Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-13
President Undecided on Me-
cessity for Calling New
Congress Now.
REPORT ON COAL STRIKE
GIVEN CABINET MEETING
Plenty of Fuel Available for Win
ter, Says Secretary Davis,
at Session.

President Coolidge let It be known
today that before he comes to any
definite conclusion regarding the pro-
posal to summon Congress in ad-
vance of, The regular meeting time
he Is desirous of comforting with more
party leaders.
While discussing this subject today
the President was represented as
being undecided and gave the appear
ance of wanting the views of consid-
erably more persons than he already
has talked to on the subject. N
Decision in Balance.
Although he has taken the matter
up with very few leaders since return.
ing to Washington, he was represent
ed as saying that those with whom he
has discussed it are opposed to the
proposition--AIIe made it apparent,
however, that despite the emphatic
manner in which Senator Curtis Of
Kansas and Representative Tilson Of
Connecticut. Republican leaders Of the
Senate and House, voiced their op-
position to an early session, that he
has~not fallen in line entirely with
their viewpoint and that he is still
open to argument.
Whether or not the President re-
ceived any views on this question from
the members of his cabinet when he
met with them today was not indi-
Gated during his discussion of the
extra session proposal. The cabinet
session was the first held by the Presi-
dent since returning to Washington.
Probably the most important piece of
news the President received was the
report from Secretary of Labor Davis
that the bituninous coal strike in IL
linois has practically been settled and
that plans to end the strike in In.
diana are more than 55 per cent COM
plete. The Secretary of Labor report
ed also that there is plenty of bitumi-
nous coal on the ground at this time,
which removes any danger of a
scarcity in the near future.
Ship Lines Discussed.
During a discussion Of the sugges-
ton made by Z. NJ. Hurley of Chi
cago, former head of the Shipping
Board, relative to the ownership Of
the American shipping lines by the
railroads of this country, President
Coolidge indicated that he considered
able thought on the part OF the Gov
ernment. He was represented as say
ing, however, that before making up
his mind on the matter he would first
want to make q study to determine
to what extent the public would be
benefited by the ownership and opera
ton Of the merchant marine by the
railroads. The President indicated
that he supposed the principal objec-
tion to the railroads taking over the
American merchant marine would be
to the possibility of the removal Of
competition. He recalled that this
was the cause which brought about
the enforcement Of railroads owning
and operating shipping lines in the
past. He thought also there would be
some objection on the ground that
those railroads which would not be
owning ships would be lacking in
shipping opportunities, and would
probably be embarrassed when they
had freight to ship across the ocean.
The President, however, made 1t
very plain that he feels that there
should be more interest manifested in
this country in he American mer-
chant marine. In his opinion, the
main difficulty with the American
merchant marine today. is the In
difference on the part Of American
shippers and American importers be-
cause of indisposition to insist that
the goods bought and sold by them be
carried in American bottoms.
Railroads Criticised.
The President also was represented
as criticising the railroads of the
United States for their Indifferent at
titude toward the efforts of the Gov
ernment to build up a merchant ma
rine He recalled a conference held
with railroad officials several years
ago, when the matter Of their assist
ance in building up the merchant ma
rine was asked, when the railroad men
were quite indifferent on the subject,
and that throughout the Govern
ment's attempt to promote its mer-
chant marine the railroads have
shown no disposition to insist on u.s.
ing American ships in sending freight
abroad.
The President believes, however.
that if the railroads own and operate
the American ships that it would be
a different story then. They would
see to it that all of their freight was
sent in American bottoms. Although
this prospect is an argument in favor
of the railroads owning the ships, the
President is convinced that the ques-
ton of keeping open competition must
be borne in mind before any decision
is reached.