The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-12-31

Inc only remedy for the crimi-
nal waste of the nations coal de-
posts and its human resources is
naturalization of the mines, accord
ing to John Brophy, president of
District No. 2 Of the United Mine
Workers Of America.
Private ownership was indicted as
wasteful, extravaganf. inhuman and
greedy, and extracts from official
Investigations and government re-
ports were cited by Mr.. ,Brophy as
proof of his charges.
The last conyention of the Mine
Workers union named Mr.. Brophy
chairman of its Naturalization Re-
search committee, and his statement
is based upon an intensive inquiry of
the whole question of fuel produce
ton and distribution.
THE miners stand for rationale
cation and democratic management
Of the Mines" said Mr.. Brophy.
1.-The operators oppose nationaliza-
ton. In order to discover who is
advocating the right remedy for the
ills Of the industry, we ask all to
stop theoretical squabbling and CO.
operate with us in making all facts
about the industry available to the
public.
Wants Judgement on Facts.
eve ask immediate legislation
for centralized, continuous and COM
pulsory fact-finding in the coal in
dustry. If naturalization would be
detrimental to the public interest, as
the operators maintain. we do not
see why they should fear to give the
public all the statistics at their dis
posal.
I'VE believe in intelligently plan
ned industry. We believe the only
method for the intelligent organiza-
ton of this industry Is nationaliza-
ton. The employers disagree. In
order to arrive at decision we ask
them to submit the facts to the
American people, the only jury that
has right to pass judgment on the
case. Only in this way can a sound
judgment be given"
Mr.. Brophy declared that the coal
industry as a whole Is in a chaotic
state, with conditions gradually be-
coming worse. 1.-THE coal industry
is SICK he said, "but it refuses to
let the doctor make an examination.
You are asked to give an opinion
about coal, and when the miners ask
that all the facts be put at your dis
posal the operators start a publicity
campaign against the facts through
paid advertisements in the news
papers.
Public Does Not Know Truth.
"As jury you are asked to give
a verdict without being permitted
to see any evidence. You are asked
to make up your minds after hearing
only the speeches of the lawyers on
both Sides"
Supporting his charge that the in
dustry was inefficient and wasteful
Mr.. Brophy declared that Secretary
Of Commerce Hoover had stated
that, considered as a whole, it is
one Of the worst functioning indus
tries in the United States"
The unstable conditions surround
ing the production of coal cost the
American public 81 for every ton
consumed, or more than $6OO,OOO,-
900 annually. The annual loss of
coal, due to sacrifice of pillars, is
at least 150,000,000 tons. Many
hundreds Of millions of tons are
left in the ground that could be say
ed.
1.-THE waste In transportation, t"
continued Mr.. Brophy, "is appalling"
Coal violates every principle Of
transportation and there is no solu-
ton of the problem until the in
dustry is wisely organized. The ma
ton can not maintain a railroad
system based upon the peak of de-
mand without running the people,
Mr.. Brophy stated.
Mining for the Stock Market.
"Coal not now is being mined for
use, but for the stock market" Mr..
Brophy said. GAS long as profits,
enormous profits, are made, the
public and the miner do not mat
ter" He said that coal operators
were the worst of the wartime
gougers, and cited official statistics
to bolster his allegation.
On the question of human waste,
Mr.. Brophy said:
1.-THE miner does not work under
the safest conditions. Our industry