A BILL TO REGULATE INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN DECEMBER 14, 1928, TO JANUARY 23, 1929 Printed for the use of the Committee on Interstate Commerce Digest of statements and arguments made before the Committee on Inter- state Commerce, prepared by the National Coal Association___ BITUMINOUS COAL COMMISSION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1928 UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE COMMERCE, Washington, D. C. The committee, pursuant to call of the chairman, at 10 o'clock a. m., in room 212 Senate Office Building, Senator James E. Watson presiding. Present: Senators Watson (chairman), Sackett, Goff, Wheeler, Hawes, Wagner, and Black. The CHAIRMAN. We have come together for the purpose of considering bill S. 4490 introduced on the 3d day of May, and which will be made a part of the hearings, as follows: [S. 4490, Seventieth Congress, first session] A BILL To regulate interstate and foreign commerce in bituminous coal; provide for consolidations, mergers, and cooperative marketing; regulate the fuel supply of interstate carriers; require the licensing of corporations producting and shipping coal in interstate commerce; and to create a Bituminous Coal Commission, and for other purposes Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That a commission is hereby created to be known as the Bituminous Coal Commission, hereafter referred to as the commission, which shall be composed of five members appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate, and one of whom the President shall designate as chairman. The first commissioners shall be appointed for the terms of two, three, four, five, and six years, respectively, from the date of the taking effect of this act, the term of each to be designated by the President; but their successors shall be appointed for terms of five years, except that any person chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed only for the unexpired term of the commissioner whom he shall succeed. The commission shall convene at such times and places as the majority shall determine. They may appoint a secretary and such clerks, experts, engineers, counsel, and other employees as may be necessary to the proper performance of the duties of said commission. The members of the commission shall each receive a compensation of $ per year and also their necessary traveling expenses. Said commission shall promulgate rules and regulations for fully carrying out the provisions of this act, and shall annually make full report to Congress. SEC. 2. That it shall be lawful for persons, firms, and corporations engaged in the production and interstate or foreign commerce of bituminous coal to form marketing pools and cooperative selling associations for the purpose of agreeing on the market prices of their coals: Provided, That such persons, firms, or corporations first apply to said commission for and secure from it a license therefor; such license to be granted only upon the applicants' acceptance of the provisions of this act, and their compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by said commission for the purpose of carrying the act into effect. The commission shall have authority to inquire into all matters touching the mining and shipment of bituminous coal by said pool or association and the members thereof, and to fix the maximum prices which may be agreed upon or |