294 



Plan of investigation of the Special Subcommittee on Coal Research 



In an introductory statement the subcommittee took note of the 

 1,900 billions of tons of U.S. coal reserves, the decline in coal produc- 

 tion and markets, recent technological advances in the industry, and 

 the importance of coal for the steel and electrical power industries. 

 In its discussion of the "purpose of the coal study," the statement 

 noted the plight of coal mining communities, the importance of coal 

 in the national economy, and the essentiality of coal for the national 

 defense. The scope of the study would encompass all ranks of coal, and 

 would seek to determine the jjossibilities for developing new and ex- 

 panded uses through research programs. The goal was a "stable and 

 thriving coal industry." To this end, the subcommittee proposed to 

 obtain comprehensive information on coal with respect to — 



(a) Industry problems ; 



(b) Recent developments and their possibilities : 



(c) The status and possibilities of research and development programs now in 

 progress ; 



(d) The possibilities of solving industry problems and creating new and in- 

 creased uses for coal through additional and expanded research and development 

 programs; and 



(e) The requirements, feasibility, and degree of urgency of each program that 

 may be recommended to the subcommittee, the facilities and personnel now avail- 

 able, and the means by which each program may be initiated and carried through 

 to success, including the type and degree of private and public participation 

 and methods of financing. 



Each of these factors would be considered in regard to a number of 

 subjects relating to coal, including, but not limited to — 



1. ^Mining 9. Hydrogenation processes > 



2. Preparation 10. Carbonization processes ' P 



3. Handling 11. Gasification processes ^ 



4. Marketing 12. Oils and tars from coal 



5. Distribution 13. Coal chemicals 



6. Transportation 14. Miscellaneous coal processes and 



7. Conventional u.sea products 

 S. Combustion 



The subcommittee indicated that in its investigation it would give 

 special attention to problems and opportunities of smaller mines, as 

 these had been "hardest hit by the drastic drop in the demand for coal 

 and by other factors contributing to the unstable condition of tlie coal- 

 mining industry." 



The subcommittee planned to hold hearings in Washington until 

 congressional adjournment. Thereafter, it would hold a number of 

 field hearino;s. "Witnesses would be called from industrv, labor, trade 

 associations, Federal and State agencies, other public and private 

 research groups, and qualified individuals. 



The opening .statement in the initial hearing, June 4, was by 

 Representative Saylor who repeated the emphasis on the goals of the 

 investigation — 



If we can open the door to steady employment, against the ups and downs that 

 have prevailed in the past, we shall be affording new hope for a de.serving 

 segment of our population. At the same time, any progress in this direction will 

 be a distinct contribution to the Nation's overall economy and to our defense 

 structure. With God's help, those are the objectives which we want to 

 accomplish." 



^^ U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. "Coal." Hearings 

 before the Special Subcommittee on Coal Research of the * * * pursuant to H. Res. 400. to 

 authorize a study leading to the establishment of a research and development program for 

 the coal industry, .Tune 4, and R and .Tulv 19. 1956, S4th Cong., 2d sess., serial No. 35- 

 (Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1956), pp. 2-5. 



