New-York tribune., 1922-01-28
Federal Coal
COntr0lAsked
In the Senate
Committees Report on
Mingo Disorders Urges
Government Tribunal
and Industrial Code

WASHINGTON. Jan. 27.-Recom
mendations that statutes be enacted to
compel the Incorporation of labor
unions and that there be set up a code
of laws and Federal agency for regu-
lation of the coal industry, affecting
employees and employers alike, were
made to the Senate to-day as result
of the investigation by its Labor Com
mittec into the West Virginia Ken
tucky coal field disorders.
Chairman Kenyon of the investipat
ing committee was author of the pro-
posal FOR a Federal regulatory tri-
bunal, and the suggestion for obliga-
tory incorporate of unions came from
Senators Phipps, of Colorado; Warren.
OF Wyoming. and Sterling, of South
Dakota. all Republicans.
Support Of Senator Kenyon's pro-
posal for the regulatory body was
given by the three Senator's, but they
declared that unless interpretations
we're forced the agency he would set
up would have no legally responsible
body with which to deal. There was
doubt. they added, whether the plan
would avail anything without in
corporation.
Mutual Concessions Urged
Mr.. kcnyon's statement declared
that mutual concessions must be made
by both operators and miners in the
West Virginia troubles to end the con-
illcts. but his colleagues held that the
law should provide that when agree
ments were reached through arbitra-
tion or otherwise the promises thus
exacted must be kept.
The statement Of the three Senators
filed with the Senate late in the dav
said that there should be no objection
on the part of labor to the incorpora-
ton of unions. 1t declared no valid
reason existed for their failure to in
corporate, and added that such action
would benefit the labor unions them
selves. for it would compel an account
Of funds through annual.heports to all
members of the organization. The as
sertion also was made that under the
present method of handling labor or
ganzation's funds "the great body of
union men never know what becomes
of the dues they pay into the general
treasury"
Senators Phipps, Warren and Sterling
also differed with Mr.. Kcnyon's views
as to the responsibility for the West
Virginia conditions, where Mr. Kenyon
charged that both miners and opera
tors were measurab)y RESPONSIBLE
Their view was that "too much stress
has been laid upon the point where
operators were to blame, and not
enough is said about the crimes, in
Guiding murder, of which the employees
were guilty.
Plans for Board and "Codc"
The statement said also that paid
organizers had gone into the West Vir-
ginla fields from other states and had
resorted to intimidations and violence
to force the unionizaton of miners as
body.
The proposed government coal boa rd
would be organized, under Senator
kenyon's suggestion, like the Railway
Labor Board with three representa-
tives each of the employees, the en-
ploycrs and the public. appointed by
the President. The industrial code
would be enacted by Congress and its
principles interpreted by the board.
Senator Kenyon announced that late,
ne WOutu introduce Ulll, covering ms
plan for the coal board and code,
which follows:
First Coal is a public utility. and
in it's production and distribution the
public interest is predominant.
Second Human standards should
be the constraining influence in fixing
the wages and working conditions OF
mine workers.
"rhird Capital prudcntly and hon
estly invested in the coal industry
should have an adequate return suf
iicient TO stimulate and accelerate the
production Of this essential commod
ity.
"Four-The right of operators and
miners to organize is recognized and
affirmed. This right shall not be Do
nicd, abridged or interfered with ir
any manner whatsoever, nor shall
(Conttnucd on next pase>