The Tomahawk., 1919-12-04
COAL TRUST HOLDS
: Up THE NATION
4. ---
North Dakota Takes Only Way
e. 0ut-Kansas and
Ohio Follow.
NORMAL OUTPUT RESULTS.
NORMAL OUTPUT RESULTS.
Federal Injunction Does Not Dig Coal
=--some Operators Try to Keep
Mines Idle with Court Ac-
ton Against Governor.

Bismar rk, N. q. Thanks 20 the
prompt action of governor Frazier
in providing state operation OF
mines, North Dakota has been
able to produce coal. The danger
Of Ignite shortage is over and
local shortage of other soft coal
. may be supplied by the local pro-
duct. --~.'
+, Wyoming is the only other state
which can show normal produc-
y ton since the federal government
~ issued its Injunction. And its out
s. put is of little Importance. ~ .
Kansas and Ohio have followed
the lead Of North Dakota In TAX
. jna over mines and the governor
Of Iowa has taken some steps in
the same direction. .:.
Attempt of some North Dakota
mine operators to keep their
mines idle through use Of the
- courts is not likely TO succeed.
In the mean time the federal gov
ernment which finds that injune-
tions do not dig coal, is being
forced rapidly towards national
ization Of mines. F..
" Already. the movement OF freight
has been held up to an alarming ex-
tent. Many great industries are likely
to have to close, throwing millions OF
employees out of work and further
curtailing our general under-produc-
tion. The life of the nation must soon
become impossible unless the govern
menf takes over the mines and opens
them for use or unless the operators
speedily make offers satisfactory to
the employees
Few Miners Return.
Very few of the striking miners re-
turned when their leaders called on
the strike in response to the threat
from the department Of Justice The
4OO, 900 on strike at first were joined
by more from the non-union mines.
This leaderless mass action OF the
plain workers is unassailable proof
that they have just grievances which
have been. ignored by the govern
ment. 4.
They have complained that while
the government relieved the mine of
all restraints in regard to price and
output they have been kept at wages
which now amount to starvation con-
ditions and that the number Of days
work per week has become smaller
than before. ~
Il A War.Made Trust.
The general facts of the coal situa~
tion appear to show that powerful
financial interests have been manouv-
erfng for shortage of coal to force
ND the price. Our supplies were short
when the strike started and the work
'ers had suffered from this hoId-up
during the summer and early fall No
attempt had been made to deny the
shortage. It has been blamed on the
railroads and other factors. It Is rea-
sonable to suppose. therefore. that the
strike merely ha1nned the shortage
which we would nave had any way
due to Elanipulations. for higher
profits. ..ss ...
During the war the government
brought all the soft coal mine owners
and operators together in an all in
elusive trust. 1t dealt with them as
d! unit. The advantages of this close
knit organization were obvious and
the operators have been using it to
promote the profits of peace.
The country is helpless before such
n trust and must sooner or later fol
low the lead of Governor Frazier or
consent to be bled to death.
The present action taken by North
Dakota is regarded as temporary. The
mines taken over will be returned to
their owners when the immediate
crisis appears to be at an end. But
the present experience will undoubted-
" hasten the states long declared
purpose of opening extensive mines
ON the public domain. -E{