The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1914-05-01
END FUEL STRIKES
How Labor Troubles In Coal
Fields May Be Averted.
IN CONSUMERS INTEREST.
Temporary Government Control Sug
gested as a Cure For an Ever Re-
curing EviI-Operators Only Bene-
fciares of Coal Shortage.
BY GABRIEL EDMONSToN,


First general president of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters,
The frequent recurrence of strikes
and lockouts in the coal fields is a Sc
one of them occurs at the beginning
or during the winter months ii is then
threatening the lives and homes of an
immense number who have little
chance for defense under existing con
dtions. To the countless multitude
that is compelled to buy fuel by the
fraction of Il ton down to bucketfuI
it appears almost like a visitation OF
divine displeasure and punishment.
Not many years ago we had in Wash
ington a taste of general strike in
the coal regions. which lasted long
enough to impress even the well to do
with the problem of wintering sea
son ON Il coal shortage.
With practically an unlimited supply
furnished by an all wise Creator. the
question of its ownership is forced for
consideration
Has an individual or corpora ton the
right to hold these natural resources
of health and happiness for the pur-
pose of spoliation? What rights they
now possess rest with the patience and
consent of the many millions of con
sumers, who could easily be driven by
their sufferings to demand government
control. Government control of rail
way and telegraph lines is not so i'm
portant as control of the coal mines
and coal roads. We can keep off the
cars. and we can use the mails, but we
cannot keep warm in winter without
fuel
| do not think it is wise for the gov
eminent to Interfere in the control of
private enterprise until its existence
and continuation convey threat
against public welfare. In the latter
event it is clearly duty that cannot
be left to time for adjustment
The ever increasing price amount
ing to 30 per cent in my own recolec-
ton, is also Il matter that requires in
vestigation. The increased wages paid
the miners may be in part responsible
and could be more cheerfully borne if
the fact were established by an impair
tial tribunal. We know that coal
shortage or stoppage inures to the
benefit of the operators; hence it logi-
cally follows that they and not the min
ers start something when business de
mapds such course The highway
man takes his chances when he says
Glands up.' but the cowardly sneak
thief uses different methods and wish
es to conceal his tracks.
/ have sometimes thought our Grim
inal laws were twisted and in some
way turned top side down. For in
stance, if fiduciary agent appropri
ates a few thousand for his own use
he is on conviction sent to the peniten
tiary for term of years. If the
amount be small he is rated as
thief" if large he is an 'embezzler'
and entitled to some sympathy, be-
cause even Il good man may be tempt
ed beyond the breaking point To be-
come multimiliOnaire by even ques
tionable means would test the honesty
of some of the very best. But the man
who would enter his neighbours hen
house for the purpose of theft deserves
the extreme penalty of the law, because
his standard of manhood and morality
is of the very lowest His proper pun
ishment is at the whipping post.
Where shall we place the operator
who seeks to hide his guilt by forcing
his employees ito ruin his business"
to arbitrate" when the poor miner
must remain idle and his family want
for the necessaries of life, when thou
sands hover over the ash dumps in the
cities for a few handfuls of fuel and
when even the we'll to do offer exorbi
tant prices and the retail dealer can
only point to empty bins! With a
business organized in every detail from
the general manager down to the pick
erS. all ut Standstil waiting the COM
mand of the owner, surely there must
be some appeal from such injustice.
To government control by temporary
right of eminent domain we may safe
~ look without any disrespect of law
How that would work may be shown
in the following plan: A government
general manager to take control. SUI
perseding company's officer; set the
miners and machinery going at the
old rate, pending the adjustment of
their claims; the sale Of the product
of the mines with fair profit to the
owners. payment out of the proceeds
of all wages, salaries. ETC.; turn over
all control when operators and en-
ployees have settled their quarrel, re-
port of government official published
when confirmed by court of arbitra-
ton