Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-30
COAL LAW BOON
SEEN BY GUFFEY
Miners and Operators Near
End of Long Affection,
Radio Forum Told.
continued From Thirteenth Paee)


CONTINUED From Thirteenth Page)
mean one thing return by all own
ers and operators to the previous cut
throat and INSCRIPTIONS competition
with Its resulting wasteful mining
operations, cutting of wages, receiver
ships, etc.
Having first-hand knowledge of
these failings of the owners and op-
orators, knowing of the misery and
hardships with which the miners and
their dependents were faced, and
feeling that this industry and this
natural resource could only be saved
and made available to the American
public through direct action by Con-
gress, undertook to prepare and have
enacted into law the necessary legisla-
ton. This effort has terminated in the
enactment Of what is known as the
uffey-Snyder bituminous coal bill.
The, legislation was formulated for
The purpose of curing the evils which
have played havoc with this industry
so that the owners and operators
might make fair profit on their in
Vestments; so that the miners who
toll to produce this valuable product
might receive fair wages and they and
their dependents might enjoy decent
living conditions; and so that the
consumers-the great American pub
lic-might always have a dependable
supply of fuel at reasonable prices.
The legislation, in my Judgment. will
accomplish these detectives through
its provisions for sterilization, CO.
operative marketing, conservation and
taxes.
Commission to Function.
This law provides for the appoint
ment Of a national coal commission
by the President, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate
The commission will regulate and
manage the industry in the interest
and for the welfare of the entire
Nation, but as private enterprise and
with due regard for consumer, in
weston and workman. Working under
the commission and subject to its
authority at all times will be district
boards consisting of duly elected rep
resentatives of the producers, market
ing agencies and labor Thus, the
plan is most practical in that the
commission will have under it and
cooperating with it, practical coal
men-operators and miners-who have
q complete knowledge of the business.
This insureS intelligent and successful
administration.
These district boards will be or
gained with the aid of the commits
sion, and it will be their function to
Ak minimum prices as provided for in
the bill.
Generally speaking, each district
board will be supreme in its district,
but subject, of course, to the approval
Of its actions by the commission.
Where district boards are required to
act in conjunction with other district
boards, as in fixing minimum prices,
the commission may and will take
steps to avoid conflicting action by
such boards. Producers and all par
ties in interest are given the right to
appeal to the commission from any
action of the district boards. Appeals
from even orders Of the commission
itself may be taken in courts of APP
peals.
Uniform Account Systems.
The boards in fixing minimum
prices must take into consideration
wages, operating costs, sales profits,
losses and the like. This will not be
O difficult task because wages, which
consume IS per cent of all coal pro-
duction costs, will be definitely known
at all times and the commission will
compel producers to maintain uniform
systems of accounting covering costs.
The methods of determining these
prices are specifically set forth in the
bill and must be followed by the dis
trict boards. In addition, the prices ar
rived at by the district boards must
be confirmed by the commission be-
fore they become effective. If the
commission does not agree with the
prices proposed by the boards, it is
obligated to modify or disapprove
them. The ultimate result will be
that prices fair to all concerned will
NC
. The bill provides for the formation
OF code and contains specific pro-
visions making the competitive prac-
tees discussed previously. together
with others not discussed but never
theleSs important unfair methods of
competition.
1t imposes tax on the sale or other
disposition of soft coal of Is per cent
OF the sale price, or in the case of
captive coal, which is coal produced
for large corporations by subsidiary
companies, of the fair market value
thereof. All those coal producers
who join and live up to the code and
It's provisions will receive a credit or
drawback Of 80 per cent of the
amount of the tax. This tax will be
productive Of substantial revenue-it |
Is estimated that 1t will produce ap-
proximately $4,000, 900 per annum, |
which is more than enough to pay all
expenses faced by the Government
because of the administration of the |
act. OF course, those coal operators
who fail to sign the code or live up
to Its provisions will not receive the
90 per cent credit or drawback.
Should there be any such they will be
handicapped in their efforts to mar
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