The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-29
THE NEXT LABOR PROBLEM.

The railroad brotherhood chiefs
said they could settle but could not
postpone the strike. Nobody wanted
the strike postponed and no settle
ment was reached, but the chiefs
found that they could call it off and
that is what the public desired. The
victory therefore rests with the peo-
pie and the government. The latter
again has demonstrated its ability to
protect the public in it's rights TO
life, liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness," as vouchsafed to it in the
Declaration of Independence.
The next problem of a similar ma
ture which the government probably
will be called upon to face will be
that of maintaining a supply of fuel.
On March 81, next, the biennial wage
agreement of both the bituminous and
anthracite operators with the United
Mine Workers will expire. Foresee-
ing the baneful effects of a stoppage,
the administration at Washington has
been endeavoring to persuade both
miners and operators to agree to ar
bitration in case negotiations fail.
For some time the operators have
suffered at the hands of the miners
union. The public plainly is in the
mood for further price recessions, and
many operators believe the time is
opportune for striking out boldly, rid
ding the coal industry of this restraint,
and coming out for the open shop.
The operators are cognizant that the
pendulum is on the back swing and
some are preparing for a contest.
Adamant at first, the operators seem
point of the administration and have
pledged themselves to arbitration
rather than force a strike.
The mine workers, on the other
hand, seem not chastened by their
enforced tdleness; rather, their deter
mination to continue the present wage
scale or attempt to wrest a higher one
has been stiffened. In a normal year
the average coal miner works 210
days; this year he will work Al days
less than this average. The result IS
that despite the high wages the min
ers are paid-from $3.50 to s12 a day
they are not earning more than a
living wage, taking the year as the
unit 1t largely represents the vicious
outcome of the setting up of a wage
to care for intermittency.
In the face of what seems certain
popular disapprovaI, the mine work
ers are girding themselves for the
forthcoming contest. The strike is
the most powerful weapon in their
hands; the terror of the public at a
shortage of fuel and possible tieup Of
transportation their greatest ally.
Purposely or otherwise, says the
Iron Trade Review, the United Mine
Workers at their recent convention at
indianapolis tied themselves in bow
knot; they decreed the wage scale
should not be reopened until after the
middle of February, or not more than
| forty-five days prior to the expiration
of the present scale. This at once
| casts the shadow of a coal strike over
the spring OF 1922, just when business
is expected to be on the high road 70
recovery. The administration at
washington is frankly concerned N
this matter
| An official of the administration
whose word would be accepted as au-
thority states that "a wise public will
stock three-month coal supply" He
also warns that the railroads will bear
a tremendous RESP onsibility if they dc
not lay in stocks and guard against 4
cessation Of transportation. The dan
ger signals are being displayed, and
Industrial chiefs may appraise the
present situation for themselves.
An American banking syndicate IS
| to be formed in New York for the