Evening journal., 1922-08-19

oruer were promptly SlNen. III
some instances concrete proof Of
effective readiness 10 protect all
men. strikers and non-striking
workmen alike. was promptly
given. But little or no new pro-
duction followed. The simple but
significant truth was revealed
that, except for such coal as
comes from the districts worked
by non-union miners, the country
is at the mercy of the United Mine
Workers.
Governors in various states re-
ported that their operators and
miners had no dispute and were
eager to resume production. Dis
trict leaders informed that their
workmen were anxious 10 return
to their jobs but that they were
not permitted TO do so. Hundreds
of wives OF workmen have address
ed the White House. beseeching a
settlement. alleging that they had
no grievance. and there is an un-
ending story OF appeals for relief
where necessity or suffering was
impelling. where a mere express
sion of need ought to find ready
compliance.
AT tvery stage. the Government
has been a just neutral regarding
wage scales and working contracts.
There are fundamental evils IN our
present system OF producing and
distribution which make the wage
problem difficult. In the bitumin-
Gus coal fields are vastly more
miners than are requisite TO the
country's needs, and there are
100000 more mine workers than
are needed to produce in contin-
uous employment the copntry's
normal requirements. BY cont.n-
uous employment. 1 mean approx
imately ESQ working days in the
year. In many instances last year
men we're employed less than $50
days, in some cases much fewer
than that.
Solution is Demanded.
In the overmanned sections
men divide the working time and
high wages are necessary to meet
the cost of the barest living. In
terrupted transportation, sorely
broken employment. the failure 10
develop storage against enlarged
demands and inadequate carrying
all these present problems bear
on righteous wage adjustment !
and demand constructive solution.
Because Of these things. be- /
cause Of the impressions Of many
cases Of unjustified profits in the
industry, and because public inter
est demands investigation and de-
mands the finding of facts be f,
given 10 the public. am asking I
at your hands the authority to
create n commission to make a
searching investigation into the ,
whole coal industry with provision
for its lawful activities and the be-
stowal of authority 20 reveal every (
phrase of coal production, sale and I
distribution. 1 am speaking now
on behalf OF mine workers. mine |
operators and the American pub
lie. L will bring protection TO all |
and point the way,to continuity OF
production and the better eco
nomic functioning Of the industry /
in the future.
Searching Inquiry Needed.
THE necessity for such a search
ing national investigation with con-
structive recommendation is i'm
perative. At the moment the coal /
skies are clearing. but unless we
find cure for the economic ills
which affect the industry and
therein find a basis for righteous
relationship, we shall be faced with
a like menacing situation on next
April I on the expiration of the
wage contracts which are now be-
ing made.
THE need for such Investigation
and independent consideration is
by both operators and
mine workers in the provision 10
the Cleveland agreement so recent
ly made. The government will
gladly cooperate with the indus
try in this program so far as
II is in the public interest to do
so. but ] have an unalterable con-
viction that no lasting satisfaction
or worthwhile results will ensue
unless we may have a government
commission. independent of the
industry. clothed with authority by
the Congress to search deeply. so
that It may advise as 10 fair wages
and as to conditions of labor and
the enactment of laws
to protect the public I'm the future.
THE almost total exhaustion of
stocks of coal. the crippled condi-
ton of the railways, the distress
ed situation that has arisen and
might grow worse in our great
cities due to the shortage OF an
thracite, the suffering which might
arise in the Northwest through
failure TO meet winter needs by
lack of transportation. all these
added to the possibility of out
rageous price demands. in spite OF
the most jealous voluntary ef-
forts of the government to re-
strain them, make it necessary TO
ask you to consider at once some
form OF temporary control of dis
and prices.
No Legal Powers.
The administration earnestly
has sought TO restrain profiteering
and TO secure the rightful distrib-
itlon of such coal as has been
AVAILABLE in this emergency There
we're no legal powers for price
,ontrol. There has been cordial
cooperation in many fields. a fine
of business conscience