New-York tribune., 1919-03-28

~S"' "''''hS uioputN.
All English coal mines are under govern
ment control
The miners said
We want 80 per cent wage increase.
We want six-hour day.
We want naturalization of the mines
We want certain assurances in regard TO
employment for demobiized men.
The owners said many things, all of which
came to this point
We cannot grant these demands
Then it was found that the demands of
the miners had a very direct bearing on
many other industries, including the steel in
dustry. British export trade Also it was
found. was involved to a large degree.
SO here was situation that caught the
interest Of every one
The miners were determined. President
Robert Smile is good fighter and he has
plenty of good fighters back of him.
Then came the offer Of royal commits
sion, containing labor representation. The
miners were bit suspicious at the outset,
but accepted the offer upon proving up the
good faith back of it,
This commission is charged with the duty
of investigating everything that has to do
with coal digging, coal transportation, coal
management and financing.
There will not be business secret left in
coal when this inquisition is finished.
All about costs, profits, assets, liabii-
ties, stocks, bonds, transit costs, foreign
markets. foreign competition all this is to
be laid on the table where the whole ma
tion may see.
This has never been done in England be-
fore, and the people-thc miners especially
eager to know what is to come out of
it all.
OF course the fact that such an invcsti-
cation is under way prcsupposes the idea
that every one has right to know all about
the coal business.
And the meaning of it is that the rela-
ton between worker and employer, between
miner and mine owner and between miner
and the general public is to be established
on basis Of facts about the industry
If settlements of this kind arc to be
made on a basis of facts about the industry,
instead of on basis of the relative strength
of workers and employers as cstabi shed in
conflict, then that also is something worth
giving eye to.
i|uGii9H ldDOT men ike j, Ii. IlyHCS and
J. II. Thomas think this development in the
coal fields is Of the most significant
brought into industry as a result of this
war.
a large number Of people in England are
working diligently and thinking deeply in
an effort to devise permanent means OF
settling disputes in industry without
strikes. II is possible that the present Coal
Commission may develop something highly
valuable IN this respect ut any rate ns far
MS government controlled industries are
concerned.
But there arc other Developments under
way.
England thinking England feels that
the national welfare requires full speed
operation of industry without stoppagc. W
A. Appleton, secretary OF the General Fed
Grafton Of Trade Unions, has repeatedly de-
clared that British needs require the full
output of British industry. Appleton is
being listened to by great many powerful
forces in England Arthur Henderson makes
more noise, but there is vastly more inAu-
cnce back of Appeton's uttcranccs, in pro
portion to volume, than there is back of
Hendcrson's.
There has just been held in England
national industrial congress, summoned bv
order of Primo Minister Lloyd George. in
which organized labor, organized employ
ers and the government participated
What this proceeding comes down to ia
the establishment Of legislative body for
industry. The first session was not i'm
portant, 80 far as developments 60. 1t was
preliminary formative. 1t set a big com
mlttec to work and the real cloth Will be
woven when the next congress is held
In this congress there were sitting to-
gether in deliberative session representa-
t'ves of organized employers and organized
workers from all parts of England.
Then there are the industrial connc;,s
being set up in pursuance of the recommen-
cations of the Whitley Committee COM
mlttees composed of organized workers and
organized employers, laid out in the form
of works committees, district committees
and national committees 1t is the stated
object Of these councils to give the workers
larger voice in tho conduct Of industry.
which, however, is a somewhat vague phrase.
the meaning of which has not vet become
clear.
The government is backing the Whitley
council idea as a winner, and councils have
been established nationally in some eiph
teen industries.
The more powerful unions are not embrac-
ing the 'dca The miners have given no sign
OF wanting it. The railway workers have