The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-04
Advisabi|ity of Nationalizing the Mines and Prevention of Future Fuel Shortages Points to Be Determined
 After Mission Is Completed
MARSHALL, HAM M0ND AND
 HOWELL ARE TO COME
Distinguished Visitors Not to Seek Testimony of Operators
 and Miners and It Is Learned That No QueStionnaires
 Have Been Sent to This City

nave 0eell Scill tU lIilS Clty
 Former Vice President 1rrunas R. Marshall John Hays Hammond and Clark Howell, members of the finding coal commission, trav- cling from different directions, will converge on Birmingham Tuesday, according to dispatches from The Age Herald bureau correspondent in Washington Saturday night.
 The commissions visit to Bir- mingham is in connection with an endeavor to solve the problem of supply and demand of coal in order that there might be no future coal shortage and to determining the ad- visibility of nationanzfng the coal mines.
 The distinguished members of the commission are coming to the Bir- mingham district to make an inspec- tion of the coal fields. It was learned officially in Washington Saturday night that no question naires have been sent to the Bir- mingham district.
 MT. Hammond told The Age Herald correspondent that nothing approaching an itinerary had been devised. The commission. MT. Ham, mond explained purposely re- trained from mapping out a pro- gram in advance so that it could be guided by circumstances and events.
 No Testimony Sought.
 No testimony from operators or miners will be sought. and, as ex- plained above. no questionnaires district. The Washington dispatch continues:
 The commission on an original appropriation of $200,000, which was increased today when the President signed new legislation by an addi- tfonal S400.00o, is endeavoring to solve the problem of supply and de- mand in order that there might not be other coal shortages and to de- termine the advisability of national izing the coal mines.
 The money will be expended in paying experts, clerical assistants and expenses.
 Bill Opposed by Most of Delegation.
 
 additional s4o0, 900 was bitterly op- posed by the majority of the Ala bama delegation, if not the majority of the democratic membership of the House. Only Representative Hud- dleston of the Ninth district favored it. although Representatives Almon or the Eighth and Rainey of the seventh refrained from voting.
 Leading the attack, Representa- tive Bankhead of the Tenth district declared his conviction on tho floor that Information being acquired by the fact-finding commission had al ready been acquired by the federal trade commission and other govern mental agencies and could by in anstry and inteiligence' be compiled at cost not exceeding sl0.00O."
 Four bedrooms and d par1or haya been engaged at the Tutwiler hotel Tor the party, announcement of whose coming was made exclusively last Sunday by The Age-Herald. Social Functions Eschewed.
 R. l. Totten, president of the Ala b9ma Technical society, has received letter from Mir Hammond declining with regret an invitation to be guest at dinner in his honor to be given by the organization. He declared the commission will be fully occupied while here with investiga- tion work.
 Interest In the visit of the com- mission members has been accentu- ated by wage advance announce .nents by the Tennessee company and other open shop operators, effective March b. and the attitude of the union miners in claiming that the advance still leaves wages in Alabama be- low the base laid down In the New York agreement between operators and miners
 All the more interest Is attached to the miners view when it is re- called that 1t was largely due to the personal investigation and efforts of Mr. Hammond and other members of the commission that the recent difficulties in the northern coal fields were settled by adoption of thls agreement
 Welcome Extended Party.
 Open shop operators and the union miners express equal satisfaction that the commissioners are coming and reiterate announced intention to supply all information desired by the commission members. Both. sides claim all cards will be placed on the table, with all pertinent facts made clear.
 Interest was expressed in coal cir cles Saturday in the administration hill proposing to enlarge powers of the coal commission by allowing it te send out questionnaires and com Tel attendance of witnesses and ap- propriating s40o,0eO for carrying on the work. Under the bill federal judges will be eligible to the com mission. Operators and union minerE representatives said they favor giv- ing the commission all the power needed to get at the facts underlying the industry.