The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-30
COOLIDGE SEES AN
 URGENT NEED ID. GUT RAIL RATES
President, However, Believed To Be Moved More For
 Political Effect
WASHINGTON BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HERALD NVashingfOn n C <Aur %

The advisers of the Coolidge ad ministration have informed the President it is learned in an eX- elusive interview with an outstand- ing republican senator today, that in another session of Congress some thing must be devised to prevent the ever-recurring danger of strikes in the coal fields, and railroad rates. for the benefit of the farmer, must be reduced.
 It was clearly indicated in the in- terview that the alleged necessity for such action was not due to any merit such undertakings might have within themselves, but rather to the political effect of such legislation. It was declared, and the President has been informed, that unless con ditions are improved in the two re- spects indicated, nothing could pre- vent government control and opera tion of railroads and coal mines splitting the country, in the form of campaign issues, next year.
 The intimation was clear that no adviser of the Coolidge administra- ton adhered to the idea that even if conditions grew worse either of the major parties would adopt a control and ownership plank in their plat forms. But, it was said, the con- tinued existence of the problem gave the discontented west an example at which to point, and an excuse for the radicals" to continue their fu- rore which "is dangerous for the soli- darity of the republican party"
 Aggressive Opposition.
 Irrespective of the motives behind the movement to improve conditions respecting railroads and coal mining, it will be regarded as interesting and important that those two ques- tions, involving the right of indi Nyidt 1c cnllRNfiXn1V will be formally considered. Against reduction of rates, the railroads, 1t is anticipated, will move aggressive ly, and in other sessions of Con- gress railroads have been able to prove by figures of the interstate commerce commission that their earnings have not been in keeping with their expenses. Balanced against the railroads will be the farmers and shippers of the country sustained by the farm bloc and the American Farm Bureau federation.
 Labor, moving through it's chief organization, the American Fedora tion, and all subsidiaries, will resent any movement to curb present lati- tudes presenting opportunities to strike, and will term such move ments efforts to prevent American citizens exercising their inaiienable rights This fact will doubtless ar ray labor against the Coolidge ad- ministration if the administration, acting on advice, stands stanchly for statutes preventing danger of coal famine every winter. Labor. however, as is recalled, through it's leaders, at least. opposed the repub- licans in 1920, futilely. MT. Coolidge, further, having achieved the Presi- dency on fame acquired in defying labor in Boston. Is said to be willing again to run risks if it should be regarded by him as necessary.
 Organized labor is formally on record favoring government owner fship of railroads and coal mines It is the opinion of@conservative poli- ticians in Washington that such sen tir1ient increases, and rapidly in creases, in the west. where the voices of Senators LaFollette, Brookhar;, Magnus Johnson and others carry great weight
 To check that sentiment before it makes inroads into the inner cir es ot the two great parties, is the avowed purpose of those who would undertake to reduce railroad rates and make coal mining friction less easy of development, in another ses- sion of Congress.