Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-07
CALL FOR COOLIDGE
COAL PEACE ACTION
BEATEN IN SENATE
Copeland Resolution, Asking
Presidential Move. SheIved
by Vote of 43 to 38.
G. O. P. MEMBERS DENY
FUEL EMERGENCY NOW
Congress Power to Act in Anthra-
cite Dispute Is Questioned
by Bruce.
ebate on the coal strike assumed

Debate on the coal strike assumed
such proportions in the Senate yes
ter,fay that it nearly resulted in lay
Ing aside the tax bill To consider the
Copeland resolution. which would re-
quest the President to endeavor to
bring about Il settlement.
Even after the Senate had voted AZ
L. IS not To diSplace The tax bill the
coal strike question was revived later
ia the afternoon, with Senator Cope
land Democrat, of New York deplor-
Ing his inability to get action and Sen
atur eddie, Republican. of Nevada de-
ciaring that in his opinion Il national
emergency does not exist as long as
hituminouS coal is available in album
dance.
After the vote had been taken the
Senate resumed work on the tax bill
until shortly before adjournment,
when Senator Copeland once more
took the floor and Chided the Senate
for having consumed l hour and 55
minutes considering an amendment to
the tax bill to tighten the fire insur-
ance tax of the farmers by approx
mately $4,000 and at the same time
declining to take up the coal ques-
ton
Cites Miners Wage Laws.
Senator Copeland declared he was
glad the Senate granted this relief to
the farmers. but said he wanted to
let the country know that the Sen
ate was not willing to relieve people
who are affected by the coal strike.
The loss in wages from one day Of the
coal strike he said. exceeded a mil
lion dollars, which figure he compared
to the amount of relief granted the
farmers by the amendment to the tax
bill agreed to yesterday.
The Senator then referred to COM
ment he had heard that New York
Democrats are playing politics" on the
coal question. We don't have TO play
politics" he said
The President has no reason to be-
lieve the~Senate wants the strike set
tied, but | have no doubt that if we
pass this resolution he would be glad
to do il. If the President of the
United States cannot bring about arbi-
tration. nobody cam" he declared.
Senator Harrison, Democrat. Of
Mississippi. at this point inquired of
Senator eddie, Republican, as to the
status of the coal legislation pending
before the committee on mines and
mining, which would carry out the
recommendations of the President in
his annual message to Congress.
Reveals Bills Status.
Senator Oddie replied he had re-
ferred the bill to the Secretary of
Commerce for report, as Is customary,
and had not received the report. Sen
at
that several weeks ago, during a
previous debate, he had expressed the
conviction that it would not be wise
To press for action on general coal
legislation during this unfortunate
controversy
Senator Oddie declared he sympa-
thized with any people who are suffer
ing. but added he did not believe "a
national emergency exists as long as
there is an abundance of bituminous
coal available. ;"
senator Reed, Republican, Of Penn
sNlvania read into the record tele-
gram he had received. telling of the
availability of an ample. supply of
bituminous coal, in answer to the
statement of Senator Copeland that
people in New England were suffering
from lack of fuel.
Thinks State Should Act.
Senator King, Democrat, of Utah
brought the discussion to a close by
voicing the view that the legislature
of Pennsylvania, rather than Con
gress. has the power, and is the logical
agency to deal with the anthracite
strike.
The resolution which Senator Cope
land has been trying to have adopted
merely would be an appeal to the
President, but Senator Robinson of
Arkansas. minority leader, introduced
bill yesterday which would empower
the President to declare the existence
OF an emergency during such a strike
as the present one. The bill also would
provide for a board of industrial adj
iustment. which could function only
when the President declared an emer-
Gency. This board would hold hear
ings. inquire into the causes of the
strike and endeavor to bring about ar
bitration. At the request of Senator
Robinson the bill was referred to the
committee on education and labor.
In submitting the mea sure Senator
Robinson said he was aware that some
persons feel it would be better to al
low the miners and operators to fight
the issue to a finish in the belief there
would not be a recurrence. The Sena-
tor recalled, however, that the pros
pect of a coal strike has become an an
Dudl cause OIL dldT1n Ill recent years
and that he does not believe Congress
is justified in refraining from taking
some action.
Questions Congress Power.
Senator Bruce, Democrat. of Mary
land questioned whether Cong ess has
power under the Constitution TO deal
with the coal situation.
When Senator Copeland made the
motion yesterday afternoon to take
up his resolution, Senator Edge, Re
publican, of New Jersey, moved to
lay it on the table. BY vote of Al
To 80 the Senate declined to lay the
question on the table. After declin-
ing to table the motion, the Senate
then reversed Itself by voting 43 to
80 not to consider the Copeland reso-
ltiOn.
Senators voting to take up the Cope
land resolution:
Democrats-Ashurst, Arizona; Bay
ard, Delaware; Blease, South Caro-
lima; Broussard. Louisiana; Bruce,
Maryland; Caraway. Arkansas; Cope
land, New York: Dill, Washington;
Edwards. New Jersey: Ferris, Michi-
gan; George, Georgia; Gerry, Rhode
Island: Harris, Georgia; Harrison,
Mississippi; Hef1in, Ala ALBANIA: Ken
drick, Wyoming: Mcclellan. Tennessee;
Mayfeld Texas: overman. North
Continued on Fase 6. Column 81