Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-02
REPRESENTATION,

When Governor Harding spoke at
the conference of governors and state
councils of defense in Chicago In
August. he evoked little laughter by
telling story illustrating the serious
condition confronting coal users and
the crying need for decisive action to
establish fair retail prices and assure
an adequate supply for the winter. +
Following that conference President
Wilson announced schedule OF tenta.
tive prices for coal at the mine mouths
in the various states and later, when
he appointed the national coal admins
traitor, the announcement was made
that several Of these prices probably
would be changed.
The uncertainty continues and some
days. at the very least, must elapse be-
tore lowans, for instance, are to know
exactly the basis on which they will
be permitted to buy coal for household
use.
Meanwhile, the summer has merged
into autumn and cool weather finds a
big proportion Of householders delay
ing their coal purchases in the hope
that lower prices will be afforded them
when the governments elaborate ma
chinery finally gets to working.
Meanwhile. also, the dissatisfaction
among the coal miners which original
ed with the flamboyant and selfish cru
SADIE Of several big Industrial captains
In Chicago has crystallized in de-
mand for wage increases amounting to
about Is per cent.
Failure by the miners to get what
they want usually presages a strike
and consequent shortage of coal pro-
duction. The demand presented yes
terday was made by miners from the
central competitive field, In which
Iowa Is not included, but the unwritten
law of the coal industry for decades
has been that the wages for Iowa must
be based on those of the central states.
1t is apparent then, that coal strike
or an increase in the mine mouth
prices--natural result of an increase in
wages-will be the next development
In the coal situation. Possibly both can
be avoided, but neither the miners nor
the operators regard that as probable.
In either case, the individual con.
sumner must suffer, unless his foresight
already has impelled him to buy coal
for the winter and stand the chance
for cut in price.
The weakness in the governments
handling of the coal situation seems to
lie principally in the delay in doing
something definite This delay seems
to be attributable to the fact that the
men who have been delegated to solve
the various problems have only the
layman's knowledge OF the coal indus.
try and the coal trade.
Mr.. Hoover has summoned to assist
him in fixing prices of wheat, men who
are acquainted with every one Of the
various steps by which wheat is grown,
harvested, marketed, ground into flour
and marketed again in that form. He
hasmade some progress even II he has
not effected any marked reduction In
the prices of flour or bread.
If these farmers, traders and millers
are honest enough and loyal enough to
serve the nation faithfully, 1t would
seem reasonable to suppose that q SUI.
ficient number of patriotic and consci-
entious men could be selected from
among coal producers. miners and
dealers to form an advisory board for
Mr.. Garfield.
At the present rate Of progress, the
coal administration may get into mo
ton by the end Of the coming winter
and 1t may not.