Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-08-19
Text or PRESIDENT HARDING'S ADDRESS
TO CONGRESS ON INDUSTRIAL SITUATION

, old basis, Appraising correctly the
hcpelessness OF the situation l
again invited both operators and
workers to meet with me and ten
dcred n means of settlement so
Justly inspired that 1t was difficult
to see how any one believing in in
dustrial peace and justice to ali
concerned could reject 1t. In sub
Istance it called on the operators TO
open their mines, on the mine
workers TO resume work at the
same pay and under the same
working conditions as i9retsiied at
the time the strike began.
Coal Commission.
I'm turn tho government was %
create at once q coal commission,
or two Of them. If preferred by
all parties to the dispute. so that
one could deal with the bituminous
situation. the other with the prob
lens II the anthracite field. Among
the commissioners were to be rep
resentatives of tho operators. rep
resentatives of the mine workers
and outstanding disinterested and
able representatives of the Ameri-
can public. The cOmmi ssion was to
be instructed to direct It's first in
quiry to the rate of wage to be pail
for the period ending next April
and then to enter upon a fact find
ing inquiry into every phase of the
industry and point the way to
avoid future suspensions in pro-
f,,l 4
the suggestion of a fact finding
commission. The anthracite oper-
ators promptly accepted the entire
proposal.
Refused to Resume Work.
THE mine workers refused to
resume work under the arbitration
plan. The majority OF the bitumi-
nous operators filed an acceptance
but considerable minority de-
clined the proposal. Under these
having no authority
to demand compliance the govern
ment had no other course than to-
invite a resumption of production
under the rights of all parties to /
the controversy with assurance I'll
protection Of each ard /
every ono in his lawful pursuit. .
This fact was communicated with I
the governors of all coal producing .
states, and with two exceptions as
surances of maintained law and !
order were promptly given. In (
some instances conclsate proof Of |
effective readiness to protect all !
men, strikers and non-strikinC !
workmen alike, was promptly !
given. But little or no new pro-
1uction followed. The simple b-t
significant truth was revealed that,
'xcept for such coal as comes from
he districts worked by non-or-
-aniZcd ners. the country Is at
he mercy Of the United Mine
Workers.
Governors in various states re-
ported that their operators and
miners had no DISPUTE and were
'ager 10 resume production, Dis
rict leaders Informed me that their
yorkmen were anxious TO return
o their Jobs, but that they were
rot permitted to do so. Hundreds
" wives of workmen have ad-
lressed the White House, heseech-
ng settlement. alleging that theyi
new no grievance. and there Is an
lnendlng story of appeals for relief
where necessity or suffering were I
mpelling. where mere expression !
II need ought to find ready COM !
'liance."
... Just and Neutral.
AT every stage the government
las been Just and neutral regard :
ng wage scales and working con- :
racts. There are fundamental ,
wills in our present system of pro- {
uction and distribution which $
make the wage problem difficult.
n the bituminous coal fields are !
astly more mines than are requi- ,
ite to the country's needs and
here are 100000 more mine work
rs than are needed to produce in ,
employment the coun-
ry's normal requirements. by ,,
ontinuous empl Jyment | mean
pproximately ESQ working days in :
ne year. In many instances last
ear men were employed less than
so days, in some cases much fewer :
han that. In the over-manned )
ections men divide the working
me fnd high wages are necessary
, meet the cost of barest living.
Interrupted transportation, soreN
roken employment, the failure TO q
erelop storage against ENLARGED /.
emands, and inadequate carryingI
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