Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-07
FEDERAL CONTROL
PROPOSED AS AID
TO COAL INDUSTRY
Leading Operators in West
Virginia and Pennsylvania
Withhold Comment.
0vERPR0DUCTION HELD
CHIEF CAUSE OF TROUBLE
Pittsburgh Man Suggests Govern
ment Hold Undeveloped Lands
as Reserve.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
PITTSBURGH, August IA remedy
prescribed for the ills of the bituminous
coal industry, diagnosed chiefly as over
production, held the attention of opera
disclosure that proposal for Govern
ment regulation of the business is under
consideration.
A majority of the leading owners and
Western Pennsylvania and West Vir-
ginia withheld comment pending an
nouncement of the plan in full.
However, other operators ventured
that the plan suggested solution of
the problem of overproduction, which
would clear the way for adjustment of
wages and working conditions, major
factors in the numerous walkouts in
recent months.
To Discuss U. S. Regulation.
Today Northern West Virginia opera
tors let it be known they we're prepar-
ing for a meeting Monday night at
which they would discuss the suggestion
that the Government regulate the in
Ciustry as public utility"
1t was learned authoritatively THAT
J. d. A. Morrow, president of the Pitts
burgh Coal Co., largest commercial
producer of soft coal in the world, had
suggested Government regulation at the
recent conferences of Secretaries La
mont and Doak with group of opera
tors in Washington.
Morrow's suggestion, it was said, in
cluded proposal that certain mines be
withdrawn from production, these prop
critics, together with undeveloped coal
lands, to be taken over by the Gov
ernment and held as coal reserves.
Samuel Pursglove, president of the
Pittsburgh Terminal Coal Corporation,
second largest producer in the Pitts
burgh district, said of the proposal
1T always was my idea Of what
should be done"
He added, however. he had not at
tended any meeting at which SUCK a
proposal was discussed.
J. H. jenkins, Fairnlont, w. Va,
president II the Hutchinson Coal Co.,
said he believed sucn y plan was de-
sirabie
Gov. Pinchot Is Silent.
In Harrisburg, Gov. clifford Pinchot
declined to comment,
John L. Lewis, president of the United
Mine Workers of America. said at
Indianapolis that he wanted to see
copies Of the full plan before COM
menting.
Philip Murray. international vice
president of the United Mine Workers,
said the coal industry needs system
Of Federal control that would curtail
production, stabilize prices, guarantee
a greater continuity of operating time,
higher wages and better working con-
ditions.
.sThe United Mine Workers suggested
such a plan of Federal regulation TO
the last session Of Congress and to sew
eral sessions of Congress prior to the
last one but received no support from
the coal operators as whole" Muir
ray said.
II have argued for 10 years that the
coal industry should be regulated by a
Government commission similar to the
Interstate Commerce Commission with
respect to railroads" Pursgiove stated.
II have discussed the proposition before
the National Coal Association.
1T has met with the same treatment
the proposal for commission 10 reeu-
late the railroads was first received.
Many opposed IL. The railroads today
viii tell you they couldn't get along
without Government regulation.
I'VE cannot hope for repeal Of the
antitrust laws to permit us to fix
prices, but a Government commission
could do all this No doubt, If such
a commission were established mergers
would take place. and many smaller
companies absorbed. with beneficial ef-
feet TO the coal industry"