AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1922, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.' U.S.A. COAL. WASHINGTON, July 24 Tlie first intimation of the U.S.A. Government's intention regarding the coal strike came to-niglit, with the announcement that the Department ot Justice lias approved of Mr Hoover’s plan for the appointment by the President if a Committee, which will have representatives in the various coal producing districts. These will inform the Committee which mine operators are charging only a fair price for their coal, and, at the same time, the InterState Commerce Commission will allot the railway coal cars to those mines only which are not taking advantage of the coal shortage to raise their prices.

The railway company executives and the mine owners are now conferring regarding the means of carrying out the plan. 'iliis virtually amounts to a rationing of coal throughout the nation, with a view to a prevention of profiteering. The general situation grows more serious every hour, as, from all communities, come cries ol a lack of coal.

SMUGGLING INTO I'.S.A. WASHINGTON, July 24

It is expected that a diplomatic exchange between Britain and the United States concerning the smuggling of British sources, will result In a truer state of prohibition in the United States. The State Department has he it for some time studying the situati'it, especially as: affecting the smuggling from the Bahamas, from Canada and from England. The questions of territorial waters and the three-mile limit have received consideration. It was determined that, even if smuggling operations occur outside the three-mile limit, it is a conspiracy to violate the United States laws, and a friendly nation will not countenance such action by its nationals. » MURDER CHARGE. WASHINGTON, July ft The U.S. Supreme Court has dismissed an indictment charging the owners, builders and the architect of the Knickerbocker Cinema Theatre with murder, as the result of _ the tragic collapse (if the roof last winter, when many were killed and injured. The Court hold the indictment was defective and insufficient because it did not coiitaiii the essential filets forming the basis of the alleged offend?. An appeal will he taken to the Court of Appeal.