Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-01
Who Shall Own and Operate the Coal Mines?
NJ JAMES y. morrow.

~ ana slopes OF what certain
Eeographers might call the
Mount of Incredulity the caters.
wearers and users OF America, other
wise consumers. are soon to witness
In the valley below one of the most
pleasing controversies Of the century.
They will see $500 union miners.
tin lamps in their caps and steel picks
on their backs, and all OF the coal
operators of the country come to-
gether vociferously and simultaneous
ly. Issue: Shall the people or the
capitalists own and operate the
mines?
Were they Indians it could be said
that the two tribes are now in the
painting and dancing stages of their
preparations. With feathers in their
topknots and their cheeks and chins
stained black. red and green, they are
hopping and chanting around their
war fires.
The spectators on the heights and
slopes. and they are the Americans
historic lady who, perched high and
safe on worm fence at the edge OF
the timber, shouted: go it, old man;
20 It, bari" This neutral attitude
may be the result of feeling that
the struggle was really caused by
disagreement over a partition Of the
spoilH.
There are miners at this moment
who are earning at the rate of 500
q week. Owners of coal properties
were never SO prosperous as they
have been since April. two years ago.
And now the smiling face Of peace
looks into the gray mists ana clear
ing weather seems to be due for those
who must burn ana pay for fuel.
1t IL 4 solemn occasion for sainer
ana operator. Each desires to main.
tain the status gao. Naturally. But
how can 1t be done? Through the
Standardization and democratic man
agement Of all the coal mines in the
United States" says the miner.
what does that phrasing mean:
Perhaps 1t h no more than u plat
form on which to conduct a strategic
debate. Possibly 1t is war club,
studded with nails, to be brandished
over the operators heads Whatever
its purpose may have been, it has
alarmed the owners OF coal mines
and SO they are painting and dancing
around war fires hurriedly kindled.
Among other things they are saying
that the coal industry should be re-
organized.
Organized labor, it should be UNDER
stood once for all, is committed for
mally to what is termed the national
ization" OF public and semi-public
utilities-railroads, telephone and
telegraph lines, street railroads, gas
works, water works. electric lighting
establishments and so on. Coal mines
are also In this catalogue. The profits
of these enterprises. organized labor
holds. should go to the public and not
into the pockets OF individuals.
Frank Hayes. president Of the
United Mine Workers OF America,
recommends, first, a six-hour work.
day for coal diggers and a fve-day
week. Secondly, that the mine work.
ers receive q Substantial increase"
in wages. Thirdly, that all the coal
mines be "RationaliEed" and placed
under democratic management"
X X X
These recommendations, In March,
were approved by the policy commit
tee of the miners organization. They
have, therefore, become official. This
committee, composed Of $50 men.
leaders Of unions. declares that 'un-
employment IL 4 constant threat and
menace to the security. happiness ana
prosperity Of the miners OF the United
States" and that unemployment Is
caused ''by the overAevelopment of
the mtaiag industry"
What they mean by the word ''over-
development" is not explained. A
large faction of the operators say
that ct the 1900 coal mines in the
country at least 5000 of them are I'M
necessary. Seemingly miners and
owners agree that there has been
"overdevelopment." Having reached
this point, however, their ways sepa-
rate.
In his Interpretation Of the action
OF the policy committee President