The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-11-14
FOR THE MINERS

eve will comply with the mandate
of the court. We do this under pro-
test. We are Americans. We cannot
fight our Government" In these
words John L. Lewis announced the
decision of the officials of the United
Mine Workers. 1t is an American ex-
preston of Americanism. Americans
cannot fight their Government. They
do not always approve it's action. Sell
dom, indeed, do they unanimously
agree that the government is right.
But it is their government, a govern
ment of and by the people, and they
know that way is provided by which
4 majority of the people can make
their opinions and their desires eff
fective by the orderly process of the
law. They do not fight their govern
mont. That is to say, they do not re-
sist it's mandates, nor oppose its OPP
Grafton by violence. They have the
right of criticism, the privilege of
protest, but when the law is expressed
by constituted authority they obey it,
realizing that in no other way can we
maintain a government of law and
order, and that only through a gov
ernmcnt of law and order can the in
dividual cs well as tie public welfare
be preserved. The leaders Of the mine
workers are to be congratulated on
their decision. 1t is a wise decision,
but above all, it is American. The
strike we may assume, is over. The
great menace that hung over the ma
ton is removed. That some Of the
workers may be reluctant to return to
work is probable, but we do not be-
lieve that many will put themselves in
an attitude of rebellion toward their
own leaders as well as toward the
Government Of the United States,
says the Globe-Democrat.
And now an obligation rests upon
the government and the people in this
matter. The coal mining industry is
one of the essentials of civilized ex-
istence. 1t is so great, and it is so
necessary to our daily life, so neces-
sary to our happiness and prosperity,
that we cannot permit it TO stop.
There are, and must be, limitations to
the right to strike, when a strike so
involves the essentials that it in
ficts great suffering and financial
loss upon the general public. But that
very fact imposes a special obligation
to see that the workers in such an es-
sential industry are given square
deal. There are conditions in the coal
mining industry that need correction.
The chief difficulty appears to be the
lack of continuity in employment. The
coal miner is idle one-third of his
lncng nhptIt
100 days out of each year, with a cor
responding reduction in his earnings.
Yet coal can be mined every day and
ought to be. How to equalize coal
production is problem that should he
solved. And no doubt there are other
problems that press for solution. A
thorough and perfectly fair investi-
CATION should be made by the govern
ment at once. the facts made public
and remedies recommended! No
doubt there will have to be public CO.
operation, and it. will be necessary to
develop that by the encouragement of
a greater summer demand; but if the
public is once made to understand that
it has duty in this matter as well as
a material interest. in the equalization
of the production and distribution of
coal, it will act accordingly.
In the meantime the representatives
of the operators and miners should
get together and endeavor to reach
an equitable understanding as to the
immediate questions of wages, hours,
and conditions of employment Here,
too, the government should step in as
mediator in the general interests of
the public and in the interest of JUS
tice for all concerned. The majesty Of
the law has been sustained. The pro
cesses of constitutional government
have again proven effective. The pow
er of public opinion has once more re-
vealed itself, and, as always, on the
side of orderly and lawful procedure.
While there was any question about
the supremacy of government the mer-
its of the issues between the miners
and the operators were of secondary
Importance, but now they should be
inquired into carefully and justice be
done.