The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1914-02-06
IN CONSUMERS INTEREST.

Temporary Government Control Sus-
gested as Cure For an Ever Re-
curing Evil--Operators Only Bene-
ficiaries 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 Sc
rious matters at all seasons, but when
one of them occurs at the beginning
or during the winter months it is then
threatening the lives and homes of an
immense number. who have little
chance for defense under existing con
that is compelled to buy fuel by the
fraction of ton down to a bucketful
1t appears almost like visitation OF
divine displeasnre and punishment
Not many years ago we had in Wash
ington taste of q general strike in
the coal regions. which lasted long
enough to Impress even the well to do
with the problem of wintering a sea
son on coal shortage.
With practically an unlimited supply
furnished by an all wise Creator the
question of its ownership is forced for
considera ton.
Has an individual or corpora ton the
right to hold these natural resources
of health and happiness 4Dr the pur-
pose of spoIiation? What rights they
now possess rest with the patience and
consent of the many millions of con
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
ernment to interfere in the control of
private enterprise until its existence
and continuation convey a 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 so per cent in my own recolec-
tom is also n matter that requires in
yestigaton The increased wages paid
the miners may be in part responsible
and could be more cheerfully borne IL
the fact were established by an impair
tial tribunal We know that a 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-
mands such course. The highway
man takes his chances when he says
Hands up,' but the cowardIy 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 tiduciary agent appropii
ates few thousand for his own use
he is on conviction sent TO the penit~n-
tiary for term of years. II the
amount be small he is rated as a
thief" if large he Is an 'embeZzer
and entitled TO some sympathy. be
cause even good man may be tempt
ed beyond the breaking point. To be
come multimillionaire by even ques
tionable means would test the honesty
of some OF the very best But the man
who would enter his neighbor's 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
by their enforced idleness? Nothing
to arbitrate" when the poor minel
must remain idle and his family wan
for the necessaries of life, when thou
sands hover over the ash dumps in the
cities for few handfus Of fuel ant
when even the well to do offer exorbi
tant prices and the retail dealer cal
only point to empty bins! With ,
business organized in every detail from
the general manager down to the pick
ers. all at standstill waiting the com
mand of the owner. surely there mus
be some appeal from such injustice.
To government control by temporar.
right OF eminent domain we may safe
~ look without any disrespect OF law
How that would work may be showl
In the following plan: A government
general manager to take control. su
perseding company's officer; set tn
miners and machinery going at th
old rate, pending the adjustment o
their claims; the sale of the produc
of the mines with fair profit to tn
owners, payment out of the proceed
of all wages, salaries. etc; turn owe
all control when operators and EN-
ployees have settled their quarrel. re
port of government official publishe
when confirmed by court of arbitrs
ton.