Arizona republican., 1922-03-23
THURSDAY MORNING. MARCH 20. 1922
All persons are not discreet enough
to k11oq0 hoa0 to take things by the
right handle. -Cervantes.
Tho Coal strik.

The country Is now face to face with the great
strike in the industrial history of the country--a
strike which it is announced will tie up every coal
mine in the country, anthracite and bituminous. 1t
is coming at time OF the year when 1t will produce
the least poignant suffering but it will be the
less paralyzing Of industry. 1t will also probably in
volve the railroads to the extent that they win not
be able any that the mine operators may
be able to get with the aid of belonging
I to the unions.
The government finds itself unable at the moment
to intervene in the intended strike Whether circum
STAGES will later force its intervention Is yet to be
shown, but certainly the strike cannot be allowed
run long without overwhelming disaster to the
country.
or course this thing can not be allowed to go
on to be determined by the superior staying powers
Of the operators the miners. The public has a
greater in the settlement the dispute than
either OF the parties and the pubcs interest
be recognized and will be recognized. The govern
ment took cognizance of the threatened strike
December when the labor leaders the invitation of
the president attended conference at the White
House. Mr.. Hoover who attended and became the
spokesman the public, then explained that nothing
could be Immediately accomplished since the leaders
were unable to speak Of their demands which 1t had
decided at the Indianapolis meeting could
not be formulated before February. Mr. Hoover
however hopeful from the attitude Of the leaders
OF an adjustment which in interview at Los An
sgeles on Tuesday he believed might be effected
through negotiations between the department of
commerce and the disputants, both Of whom must
make sacrifices in the greater interest OF the public
The unions far nearly in the clear
than the operators. II the strike should come to
head at midnight Of March 81, the public will find
the operators wholly to blame; the miners up to the
hour of closing the mines will have lived up to the
terms Of their agreement with the operators while
the latter will have violated the terms in that they
will have refused negotiate agreement
even go into a conference concerning new agree
ment
The miners have not insisted, for they have not
had the opportunity so. that the present wage
scale shall be maintained in a agreement. So
far the operators know, the miners would consent
to some reduction Of the scale though they probably
would not.
The attitude OF the mine owners is similar to
that of the anthracite operators in 1902 when after
disturbance OF years President Roosevelt forced
into arbitration arrangement the trouble
was over what inducement the president offered
them be tractable is not known but it was under
stood that he told them that 1t the purpose Of
the government to see that the anthracite mines
should resume production
Public sympathy in coal strikes is usually on the
side Of he workers. The operators IN either indus
trial peace seldom take the trouble to culti-
vate the public good will They grow rich by ham
mering the wages OF the miners to the lowest pos
sible level and by extorting from consumers by de-
vious direct methods the last cent which may
be obtained.
Such great and vital industry cannot be left
by the government in the unrestrained control of
such The government, think. will find st
necessary before long act with vigor for the
toration of peace in the coal fields.