The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-06-04
STORM BREWING
IN WASHINGTON
ON GUFFEY BILL
Coal Measure Is Likely to
Fall Heir to Woes of
MIRA Is Report.
BY JOHN T. FLYNN.
Times Special Writer


WASHINGTON. June 4.-Per-
hapS the next sensation for our
highly irritated nerves will be a
little bill which was introduced in
to the United States Senate almost
unobServed last January.
1t is important because it may
become the pattern for the move
ment to control industry now that
the NRA has been dealt a death
blow This is what is called the
Guffey coal commission bill.
This is an ambitious plan about
which little has been said, and in
the confusion and panic resulting
from the NRA collapse. an effort
may be made to jam through this
bill with unwiSe haste.
Condition Is Desperate
AS everyone knows, the coal in
dustry has been in desperate con-
dition for years. The NRA did
bring to labor in the coal fields an
improved condition But this was
due to the energy and drive of the
coal miners themselves. led by
forceful leader, John l. Lewis.
However, the coal regions are still
in trouble. Just as there are too
many miners. there are too many
mines AT least a year ago opera
tors and miners decided that some
thing more drastic than NRA would
be needed. Just what happened
behind the scenes and what deals
were made. do not know.
But it was rumored that opera
tors and miners were working to-
gether on bill which would per-
petuate the labor provisions Of NRA
and put the coal industry under
complete control by the Federal
government.
Would Buy Marginal Mines
The price of this. so far as the
mine owners we're concerned. was
that the government would buy up
all or at least a large part of the
marginal mines and put them out
OF business.
This plan has lowered in the bill
offered by Joseph Guffey, the new
Democratic Senator from Pennsyl-
vania. The plan of the bill is, first,
to create a commission of five MEM
bers-the Bituminous Coal Commits
sion-to be named by the Presi-
dent, which will exercise wide sway
over all bituminous coal mines.
Second, to establish a national
coal reserve. This is high sound
ing name for all the marginal coal
mines which the government will
buy and put out of business for the
time being.
Bond Issue Provideds
Third. TO pay for these mines a
bond issue Of $500 100000 is pro-
vided which will be liquidated by
tax on coal
Fourth, no new or old mines may
be reopened save with consent of
the commission.
Fifth, operators will be permitted
to organize codes. All coal will be
taxed 25 per cent at the mine. but
80 per cent will be related to the
mine owner who joins the code
probably an unconstitutional pro-
vision
Sixth, the coal lands will be di-
vided into districts and code au-
thorities in those districts will fix
prices subject to approval by the
commission.
Seventh, a coal labor board-three
members representing the public,
the owners and labor-will have
jurisdiction of labor matters.
The miners are interested in the
labor provisions. The owners are
interested in the coal reserve"
Mr.. Lewis, for the miners, has de-
manded passage of the bill. On its
face it seems to be miners bill.
Owners are also interested, although
some have opposed it,
But the measure is full of dyna-
mite and should be closely scruti-
nized before it is passed by the
Senate. to which it has been ia
vorably reported by a Senate COM
mittee.
Copyright 1885. NEA Service Inc1