The New York herald., 1922-11-20
HARD COAL MEN NOT
FOR STANDARDIZING
Operators and Miners Say
Such System Would BE
Impracticable.
REPLY TO FEDERAL BOARD
Employers Urge Inquiry Into
Labor Policies of Unions
and Their Own.
REPLY TO FEDERAL BOARD

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.--Anthracite
operators sent to the Federal Coal Com
mission to-day responses to the prelimi-
nary QUESTIONABLE which that body sent
out in beginning its work of ascertain
ing facts as to the coal industry. while
at the same time a committee of the
United Mine Workers, representing en-
ployees in both bitumirous and anthra-
cite regions, made public the unions
conclusions upon some of the same
points.
On one important point, arising from
the commissions requests for views as
TO the possibility of standardizing mine
wages and units Of output from work
ers, both communications agreed In re-
jecting the proposals as mpracticable.
They were also in substantial agree
ment in treating a second proposal of
the commission, regarding the possibi-
ity Of closing down high cost mines, to
maintain production from more economic
mines. The anthracite employers de-
clared the general scarcity of anthracite
required continuation of operations In
every mine which could afford output,
while the miners said normal competi-
tion could be trusted TO regulate the
whole subject and to close down the
more expensive operations.
Separate Treatment Wanted.
The operators letter contended en-
phatically that the anthracite industry
should be considered as separate and
autonomous" from the bituminous in
dustry. to prevent 1t from becoming. "as
It has in the past, the victim Of labor
disputes with which it IS in no way con-
cerned." Signed by S. ID. Warriner,
president of the Lehigh Coal and Nav-
cation Company, and five other employ
ers, 1t reserved answers on number OF
queries propounded by the commission
to give more study to them. but dealt
specifically with labor situations as Of
most immediate Importance.
I'VE are unconvinced Of the wisdom
or practicability OF attempting 10 stand
ardize the Scost OF living for individual
workers" the letter said with respect
to the commissions suggestions on labor.
Standardization would necessarily lg-
more individual abilities and require
ments. Human beings cannot be stand
ardlzed
Neither the wages Of mine workers
nor OF any other groups Of workers can
be considered Independently of other
ers are receiving q scale of wages far
above that paid In other industries, with
TIE result that the workers In these
other industries are paying tribute TO
the mine wprkers. Continuation of such
condition cannot fail TO have disas-
trous results upon the anthracite indus
try. and therefore upon those employed
in It.
1--WE suggest that the commission
should ascertain the labor policy OF the
operators and likewise ascertain the
labor policy OF the United Mine Work
ers with respect to the anthracite in
dustry, including their fundamental
aims. the methods pursued by them aud
the extent. II any. TO which the policy
OF either ia detrimental to the industry
and therefore to the interest Of the pub
lic."
In the matter OF coal prices the op-
orators said zone OF the many sources Of
Misunderstanding" Is the great differ
ence between the mine price and the con-
sumers' price, the latter including ev-
penses OF transportation and charges OF
middlemen and retailers. over which the
operators have no control.
Review OF Miners Letter.
The miners letter, signed by Ellis
Searles, Thomas Kennedy and John
Moore. the unions official committee.
dealt sharply with the suggestion that
coal mines might be closed by govern
mental action II their operation was de-
cided unnecessary aSd uneconomlc.
Normal competition" they said. would
bring low cost mines to full operation
and close down expensive ones.
"It would be manifestly unconstltu-
tional for this Government 10 eliminate
any number Of coal mines from opera
tion by any sort OF selective process"
the committee added. Therefore, we
have no suggestions 90 offer in regard
to the possibility OF closing down any
number OF mines, unless this end can be
brought about through encouragement Of
open competition. In order that such
competition might be encouraged we
suggest that every effort should be
made to improve transportation facil!-
ties.
we do believe however. ana we
recommend to this commission. that
some means be found TO prevent the
opening up OF any new mines in the
United States. at, least for consider
able period OF time. Thera are too
many mines in this country now"
With the Standardization. cost of liv-
ing and work output suggesdcns CT the
commission the union committee indi-
Gated disfavor
How this commission can hope 20
standardize the cost OF living without
at the same time standardlzing the level
of living OF mine workers is beyond the
OF this cenmittee," the
letter said. 1T seems TO Us It would
be impossible 10 standardize the cost
OF living unless each individual mine
worker was required % accept and
adopt a standard, identical level OF
living for himself and his family. Any
attempt 10 establish such "A standard
would out Soviet any system.
either paternalistic or communistic, that