills and steps to authorize the executive to take over roads and mines remained in tho offing with congressional opinion divided as to the advisability of such a course at the present moment.
 Coal Movement.
 With the presidents return to Washington this morning from a weekend cruise on the yacht May flower, where Secretary Hoover. Att torney General Daugherty and Chair. man Cummins of the senate commit tee were among his guests and con- ferees, it was indicated that for the time being the attention of executive officials will be centered with in- creased vigor upon what is said to be regarded by MT. Harding as the crux of the whole industrial situation-the movement of the coal.
 Coal Situation Better.
 AS outlined in an authoritative quarter the Mayfower conferences reached the conclusion that the bi- luminous coal situation was in a fair way to clear itself up entirely; that the anthracite strike showed indica- tions of settlement in the very near future and that if facilities could bo provided to accelerate shipment of the fuel supplies thus promised the general situation would be such as to enable a gradual re-esta blishment of complete stability.
 Just what executive steps are in contemplation to facilitate coal ship- ments was not revealed, but it was in- dicated that both the interstate com- merce commission and the emergency fuel distribution machinery already set up would be relied on to provide effective measures to protect the in- terests of the pubic. ..
 There were intimations that in or- der to get the maximum results of passenger, express and freight traffic in all commodities ex- cept fuel and essential foodstuffs was among the possibilities.
 Vote Cummins Bill
 With little discussion and no record vote the senate committee voted @ favorable report today on the Cum. mins bill to create a coal distribution agency and to extend the authority of the interstate commerce commission over priority of shipments and it was indicated that the measure probably would be taken up in the senate it. self later in the week. At the same time the house committee began a five hour hearing on a companion bill presented by Chairman Winslow with the intention of making a report be. fore night and bringing the bill into the house tomorrow.
 There was noticeably increased op- timism at the White House today over the anthracite situation, officials close to the president indicateing that they some agreement within 4S hours that would insure resumption of hard coal production. Their hopes were centered in the conferences in progress at Philadelphia
 More Coal Loaded
 A new high water mark for coal cadings since the strike began was by the association of rail- way eSeCOtlNeS WnOSe ngureS TOT last Friday, the latest available showed hat on that day 21, S66 cars were oaded. The highest previous total since the strike began in April was L9o43 cars on August 21. On the oasis of figures already received the association announced that loadings or the whole of last week probably exceeded 6,25o, 900 tons.
 In promptly voting approval of the and priority bill, members If the senate interstate commerce committee took the position that the whole question would have to be hreshed out on the floor of the sen- lte and that it was useless for the committee to waste time debating it.
 New Law Necessary
 Commissioner Aitchison. of the in. erstate commerce commission. c member of the presidential commit ee now conducting the informal coal control system, told the house com-