The Alaska daily empire., 1920-07-27
COAL INDUSTRY MUDDLED

s The statement or President Lewis, of the United Mine Workers America indicating that there IS a. possibility of another coal strike in the bltummous fields of United States accentuates the attention of the public the coal industry, attention having already been drawn to it by shortages already exist ing certain points and forewarnings issued re- gardng probable shortages during the coming Win ter.
 A recent survey made by the National Coal As socation showed that the countries industrals and utilities average from one to two weeks supply oi coal. The normal of 35000,000 tons is prac tically exhausted Three thousand mines, represent ing GO per of the countrys buminous pro- ducton report loss of 433 per cent. of production through shortage while coal movement over the Great Lakes route is than 50 per cent. below normal. New England factories and municipalities issuing appeals for priority shipments which it is said necessary if serious situation is to be avoided.
 But the fault, if there be any, cannot all be laid the miner, For the part he is living up his agreement and has gone at least half way in assisting the Coal Commission appointed last winter by President Wilson to get true conception of the state of affairs existing in the coal mining industry.
 The thing cannot be said with equal truth of the coal operators. George H. Cushing, Manag ing Director of the American Wholesale Coal Asso- citation, few days ago, declared that there coal shortage and no danger of one. He represents the operators generally, although there excep- tions. He contradcts in his statement, conditions as they are generally reported Little credence be given his utterance when Mayors of cities, pub lie utilities companies and large industrial cerns clamoring for immediate relief because of failure of fuel supplies No denial that such situation does exist will be given much weight by the public
 Mr Cushing also attempted to make it appear that governmental agencies which he is strongly opposed to, responsible for spreading alarmist reports, that those who need coal have been thrown into panic He is attributing powers to government agencies far beyond the ordinary and
  ifs and manufacturing plants easily per auaded that there is shortage when they have plenty of coal nor on the contrary they easily convinced that there is shortage when they hnrdly sufficient fuel to keep them running from day to day to say nothing of accommodating a normal supply for emergency purposes The operators are inclined to argue that the appoin tment Of the Coal Commission has hampered coal produce ton. but such statement of the is unsound. Prevention of miners strike is generally regarded extremely practical way of averting a coal famine, whatever the operators may say the trary.
 It is probable that the coal operators can best explain, if they would, the reasons for the coal shortage if they would deal with the public with full frankness. This they will do Only few days the anthracite operators protested strenu- ously against suggestion that they throw their books wide open for examination by the President s Commission, thus challenging suspicion. For both anthracite and bituminious coal for domestic and industrial uses, prices never before ranged high and costs of production appear count for very little in the prices fixed to consumers
 Tine country does want coal strike It resored 10 the courts last winter prevent Neither does want to injustice done the miners and they should be given every protection for their rights legally possible without having resort the strike to secure such protection for themselves The operators we'll the miners, have certain duties to fulfill to the general public and whim theirs should be allowed to endanger the welfare of the great body of American people