Evening star., 1925-08-26
COOLIDGE STAND
IN COAL WAR FIRM
--- =
Confident There Will Be No
Suffering if Mines Are
Shut Down.
BY !. RUSSELL YOUNG.
STAFF Correspondent Of The star.


dence Of becoming wider and the pros
poets of a settlement Of differences
before the time set for A cessation Of
operations in the Pennsylvania fields
growing more dismal. President Cool
idge today gives no indication of bring
ing about Government intervention.
The President today received the
news from HaZleton. Pa. that the
mine operators had elected the offer
Of the miners TO resume negotiations
with his usual calm. and without com
ment. His intimates say he has no
intention OF allowing the Government
10 he drs wn into the dispute. In his
opinion both parties should realize
fully that now public opinion is
against them. and that II they fail t."
settle their differences neither side
will have public support.
Those who know him say he is
being kept we'll informed of the whole
situa ton and they feel satisfied that
the miners and operators will COM
pose their own differences. without
attempting to force matters hv hav.
ing the government step in.
Public Comfort Chief Concern.
President Coolidse's principal con
cern is regarding the safety and com.
fort OF the public. In this respect il il
pointed out by his associates that he
is confident that the public will be
amply protected if there is cessation
of operation in the anthracite fields.
The President. although maintain.
ing a stand pat attitude toward the
miners and operate in arriving at
an agreement, has let be known that
he intends to protect the public in
terests when the time comes. If nee.
eSsary, as a result of a possible strike.
President Coolidge will then bring into
play every agency of the Federal
Government TO provide fuel supply.
Just how far he will go in carrying
out this declaration is only a matter
of speculation.
1t is agreed that the President g
avowed determination to have the
Federal Government do everything
within its power TO supply the public
with coal in the event the supplies
run low. and there is suffering is
about the broadest statement he has
made since the matter of a possible
coal strike arose. However. no one
about the President was willing today
10 attempt any Interpretation of what
the Government keep up an adequate
supply of fuel. Mr.. Coolidge himself
does not see f1t at this time to show
his hand.
Advices the President has been re-
ceiVing from cabinet officers. who
have been keeping abreast of the coal
situation, and other departmental Of
ficers, as we'll as from John Hays
Hammond, who was chairman of the
Presidents fact finding coal commits
sion two years ago. assure him that
there is at least four months supply
of anthracite fuel on hand. Mr.. Cool
idge has been told that never before
have the consumers of anthracite
coal been in q better position on the
eve Of threatened coal strike.
Strike. II Called. Minimized.
Although the President has all
along professed a belief that the
miners and operators would compose
their differences in time to avert a
strike, he is known to he Of the
opinion that If there is strike it
will be Of short duration. because OF
the large supply of coal on hand and
because Of the great increase in the
use of substitute fuels.
In the event of strike the Presi.
dent is understood to feel that the
use Of substitutes. all Of which must
be taken into consideration by the
warning parties. who will seriously
damage the anthracite market. with
q subsequent lesSening of employment
for miners. II is thought that Presi-
dent Coolidge and those advising him
are banking much on this phase of
the situation to bring the miners and
operators together before a strike is
of
The President at noon today con
ferred with James J. Storrow. q Bos.
Ton banker, who was fuel administra-
tor Tor New England during the coal
strike two years ago. and who was
associated with the Governments fuel
administration during the latter days
of the war. Mr.. Storrow's intention
was to make known TO the President
the exact situation in New England.
where anthracite coal is very widely
used. and where the pinch of a short.
age would first be felt
Approves Conference.
MIR. Coolidge approves of the con.
ference of New England governors
called by Gov. Fuller, and places much
confidence in the statement made 10
the executives by Mr.. Hammond. who.
the President thinks. is as well in
formed on the coal industry as any
man in the United States
Clarence W. Barron publisher of
financial papers, who was a caller at
White Court yesterday. informed the
President that the threat Of a coal
strike was worrying Wall street not
at all. and believes that there could
he no better time for q show down in
the industry. Anthracite. said Mr.
Barron, is luxury enjoyed mainly in
New England, and he agreed with Mr..
Hammond that both miners and opera
tors would lose their principal market
by their foolish tactics.
Davis Prepares to Act.
Secretary Davis Of the Labor De
partment, returning to Washington
today from a siX-week trip abroad. i'm
mediately went into conference with
Hugh l.. kerwin. the Departments
director of conciliation. to acouaint
himself with the present status of the
anthracite controversy.
Throughout the negotiations in
Atlantic City between the miners and
operators the Cancellation Bureau has
had observers on the ground and has
made up complete report for the in
formation of Secretary Davis
The conference today revived rumors
that the Federal Government might
take hand to prevent a tie-up when
the present wage contract expires
August 81. but there was nothing OF
an official character to support such a
supposition.
Operators to Hear Plea.
WILKES BARRE. Pa, August 2G
R).--Anthracite operators will meet
the citizens ''no-strike" committee
here this afternoon to hear its appeal