The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-12-27
Mining Industry Knows
Now How to Stand
Together.
lgT FOLLOW This LEAD
Wen known Coal Trade
Editor Reviews the
Year.
BY AMADEE ]. CASEY.
Editor American Coal Journal.

The coaIproducing industry in the
United States is closing one OF the
most eventful years In its history
one thar viii be long remembered be-
cause OF the part played by the indus
try In winning the war, and because
OF the vast changes that took place
within the business itself.
without the tremendous production
OF coal which resulted from united ano
fsreIess efforts of all branches Of the
enterprise, the governments war eff
forts must have been much less effec-
tive. Coal was vital to the striking
power of Uncle Sans military and
naval arms. It had to be had. Ana
yet difficulties greater than had ever
been encountered faced the producers.
There was shortage Of labor. There
WAS shortage OF transportation IA
entities. One Of the coolest winters
Of generations crippled railroad lines.
IN the later stages of the year there
was an epidemic OF influenza which
swept the country.
But In spite Of all these things the
coal men rolled up record prcduc-
ssh. sNIn so doing the industry achiev-
Cd for itself rehabilitation and re
birth It eradicated many OF the
alleaG-tkAGE9SSS anu 0SL9GSS SAAE@S laws
pped profits and prevented wholly
nccessfuI operation in the past
Possibly the most momentouS even:
with regard to the industry itself WAS
the birth Of the spirit Of cooperation
and singIeness Of purpose that has
arisen within it-a spirit that is 1nvad-
Ing other Industries as well and with
beneficial results. The old spirit OF
IEdestroylng competition and waste
has been cast aside and the industry
raised to basis where 1t promotes not
cn3y its own best interests along et-
fecSiVe lines but serves the industrial
aud commercial needs of the country
to It's own and the nations best In
terests.
Deadening practices have been cast
or and coal producers, in joining IN an
SMILED effort TO meet the national
needs in time Of stress, have stfmu-
lated their own enterprises and their
Town field OF work and placed their in
Giustry financially and economically In
lie front rank Of American activities.
some see In the new order Of things
Al end for all time to the old compe-
tfffon and sordid antagonism. It IS
wholly within the range OF posSiotll-
hes that ways and means will be found
Inder government sanction, and
through congressional enactment, to
establish the new spirit OF unified ct
tort as the recognized business polic3
OF America.
This new idea of business. reflected
IN the coal industry, is expressed b.
william G. McAdoo in his suggestion
that government control Of railroads
IS extended five years He holds
that there Is need for the development
81 . transportation system along ma
fionalized lines and without regard for
state boundaries-serving industries
without regard for communities or 10
caIities and permitting the develop
aent Of industries and individual busl'
ness ventures along the broadcast lines.
whether these results can be obtained
nnfier private ownership. or the organ
izafion Of regional operating units un'
der government control, or through
government ownership, he does not
profess TO know. He insists, however
fhat the function Of the railroads is
flfat ofservice, and that to accomplish
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