Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-12
FIRE IN EYE
OF SOLON FROM
TERRE HAUTE
Rep. Bidaman UnalterabIy
Opposed to State Coal
Mine Scheme.
SAYS HE HAS SUPPORT

Determined to make fight against
Gov. Goodrich's plan to have the leg.
islature, in special session, to au-
thorize the purchase of a state-owned
coal mine, Charles H. Bidaman, rep
resentative from Terre Haute, to-
day arrived to attend the special
session.
Mr.. Bidaman stated that his con-
stituents were unalterably opposed
to the Goodrich plan of a state-owned
coal mine, and that he was prepared
to offer a resolution calling for the
appointment of a joint committee of
representatives and senators with
power to hold meetings over the
state to determine the opinion of
the voters as well as to make com
plete investigation of the desirability
of the state operating a coal mine.
1t is the plan Of Mr.. Bidaman to have
the committee report at the next session
OF the legislature in January Of next
year.
Mr. Bidaman claims a mine owned by
the ViRo Mining Company and located
northeast OF Terre Haute on the belt line
Of the G. < F. 7. railroad, is the one
mentioned as the prospective purchase.
The report OF the subcommittee Of the
state Joint purchasing committee. accord
Ing to Mr.. Bidaman, is that coal Is selling
on the open market at from So 10 50 n
ton and that the figures from the state
m Ina A..
period from oct 1, 1919. to June ! 1920.
there was mined by the Vlgo Mining Com
pany total Of 1881 tons Of mine run
coal at an average miners wage OF 81
( n ton and an average gross Of S1.SS.
CLAIMS FIGURES
ARE MISLEADING.
Mr.. Bidaman claims that these figures
do not show the overhead costs Of pro-
I ducing the coal, nor do they show any
approximate freight charges from the
mine 10 any OF the state institutions.
ft Is the contention Of the representa-
tive that the question Of a state-owned
mine requires the most careful iuyesti-
cation, hrst, as to the grade OF coal the
mine would produce. the cost Of produc-
tion, the equipment it's cost, and las,
but not least the class Of labor neces-
sary 70 mine the coal and the officials
]
property"
Representative Bidaman poiuts out that
labor aud political problems might re-
suit from state owned coal mine
The Bsdaman plan calls for the APP
pointment OF a joint committee consist
Ing Of three members Of the senate. one
ot which shall be Of the minority party,
and three members OF the house. one OF
which shall be Of the minority party.
This cDmmitiee, II appointed, viii sit
IN various cities OF the state to enable
citizens 90 appear befote the committee
and express their ideas as to state
owned coal mlne and also % permit the
committee 20 investigate the records Of
the state purchasing committee and the
recorcs and books OF any coal mines
under consideration.
CONVICT LABOR
USE QUESTIONED.
DIR. Bidaman raises the question con-
cerning the possibility Of the use OF con
Wet labor I'm case Of strike at the state
owned mine.
He contends that the use of convict
labor would further complicSte matters
and work hardships upon those who
have transgressed the laws OF the state
and society aud who are being punished
by such terms of incarcaration and who
are IN the yarioas penal institutions OF
the state as the result OF sentences being
passed upon them by q trial judge"
Representative Bidaman asserts that
the citizens Of Indiana have the right 70
know how all money IS to be expended
In the purchase and the operation OF a
mine.
According to the Bidaman plan. the
committee Is 10 have the assistance Of the
accountants Of the state auditors office.
and experienced legal counselors, as well
continued on Page TMoO