Daily Kennebec journal., 1918-08-12
How TO Get Coal

l.aeI ~ was
through the labor authorities mere
that there was abundant work oHereo
for something like $4,000 men, and IN
ire published accounts 1t vas an
rounced that mines in the neignoor-
tooA Of Altoona were eager to get
labor.
This fact If it be a fact, should be
called 20 the attention of DR.. Car
teld and Adjutant General Crowder.
Men hav, been taken away from the
mines right along ever since the draft
lAv got into operation, and TINS
weeks notice from the Geological
survey admits that coal production
IL not keeping up 70 the mark re-
q, ir.d All this has been in the face
al tho fact that the warring European
rations have pursued just the con-
trsry policy when II came TO consld-
or.ns miners as soldiers.
Good business sense would seem TO
indicate that II labor were needed in
IN" mines. and that If there were two
scts ~ labor-one actually in the
r.nes and the other outside-the
simplest policy would be to keep the
nine labor at It's Job and 10 make
soldiers out Of the men in the other
group. OF course this new labor can
learn 70 do the work, but it costs time
and money to drill new men. and IN
tho meantime the output OF coal has
been lost II might Just as we'll be
realized that in modern warfare you
must have coal first. even before you
have An army, for without coal no
rrt dern army can fight or even sub
si.t
SELF constituted committees Of one
have been almost having conniptions
over what they style labor turnover
in different plants, private or
semi public. II is probably to be ex-
pected when the number Of jobs
EQUALS the number Of workmen or is
somewhat In excess. The turnover in
The mlnes-lf the depleted supply of
workers shall he renewed by Govern
raent arcncy-does not altogether
com. under the ordinary class, for it
v.,ll he a case Of the Government re
placing uhat the Government took
avav-with only the loss in tonnage
= show for it. Philadelphia Public
Logger.
Mary Graha Rice Of Philadelphia
rho Obviously knows something
atout conditions. offers not criticism
but constructive advice TO the ad-
rinis.ration Or. Garfield in particu
lar. on how to get coal. If coal is pre-
ferrod 20 booze and sophistry. She
,avs II IL is coal whic' the fuel ad'
rlinistration really wants 1t can be
Fad but a decision must be reaches
bstr.en coal. ships munitions, com
fort-or beer She regroups the facts
ir common sense letter to the Pub.
lie Ledger. as follows
Sir-What different aspect the
mooted prohibition question woul(
asrume II certain facts were pre-
sented clearly to the country a
larre ANY hesitation to act on tn
part Of tho Administration. out OF re
spect for Mr. Hoover's delicacy o
feeling for the brewery interests, 0
the Astounding conviction OF MI
cambridge Colby. that the OUTPUT o
the shipyards would be reduced ,
per cent with the cessation of IN
nquor traffic. would vanish like cloud
before sunlight could these facts loor
u, in the popular mind with all IN
cogency OF truth.
The National Coal Association de
e,sres that "the country cannot hav
both I,ouor and sufficient coal thi
winter" One of the reasons is tn
lack of labor. Be is remembered tha
uis company represents an annua
production Of 400 100000 tons.
The fuel administration. of whicl
Doctor Garfield is the head, has beel
challenged by the National Coal AS
sociation and the alternative clearl.
l.quor, Which do you propose givin
To the country? II coal. you hav
elt TO step drink in the mines" TIL
way to do this Is pointed out briefl
b. the common sense OF the coal fra
tcrnity-stop giving coal 70 the brew
cry interests and release the labo
there for legitimate work at the fror
or in the mines. Let bartenders an
brewery employees I'll UP the ranks
the constructive work that the eour
try demands At this time.
Mr.. Frank Harrington. president {
the United Mine Workers Of Americ;
comedies with the following Of tn
, associated coal production commit
tee: ut IS now UP to Congress
make . elean-eut choice bet~ee
booze for the mining eommunite
sne coal FOR the war and the publ
Had Mr.. Schwab given his valuabl
testimony at the same time as Nj
, Colby. II is said. he could have re
lated this interesting fact: when h
. irquired Of the superintendent of
stipbuilding concern how that com
pany produced boat in - days. an
thereby BROKE the record for fast con
.truetion york he replied, IN
Accordifr to a recent announce
rent by the Department of Labo,
The war Industries are short 900. 90
&c 100000 common laborers-a bi
r'unition plant making large calibe
gems Is short 1000 machinists. Wa
rlants OF Connecticut and Maryian
are short $4,000 skilled hands, an
= yet the bravery interests are ailowe
q 10 operate. and bartenders. Of whor
there are 10000 in the Federation &
Labor. are not drafted, into the in
dusteis' army At least.
BY what sorcery do these interest