Evening star., 1923-07-09
SEES LEGISLATION
ON COAL REPORT
Curtis Says Congress Prob.
ably Will Turn Suggestions
Into Laws.

Legislation along the lines sug-
gested by the United States Coal Com
mission in it's report dealing with the
anthracite coal situation was pre-
iicted today by Senator Curtis OF
Kansas, republican whip of the SEN
ate.
Senator Curtis said that he was glad
the commission had gone so thor
oughly into the coal situation; that
he regarded the problem presented In
the coal industry as one of the great
est which the next Congress has to
solve. He said he hoped a bin would
be introduced embodying the recon-
mendations of the commission.
The Kansas senator expressed par
ticular interest in the suggestions or
the coal commission that the Presi-
dent should be given authority to de-
clare a national emergency in case the
mines should be shut down and oper-
ate them, and that there should be
the fullest kind of publicity OF costs
and returns from the production or
coal.
1t is known that Senator Curtis
believes in vigorous action by the
government to protect the people from
coal famines and from exorbitant
prices for fuel.
Could Call Session.
While Congress does not assemble
in regular session until next Decem-
ber, 1t was pointed out today that
if there was a failure of agreement
between the coal operators and the
miners on wage scales, and resuitant
shutdown of the mines, the President
could summon Congress In speciai
session at any time to deal with the
Il. hn
the event that prices of coal were
found to be inordinately high.
In some quarters the suggestion
was made today that If there should
be a strike in the anthracite coal
mines this summer and fall, the Pres
ident should act promptly to compel
the operation of the mines. even II ne
. had to use the Army to do so. and
that he should seek legislation from
Congress after II assemblies In De
in the event of a shut down or the
mines, the President would call Con-
gress together and obtain legislation
before acting.
May Make Issue.
The summoning of Congress to deal
with the coal situation in the event
conditions become worse, Is regarded
as a wise political move on the part
of the administration. The country,
particularly New England, was 80
aroused over the situation brought
about by the strike last fall, that the
democratic opponents Of the admin
istration are counting upon that as
an issue in the coming campaign.
There are some members or Con.
gress, however, to whom the report
of the coal commission, proposing
government operation of the mines
in an emergency declared by the
President, came as distinct shock.
They regard the report as decidedly
sr all n
the members holding this opinion are
decidedly in the minority. With New
England members Of Congress
aroused-where the people are more
conservative than in other parts Of
the country. generally speaking-it
is believed that those from the west,
middle west and parts of the south
will join In Fastening Legislation such
as proposed by. the commission.
Commission Conservative.
1t was pointed out today that the
members of the coal commission
may be generally regarded as con-
servative. The commission Is not
made up of radically inclined men.
The fact that the commission has
gone 80 far in its. recommendations
has led to the opinion that the situa-
tion demands attention without de-
lay.
Senator Borah of Idaho Is chair
man of the Senate committee on edu-
Washington several weeks ago the
Idaho senator said he would work on
a plan of legislation to meet the coal
situation. The coal commission to-
day was created through measure
introduced by the Idaho senator.
While the report of the coal commits
sion, made public yesterday, dealt
only with anthracite mines, and It's
report on the bituminous coal indus
try will be made later, 1t is believed
that the commission will make SIM
liar recommendations regarding the
taking over of the mines in an
emergency and the publicity of costs
and returns in its report on the BIZ
it was pointed out, that different
remedies would be offered for two In
dustries that provide fuel for the
people.