Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-05-24
Trying tho Public Patience

w ITH the available supply OF stored coal
w Steadliy diminishing the strike
progresses. the country within the next
thirty days will begin to feel tho inevitable
pinch OF the shortage, unless in the mean
time settlement Of the controversy be-
tween the miners and the operators Is eff
iected This is unlikely, as neither the gov
crnment nor the miners and operators have
made any move in that direction. The mar
ket already is manfcsting tendency to-
ward advancing prices. To meet this situa-
ton. Secretary Hoover recently held con-
ference with a group Of fifty operators and
tentative agreement was reached for the
creation of clearing house committees in
each producing district to supervise the dis
tribution Of coal orders see that coal is sold
direct 10 consumers and that the price is
reasonable. The Garfield price of 1917 after
some hesitation, was agreed basis
when Secretary Hoover said that there
would be no difficulty in obtaining the sup
port of public opinion for plan Of getting
the public enough coal and cheaper coal
even though It should involve temporary
price restraints" This agreement is sub
jet TO the approval of the $50 other opera
tors in the bituminous field who were not
present at the meeting.
Upon the success OF this plan for the
control OF prices pending the duration of the
strike will depend the extent of government
assertion OF its power TO interpose in be-
half OF the public's interests. The govern
ment must find some way OF keeping the
fuel needs of the country supplied at prices
which do not amount to eXtortion. At the
conference referred TO. Secretary Hoover
significantly warned the operators that 1.-THE
coal industry will either govern itself or
the government will govern it," That warm
ihG puts the operators on notice that it is
up TO them to right something which every
Informed student of the situation comedies
in affirming is fundamentally wrong with
tho coal business. The frequent suggestions
OF government control Of the industry cam
not be said to be backed by any general
demand on the part OF the American people
for government operation except as n last
resort. They have seen IL tried in
the case OF the railroads, and they want no
more OF il, If it can be avoided. If the pub
lie can get reasonable supply of coal at
reasonable prices, it will not interest itself
seriously in any movement looking to the
taking over Of the mines by the government
or to their operation under stringent gov
eminent regulations. But a desperate case
calls for desperate remedy.
The operators have refused to take the
public into their confidence and open their
books TO show the extent of their profits
from the industry. In this attitude of de-
hance, tho public is without tho informa-
tion il needs 10 enable /, TO cooperate in
stabilizing the industry so It can he operated
in harmony with the law of legitimate sup
ply and demand. Hence. the public temper
is increasingly tending toward an angry
mood. II the present strike is long drawn
out and fuel famine ensues with an orgy
OF protiteering, public patience would he
very likely 10 break under the strain and
it is pretty safe guess that there would
then follow governprent action Of the kind
suggested in Secretary IIoover's warning 10
the operators. Recent election results dis
close growing sentimen, against reaction
airy and do-nothing policies of government
and if the public interest in its fuel needs
is not taken care Of Il will speedily find a
way TO assert ts rights in the premises