The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-08-11
Emergency Powers
May Be ResoI:ted To
To Stay Coal Price
Government Likely to Compel
Operators to Cooperate
With Fuel Organization
Declared That Price Agree
ments Have Been Broken
In Several Districts
Now Proposed to Regulate
Car Supply in Order to
Compel Square Deal

Washington. Aug. lo.--Cse OF the
emergency powers OF the interstate
Commerce Commission 10 bring into
line coal operators who are falling 10
cooperate with the federal fuel Gr-
ganizatton in the control OF prices, was
under considera tion today by the CEN
trai coal committee.
The governments defense against
price advances above the maximum
charges agreed upon by producing op-
orators with Secretary Hoover was de-
clared to lie in the powers o. tho In
terstate Commerce Commission TO al
locate coal cars so that mines boosting
prices would be without transportation
facilities
Department OF justice officials, with
the federal fuel organization, were said
10 have advised the committee that the
commits ssion had ample authority under
the law 10 so distribute cars 20 the
mines as 10 effectively control the.7
charges. The question to be deteru7in-
ed. II vas understood. was whether
the commission would exercise the en-
ergency powers 10 their full extent.
Discussion OF such a step waN said ~
have beer begun with the central com
mittee
Operators Break Agreement.
Alabama operators. Mr.. Hoover an
nounced today have broken away from
the fair price agreements made with
him and. he added, Governor Kilby OF
Alabama will be asked TO take steps
10 protect consumers m that state
against rising prices.
Operators in other districts are show
ing signs OF slipping from their stand
with the fair price program. 1t was said
by the committee. Inquiry is being
made. Mr.. Hoover said, as to what ac-
ton the federal organization can take
IN cases whore operators failed TO CO.
operate N the matter OF price control
In some states. he said organization
against rrofitcertng is going forward
vigorously. but in other states II has
not progressed as rapidly as desired.
Tho New England states. New York and
Massachusetts,, he asserted. were taking
care of thew holep roblem OF emer-
gency fuel distribution vigorously.
1T is case Of how much pressure
is being brought to bear IN the states'
Mt Hoover declared
Car supply Improving.
Railroad service out OF theproducing
cosl fields. he asserted. was steadily
i'm Improving. and car supply had I'M
proved steadily during the past wv
weeks as a result Of the priority system
established by the federal organization
A plea for assistance in getting the
anthracite coal producing regions back
to production was made today by =. u
Warriner and ". J. Richards. represent
ing the general policy committee or al
anthracite operators. They were pre-
sented TO President Harding by Senator
pepper oc Pennsylvania Secretary
Hoover and Chairman Iasker or the
shipping board also were In the eecu-
tive offices during presentation.
Mr. Warrincr. as chairman or the an
thracitc operators. told the President
that the resumption nf work in the an
.hracitc region was being prevented be-
cause IN" miners union and the oitu-
minous coal operators had been unable
10 agree on wage scales.