The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-11

barre region. and while passing an oh.
scure mining village called Alden he
noticed a string of empty coal cars lying
on railroad siding. The cars looked
as II they had been there for a long
time. and the bankers curiosity. was
aroused In view Of the prevailing situa-
ton. So he left his motor and made a
few incisive inquiries at the colliery.
He was told that the cars needed
repairs.
How long would 1t take to repair
themT' he asked.
"Oh, two or three days, I suppose"
And how long have they been on this
siding7'
Il can't say exactly, but 7 believe
they've been there a couple Of yeaH."
Bankers Observation.
The banker says he has no doubt that
careful survey Of the entire anthra-
cite region would result in finding at
leaSt 1000 empty coal cars lying on sid
ingS and needing only slight repairs. II
this proved TO be true one could hardly
fail to think that such alleged condi-
lions are little less than criminal care
lessness, in view of the menacing sit
uatlon daily getting worse.
Should Dr. Garfield send a representa-
tive to force a show down between coal
operators and union labor he might do
well to summon in addition a represent
alive of the regional director OF rail-
ways to find out how additional cars
can be provided and whether they are
necessary.
People up here in the coal fields cannot
understand why the United states Fuel
Administrator has not acted in this mat
ter long ago. Toward the middle of
July the anthracite operators committee
In Philadelphia through it's spokesman
said the labor shortage was due in part
to the fact that between 1000 and 5000
mine workers had been drafted for the
army, and this in spite Of the further
fact that their work in the mines is a
vital war industry.
CrOwder's Prompt Action.
This statement was promptly brought
to the attention of the Secretary Of War
who referred II to Provost Marshal Gen.
eral Crowder. and within two days Gen.
Crowder had a member OF his. stan
Major Roscoe Conklin. in Wiikesbarre
where he held an open meeting of inves-
tigation. as reported next morning In
THE Sun. That is how the War De-
partment acts.
II has since developed, according to
figures furnished personally by Gen
Crowder that instead of 1000 to 5000
| mine workers being drafted only $500
anthra cite operatives had been indicted
into the army up to the latest available
reports from draft boards. II is entirely
possible these few would not have been
drafted could the army authorities have
had assurance that they would have re-
manned at work mining coal.
But as matter of cold fact. approx
mately 10000 mine workers have qui,
the region for high priced jobs in other
war industries run on cost plus basis
and paying fabulous wages.
Threat Sent to a Plant.
So great was this exodus from the
mines that according to a story generally
credited some OF the operators sent WORD
to a certain great plant that IL II took
any more men from the mines the plan,
| wouldn't get any more coal. With this
| threat of a compulsory shutdown fol
| lack of fuel the plant in question there.
| after refused to employ any more mine
workers. go.
The discrepancy between Gen. Crow
der's official figures as to drafted anthra.
| cite operatives and the 1000 to 5.o0t
| mentioned by the operators spokesman
probably is due to the fact that a large
number OF mine workers voluntarily en-
listed in the army without waiting to
| be drafted.
l had a long talk yesterday with ar
| elderly man who came here from Ireland
| as boy. got a Job in the mines. and
by industry and ability worked himself
up to where he now Is active in the
| management Of colliery in which he
holds considerable ownership interest
This man knows the business Of an
thracite mining from every angle
driver boy OF mules hundreds OF feet I'M
der ground. breaker boy, laborer. skilled
miner, boss. assistant superintendent
and manager. Owing to friendly rela-
----------------------------