New-York tribune., 1922-09-23
Harding Calls
On Railroads
To Rush Coal
Asks Concentration for 80
Days ON Transportation
OF Fuel; Says Drive Will
Provide Ample Supply
Objects to Price Fixing
Writes Fuel Distributor
Cooperation of States
Can Prevent Pro6feering

WASHINGTON, Sept. % (By The
lssoeisted Press).-The entire operat-
,se personnel of the railways of the
,ountry was called upon to-day by
resident Harding for a concentrated
srsve" for thirty days to provide the
transportation facilities necessary to
uset the national coal emergency.
In letter to Conrad e. Spens, vice
cresident Of the Chicago, Burlington
4 Quincy Railroad, who was named
,o.aav as Federal Fuel Distributor
uuaer the coal distribution and anti
rro6teering act, the President declared
that if the enthusiastic attention of
sbe railroads could be stimulated for
4 month on the movement of coal and
handling Of empty cars, I'VE could solve
the coal situation, not only as to
ample supply, but prices would be
quickly readjusted."
The President suggested that Mr..
Spsns take up with the Governors Of
he various states the question of the
prevention OF extorton, as the new
sct is limited to coal moving in inter-
state commerce only.
Loath to Fix Prices
tie Federal government Mr..
Hnding said, sis loath to undertake
b fix definite prices for coal, becaus
II the Objectionable character of such
nservention In peace times, because
II the difficulty in arriving at fair
Tees without giving undue favor to
ene and loss to others, and also be-
uuse of the incompleteness of an All
-eority which is only supplementary
+. state action. On the other hand. I
wish you to set up such agencies as
sill vigorously follow up individuals
ming facilities of interstate commerce,
sho are exacting extortion, as defined
h the act, in order that we may have
relief from such practices at the
arliest moment"
Arrangements for the distribution
and control of anthracite prices, the
President declared, have been salts
iaetorly established in cooperation
With state authorities and operators.
Spens Asks Public Aid
Mr.. Spens said tonight he was as
yet unprepared to announce definite
plans for the administration of his
rev office, but he invited the cooper
alton Of the entire public to the solu-
ton Of the coal situation.
IF all consumers of coal. whether
domestic or Industrial" Mr.. Spens said.
will calmly consider the appeal to
tonfne purchases to current needs and
will cooperate as suggested, not only
will their current needs be taken care
Of but the result will be reflected
quickly in the fair price of coal, which
to-day in many sections OF the country
manifestly exceeds q fair profit basis.
"7lhe Admins stration is not suggest
ing that the operator in coal shall sell
. his coal at cost. Nor is it suggesting
that he should sell his coal at less
than cost. The Administration is, how
yer Indicating, and the present act
'tConsress contemp!ates, that he shall
sell his<coal on a basis that viii not
ysd abnormal profit In other words,
nst ne shall not take an undue ad-
'iataee Of the present unfortunate
eesaoInlc situation."
Ssection of the Federal Coal Com
ih,ssion, authorized by the fact-tinding
Nl Just enacted, probably will not be
nade for ten days, it was stated Off
aally to-day at the White House.
The President, it was said, is willing
spermit operators and miners in both
ne bituminous and anthracite fields,
they desire, to submit a panel of
sfsons whom they believe should be
sppointed. Mr.. Harding is understood
De inclined to make some of his
Reetions from such states.