The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-09-24
THE COAL SITUATION

The people of Lexington and Central Kentucky are threatened
with taste of that happy confusion in which the Secretary OF
War much delights We great danger OF having practical
demonstration right here home of the disastrous result OF the
coas prevailing at Washington The Herald possession of
sufficient definite and detailed information to Judgment upon
question whether not the prices fixed for kentucky coal
fair The necessary thing produce coal and the duty or
the government every obstacle to the production Of COAL
under the food and fuel act the government has practically
unlimited power the coal industry.
is the duty of the government that the mines opr
ated and operated by the employment
other remedy there should be the speedy draft
ing industrial army 1t ought not to be necessary however,
take drive into the coal mines If there Ger
agtaors in the Kentucky coal fields Major fibrn
gests they should promptly locked up The public willing to
pay fair price, price that will enable the operator to make far
profit and pay the miner fair wage.
According the made in letter from
ntenden recently published The Herald miner who will work
get work and big Major ubrn wrote the state
that the mine operators have given the all they ask as to
and working conditions the only question between them being
the recognition Of the union
1t within the power of the coal administration to what the
price shall be- The coal prices appear have been fixed pema
ture They appear be- large extent result of gueswok
There yet evidence that definite information definite local
tiles secured the basis of prices for these localities The time
short for production wait investigation If the Ken
lucky mines remain idle until the coal administrator make
really thorough investigation in this state and information
upon which fair conclusion damage will be
cted upon the public result of the suspension of industry and
business.
The first thing be done operate the mines and leave the
adjustment differences deliberate consideration The
pie Kentucky should with all possible emphasis that prompt
action be taken There the slightest why the industrial
and commercial activities of all eastern and central Kentucky should
be paayzed and if paralysis the responsibility be
charged the authorities Washington. the Senators
Representatives Congress from this that their
tes interests protected.
There of liberation for Mr. Bakers happy confusion
eniency the general necency the
of large proportion of the public business long the DISASTROUS
effects brought home the people Lexington promised
lesson actual unless speedy action taken and this
pernce going be bitter 1t possible for failure of the
supply Kentucky sub
scrpon the first liberty loan and the second liberty loan will
be easily oaed all business compelled sustain loss
result of the dldayng and heorizng at Washington 1t
is vital only to the immediate localities affected but to the well
being of the whole that normal commercial and industrial
activities be protected and maintained 1t important that he
happy confusion Washington be suppaned by least
blance of order.-Lexngton Herald.