295 



II. The Investigation by the Special Subcommittee on Coal 



Research 



In accordance with its plans pursuant to Representative Saylor's- 

 resolution, the special subcommittee undertook a major investigation 

 into the problems and opportunities of short-range research in coal. 

 The subcommittee held 9 days of hearings, 4 in "Washington, D.C., and 

 5 in three coal-producing States. There were 58 witnesses, and 579 pages 

 of testimony and exhibits were taken." 



The initial hearings, in Washington, were to establish the basic facts 

 as to tlie condition of the coal industry, the national reserves of coal, 

 the status and prospects of researcli in coal, and the interest of the 

 Congress in ameliorating the condition of the industry. Five Members 

 of Congress testified as to their anxiety that the industiy's prospects 

 be advanced. From the Department of the Interior, four members of 

 the staif of the Bureau of Mines, a spokesman for the U.S. Geological 

 Survey, and the Assistant Secretary for Mineral Resources, provided 

 historical and teclmical data. Three representatives of coal industry 

 trade associations and a spokesman for the United Mine "Workers also 

 testified. 



Tlie 5 days of hearings in the field included testimony from 35 wit- 

 nesses, with supporting exhibits. The 35 included 13 coal producers, 

 5 spokesmen for local chambers of commerce, 4 officials of State gov- 

 ernments, 4 representatives of academic institutions, 3 leaders of labor 

 unions, 3 representatives of coal associations, a spokesman for the 

 electric utility industry, and 2 others. The concluding session in Wash- 

 ington, heard testimony from 3 railroad company officials, 2 spokes- 

 men for the Xational Coal Association, and the director and two staff 

 members of the Bureau of Mines. 



The findings of the special subcon-imittee, drawn from the testimony 

 of these witnesses, was presented in its report, August 27, 1957, as 

 follows : 



1. The coal reserves of the United States are this Nation's greatest mineral 

 resource available for immediate development and use. 



2. The coal-mining industry, on a national scale, is a sick industry. Although 

 a number of so-called captive mines and independent coal producers are doing 

 well productionwise, due to various advantages which they enjoy and to the 

 immediate past export situation, the overall picture is one of economic ills, 

 widespread mine shutdowns, staggering unemployment among coal miners, 

 and an uphill struggle for survival. 



3. Research and development programs of the coal industry and of State- 

 supported organizations, although genuine and continuing efforts, have been 

 woefully inadequate. The Federal effort in this field has been relatively small 

 and has not met the needs of the industry. 



4. There is a compelling need, both from the standpoint of a great industry's 

 liealth and this Nation's future, for a greatly expanded research and develop- 

 ment program for the coal industry. 



5. While some differences of opinion are present in the definition of Federal 

 responsibility, there is almost unanimous agreement that enlarged Federal activ- 

 ity in coal research and development is necessary at this time.'^ 



^^ In 19.56. Ihld. : and in 1957. "Coal. Hearings Before the Special Subcommittee on Coal 

 Research of the * * • on the Estnblishment of a Research and Development Program for 

 the Cnal Industry." pts. 1 and 2, 19.57 (serial No. .3). op cit. 



^^ U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Findings and 

 Recommendations of the Special Subcommittee on Coal Research. Report of the * * • 

 Pursuant to H. Res. 94 (S5th Cong.). Authorizing the Committee on Interior and Insular 

 Affairs to make investigations into any matter within its iurisdietion. and for other pur- 

 poses." 8.5th Cong., 1st sess., H. Re'pt. 1263 (Union Calendar No 490), (Washington, 

 U.S. Government Printing Office, Aug. 27. 1957), p. 1. 



