Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-05-21
/ Y. urges, :! / Z
SQUARE DEALBY
COAL OPERATORS
Such Advice is Given at
Meeting Of National Coal
Association.

New York, May 21.-Former Gov
ernor John J. Cornwell of West Vir-
gina advised the National Coal asso-
citation today to see that the public
gets a square deal at all times in the
purchase Of coal. He urged the coal
organisation to compel the outlaw
operators who gouge the public to
plaH the game on the square,"
He told the coal men that they
cannot expect public support and CO.
operation II some coal operators or
dealers gouEe the public every time
they had an opportunity. He warned
theml OF the danger OF government
control or naturalization of mines
and told them that what happened
to the railroads may happen to the
coal business ii it does not meet the
requirements of the public
Mr., Cornwell first pointed out the
necessity of educating the public to
spread its coal purchases over the
whole year so as to produce an even
demand for that fuel.
III the people can get coal. get it
when they want it and get it at fairly
decent prices, whatever politicians
may say or want, the people will not
want the government to take over
your business to manage it or handi-
cap 1t in any way" said Mr.. Corn
f
ut il partly with you,. gentlemen
TO- decide whether there will eventual
ly be government control of the in
dustry. 1t 10 up to you to bring about
the cooperation Of the government,
and the public rather than to invite
their hostility; to see at all times tina,
the public gets a square deal mot only
from the producers, of coal but from
the dealers and agents who handle it.,
Railroads Attacked.
Mr.. Cornwell told the coal men tina
II the railroads had been square and
reasonable in their early history the.
death" Il think the history of tn,
railroad control and railroad legisla
! ton may furnish counterpart O
what may happen in the coal busi
ness" he continued. eff the opera
tors, furnish the coal and furnish i
when demanded at reasonable prices
there will be no government. regula
ton; otherwise it will come, .whethe
wise or not. Hence. the irnportanc,
Of getting the demand spread over 4;
sumctent length Of time each year TO
the operators to produce it and th
| railroads to transport it.
l You need the support Of the pub
lie and need to take it into your con
fidence. You can't get that co-opera
tion il some operators or dealer
gouge the public every time they hav
an opportunity"
4 Admitting that the cost Of Goa
production had Increased tremen
dously, !" Mr.. Cornwell added:
/ De.sands Square Deal.
''But hers and there are OUTLAY
operators just as there are outlaws /,
\ other businesses-who gouge If the
get q chance: Your coal organiza
tons should tighten up and max
them play the game on the square
You can not afford to antagonize tn
public aside from the fact the publ
will tie you up with government con
troll
/ t'The question of the nationalist
tion of coal mines in this country ha
not been dropped. The United Min
Workers organization has that stuc
back in its head. II, for any reason
the government should take over tn
railroads. the naturalization of tn
coal mines would absolutely be sur
to follow. Rear that in your mind
when you are making your kick
against the railroads"