Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-25

Washington, Aug. 24-An avenue
through which anthracite miners and
| operators might come together in
further efforts to reach a settlement
of their existing differences was pro-
vided by President Coolidge today in
the designation of Governor Pinchot
| of Pennsylvania as special mediator.
Maintaining the conviction that
suspension of hard coal production
September 1 would be suicidal to
both employee and operator. the gov
ernments action was said to be de-
signed to furnish a medium through
| which conciliatory influences on both
sides might operate without damage
| to the strategic position, or the dig
nifty of either.
After luncheon conference at the
White House, Governor Pinchot re-
| turned to Harrisburg with the an
| nounced intention of getting in touch
at once with representatives Of the
| miner and operator groups. 1t was
stated that no definite proposal had
been evolved at the White House
meeting and that Mr.. Pinchot's first
move probably would be to ascertain
4 whether any basis for further dis
| cussion exists, despite the uuequivo-
cal tenor of the statements issued at
? the conclusion Of the Atlantic City
| conference.
| Describing the relations Of Cover
| nor Pinchot to the federal commits
| sion as solely cooperative" spokcs-
man for the President pointed out
| that his selection was particularly
| happy one because the anthracite
\ fields are located almost exclusively
in Pennsylvania and because of te
/ 1ncyi CT Oof0OtIo
| thrown around the industry by state
| laws. Possibility of the Pennsyl-
| vania statutes licensing mine opera
/ lions being used in the effort to reach
| a settlement was discounted by Mr..
Pinchot, however.
. Chairman Hammond OF the coal
commission. which has been the des-
| ignatcd agency of the federal gov
crnmcnt in dealing with the anthra-
cite crisis, participated In the White
| House meeting, and. it was an
i nounced later, will cooperate heartily
with Governor Pinchot The COM
mission will furnish data and in
formation bearing on the subject to
! the Pennsylvania legislative, an ad-
ministration spokesman said. and
| will hold itself in readiness to assist
! to a further extent If its services are
| desired.
1t was said at the White House the
| injection of Governor Pinchot into the
picture should not be taken as a
change in the policy of non-interven-
| ton hitherto followed. The govern
| mcnt still holds, it was added. that a
cessation of production in the anthra-
! cite industry would be folly impos-
sible of contamination by sensible
means. The material damage which
| IN no iofo of hot h
, miners and operators. President Cool
| idge was said to feel that n tieup of
| the anthracite fields would be contrary
ito the present atmosphere of nation
al peace and harmony which leds it
self to settlement of such questions
by agreement rather than be force"
The optimistic view of the coal
crisis which has marked the govern
ment's attitude since the disruption
of the bi-party discussion was more
| pronounced tonight. A review of the
situation. made public by the coal
| commission. gave in detail the influ-
| enccs which official observers consid-
cred to he working for ultimate settle
! ment. These included the certain loss
of valuable markets and the possible
extinction of anthracite as a necessary
fuel, from the operators standpoint,
and the reduction of employment dur
ing the coming winter with the posi-
bility of extended depression, from
that of the miners.
A tieup of anthracite production, the
commission said, while not sufficient
to warrant "panicky'' forebodings,
would constitute an emergency which
| would warrant the exercise of federal
aid to supply the consumer. The state
mcnt gave latest statistics on existing
and potential stocks of substitute fuel
to show that. with federal aid in dis
tribution, every normal demand could
be met.
At the White House it was explained
that the emergency program for dis
tribution Gid not contemplate the use
OF government agencies beyond the
point of assuring transportation to the
state borders. The problem Of getting
the fuel to the home or factory and of
| rationing the individual consumers. if
that became necessary. would be left
to state authorities