The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-09
SOLVING THE COAL PROBLEM.

SOLVING THE COAL PROBLEM.
The Washington Post, in a recent
editorial said:
Congress can do no better service
for the people than to relieve them OF
the exactions of spectators and
profiteers in coal. 1t is dliIicuit
task. but it can be performed if the
will is there to perform it. One of the
first points to be ascertained is the
proper price to be allowed, which
must be based upon the cost OF pro-
duction. Producers have stood IN
their own light by confusing the pub
lie as to the actual cost OF production,
and in some cases producers have no
clear idea of their own regarding costs.
The government can ascertain the cost
by taking over the ownership and
operation of typical mines. if in no
other way. This is a condition which
calls for prompt remedy and there
should be no hesitation in applying the
strong hand of the government, not
for universal government ownership
and operation, but solely for the pur-
pose of getting at actual costs.
Pity the consumers II the price of
coal is to be based upon the cost of
government operation of the mines.
So many congressional committees,
grand juries, commissions, bureaus,
civic societies, religious bodies and
state, county, city, ward and district
authorities have conducted fuel in
quiries that the Mining Congress
Journal is led to remark: "If all the
investigators engaged in digging into
the facts respecting the coal situation
will just forget about the facts and go
to digging coal, there will be no more
fuel famines as long as the world
stands"
But it seems there is to be yet an
other investigation conducted by the
Industrial research division of the
Church League for Industrial De-
mocFaey." The leader is to be an emf
nent New York divine, and he will
have associated with him two theo-
logical professors. the vice presidest
of a New York daily newspaper. the
president of state federation of la
Dor. lady college president, a mem
Der of the National Young Women's
Christian Association the president of
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
of America, two magazine writer's.
one dean, three rectors and the editor
of the largest socialist daily in the
country.
The investigators will not be con-
tent with halfway measures. They
intend to learn all about 1t while they
are at it. Their official announce
ment proclaims that they will not only
work along the general lines followed
by the 'Interchurch World Move
ment' in it's steel investigation, but
that they will give special attention to
contracts between employers and en-
ployes. with particular consideration
for the spirit" of cooperation be-
tween the two; that they will also in
vestigate housing and rental condi-
lions, especially in industrial settle
ments and localities, and that they
will conduct an intensive study into
wages paid. working conditions of the
mines. and the social environment of
the mining communities.
Commenting on the program the
Mining Congress Journal says:
If there is anything in the public,
private, home, business or religious
life of the mining community which
10 llOI " DS 6aINcycQ dHdlfZ0u, us
seeted, passed upon and pasteurized 1t
is difficult to name it off-hand--ex-
cept, of couse, the little matter of in
creased production of anthracite and
bituminous which it too trivial to talk
about, even to think about.
The ability of the investigators is
self-evident. The list of names is i'm
pressive and representative. What II
lacks in some respects it more than
makes up in others. 1t does not in
clude any mining operators, engineers
or biologists, but their assistance is
contain the name of any one who
earns a living by the sweat of his
brow, but it does embrace several who
derive their incomes fromF swinging
their tongues. There are none who
know how to handle a pick, but sew
eral who can shove a pen nightly.
None is included among the best
minds" with whom President-electl
Harding eounseled at Marion, but sew
eral' of them could go to the Atlanta
penitentiary and gain an immediate
audience with Eugene Debs. 1t is not
necessary to give their names: a cata-
log of their avocations and entitlements
is sufficient to show that they consti-
tute a select assemblage, a company of
colossal intellects, galaxy of great
undoubtedly round out and bring to
perfect completion the unfinished but
highly valuable and resultfu1 en-
deavors of all the other notable inves-
tigating bodies who have gone before
them.
The American Bankers association
urging legislation by congress that will
bring about payment to the railroads,
in part or in toto. the amounts due