Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-10-30
MINE WORKERS FILE
THEIR SUGGESTIONS
Tell Coal Commission Wha,
They Think Would Aid
Industry.
Absentce Ownership OF Mining
Areas, Regulation of Conf Produce
tton md survey Of Transportation
Facilities Arc Recommendations
my Associated Press ]

WASHINGTON, oct. ga commit
tee representing the United Mine
Workers Of America has filed with
the United States Coal Commission
Investigating tho Industry. report
containing comment and suggestions
The document. madc public today
Is signed by Ellis Searlos editor Of
tho unions magazine: John Moore
It's Legislative representative, and
Thomas Kennedy. Of the organization.
and seeks 20 lay before the commits
Sion~ihc unions idea OF how 1t should
conduct Its Investigation and the OBJ
icctivcs TO be attained.
Absentee ownership OF coal min
ms areas. the intrusion Of profit
taking mlddlemcn IN marketing.
regulation OF coal production and the
survey OF transportation and storage
facilities available for coal distr,-
button, the report emphasized. should
be investigated by the commission.
Much Comment withheld.
On number of subjects about
which the commission asked views
the committee withheld comment
asking further time for study. but
save assurance that all available in
formation would be presented when
called for.
The commission. through its own
avenues. should investigate the ex-
tent TO which absentee ownership
prevails IN the coal Industry the
report said. I'VE believe this is an
evil that has much TO do with tho
strained relations and unfortunate
conditions which exist in the indus
try.
We believe that the commission
should ascertain why IL is that the
price OF coal to tho domestic con-
sumner is always higher than the
price to railroads and other large
purchasers. We believe this line
could be developed II the commits
sion would inquire into railroad coal
contracts and tho methods by which
such contracts are made"
Investigate Investment.
In seeking production cost figures,
tho report suggested tho commission
should take up tho question Of in
vestment to see whether 'capitaliza-
t!on is water upon which the coal
consumer is required TO pay interest
and dividends" az well rs wages
The commission should ascertain
tho actual m!nc cost OF production"
II added, and then compare that cost
with the price which the consumer
pays and find out who gets the money
represented by those two figures"
On tho point of larger costs, the
comInittco asked the commission to
consider the account of representa-
tive mines in all sections OF the coun-
try, and 10 refrain from giving CON
elusive consideration TO the rate of
wages OF the mine worker per day
but consider the amount of his an
puai earnings"
Inspect Irregular Production.
ITegularity OF production. waste
Ut coal mining operations and trans
5uTtation methods. 1t was declared.
put heavy charges against coal pro-
ductton and deserve attention.
Eve believe figures show there
ghould be n much greater supply Of
coal cars In the country" the report
said with reference TO transporta-
tion. land the commission should AS
certain the facts and make such
recommendations as will remedy this
condition. We suggest that the com
mission inquire fully into the prac-
ticability and adv!sability OF recon-
nending the creation Of some sort of
Eystcm for the storage of coal"
The committee declared the proper
commission should not hesitate to
make recommendation affecting the
jurisdiction OF the Interstate Com
merce Commission over coal freight
rates 1: found 10 he necessary.