Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1922-08-18

commission, or TWO OF them, II pre-
ferred by all parties to the dispute
so that one could deal with the BIZ
luminous situation. the other with
the problems in the anthracite field.
Among the commissioners were
to be representatives of the operat-
ors. representatives of the mine
workers, and outstanding, disinter.
ested and able representatives of
the American public. The commits.
sion was to be instructed to direct
its first inquiry to the rate of wage
to be paid for the period ending next
April /, and then to enter upon a
fact finding inquiry into every phase
of the industry, and point the way
to avoid future suspensions in pro-
duction. The disputants all indoors
ed the suggestion of a fact finding
commission. The anthracite opera
tors promptly accepted the entire
proposal. The mine workers refus-
ed to resume work under the arbi-
tration plan. The majority of the
bituminous operators filed an ac.
ceptance, but "A considerable minor
ity declined the proposal
Under these circumstances. hay-
ing no authority to demand compli-
ance, the government had no other
source than to invite a resumption
Of production under the rights of all
parties to the controversy, with as
surance of government protection
Of each and every one in his lawful
pursuits. This fact was COmmnni-
Gated to the governors of all coal
producing states and with two ex-
ceptions assurances of maintenance
OF law and order were promptly Civ
en-. In some instances concrete
proof of effective readiness to pro-
tect all men, strikers and non-strik-
ing workmen alike, was promptly
given. But little or no new produc-
ton followed.
THE simple but significant truth
was revealed, that except for such
! coal as comes from the districts
worked by non-organized miners, the
country is at the mercy Of the Unit
ed Mine Workers.
Governors in various states re-
ported that their operators and min
ers had no dispute and were eager
to resume production. District lead
erS informed me that their work
men we're anxious TO return to their
jobs but that they were not permit
ted to do So Hundreds Of wives
Of Workmen have addressed the
white house, beseeching a settlement,
alleging that they knew no griey-
ance, and there is an intending sto-
ry of appeals for relief where nee
essity or suffering were impelling,
whore mere expression of need
ought to find ready COMP lance.
AT, every stage, the Cd eminent
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 mines
than are requisite to the cOuntrys
needs, and there are 100000 more
mine workers than are needed to pro-
duce in continuous employment the
country's normal requirements BY
proximately ESQ working days in the
year In many instances last year
men were employed less than $50
days, in some cases much fewer
than that, In the over-manned sec
tions men divided the working time
and high wages are necessary to
meet the cost of the barest living
Interrupted transportation, sorely
broken employment, the failure to
develop storage against enlarged de-
mands and inadequate carrying all
these present problems bearing on
righteous wage adjustment, and do
mand constructive solution.
Because Of these things, be
cause Of the impression Of many
cases of unjustifable profits in the
industry, and because public inter
est demands investigation, and de-
mands the finding Of facts be given
to the public, | am asking at your
hands the authority to create d com
mission TO make searching investi-
cation into the whole coal industry
with provision for its lawful actiYt
ties and the bestowal of authority
to reveal every phase of coal pro
duction, sale and distribution. / am
speaking now on behalf of mine
workers, mine operators and the
American public. It will bring pro.
lection to all and point the way to
continuity of production and the bet
ter economic function;ng o. tne in
dustry in the future.
The necessity for such search
ing national investigation with CON
structiye recommendation is imper-
alive At the moment the coal skies
are clearing. but unless we find a
cure for the economic ills which
affect the industry and therein find
a basis for righteous relationship,
we shall be faced with a like men
aclng situation on neXt April l on
the expiration Of the wage contracts
which are now being made.
THE need for such investigation
and Independent consideration is re-
vealed by both operators and mine
workers in the provision in Cleye-
land program so recently made. The
government will gladly cooperate
with the industry in this agreement
so far as it is the public interest 10
do so but | have an unalterable con-