The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-28
THEM
IN SECRET:
SESSION
Engineer Commissioner VIII
Take Up Local Problem on
Return From N. Y.

Major ]. Franklin Bell, En-
gineer Commissioner, has met and
talked with Washington's pTinci-
pal coal dealers and is hopeful
they will cooperate with the Dis
trict Commissioners Il IN emery
ency arises this winter.
Star Chamber Session.
Briefly. this sums up the results
Of the star chamber session Of the
Coal Merchants Board Of Trade held
In the city Club yesterday after
noon. Newspaper reporters were
barred.
Major Bell met the coal men
personally" Il, o. Kinsinger. sec
rotary Of the board. explained today.
cit was an informal conference 1t.
tended by tbirty-four Of the coal
dealers"
Kinsinger said beyond that. noth'
ing happened at the meeting.
RtlmOrs Of Break"
Rumors were circulated in Wash.
ington today that IL an emergency
arisss next winter the ceal dealers
here viii not cooperate TO the same
extent they did last year. Some Of
them are said to be "peeved" b.
cause one or two dealers ere alleged
to have broke" last year and
ignored the coal commission theFe-
by securing more business than
those who were abiding by the com.
missions regulation.
81 am quite sure that reports IN.
true" Kinsinger said.
"WiIl the dealers cooperate ~
they did last year?" he was asked,
"Weil, the dealers haven't taken
that question up yet" he replied.
They are not going to cross any
bridges until they come to them"
Hope for Settlement.
When Major Bell returns from
New York, where he is attending
the conference Of governors repre-
sentatives TO consider coal substi-
tutes in the event OF an anthracite
shortage, he viii so into conference
Immediately with the District Com.
missioners.
GAS soon as we get the situation
well in hand we prCpably will foF-
mulata some proposition to present
to the coal mens "Connissioner
James r. Oyster said today.
There is nothing we can DO now
but keep in close touch with the
situation. We are hoping that the
differences between the coal miners
and operators will be settled and
strike averted."
Anxious to have legal authority
to control coal distribution In
emergencies, the District Comnais.
sioners win send to Congress next
December . bill giving the Com
missioners power to act In q fuel
shortage.
At present, the Commissioner
can only depend On the cc-opera-
ton Of the dealers.
Seek Further Powers.
The Commissioners want Congress
to give them powers which will
enable them to take over the work
OF distributing coal whenever an
arises.
"If this bill is passed, the Conf
will then be able, when
necessary. to pass regulations which
GANSA SNg911
one District official said yesterday.
The bill would also give the Com
power to set and enforce
q 'tfaAr price"
Former Engineer Commissioner
Charles Keller. who had charge OF
coal distribution last year, was
in favor of giving the Com
legal power to act in
When the conference of govern
ors opens In New York today to
consider the coal situation, the Dis
trict Of Columbia will be represent
ed by Engineer Commissioner J..
Franklin Bell and Walter c. Allen.
executive secretary Of the Public
Utilities Commission.
Discusses Shortage.
Other than acting as interested
spectators" the local representa-
lives are expected to take no part
In the conference. They are not
to speak.
District officials are hopeful that
gained at this confer.
snce will be valuable to the Dist
rict in the event a coal strike
SomeS.
Marshall Hall Joust.