Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-12
THE COAL INQUIRY.


after much wransling. has appointed
tho Coal Inquiry Board, headed by
members are former vice-President
Thomas II. Marshall. Clark Howell.
editor of the Atlanta Constitution:
Judge Samuel Alschuler of Chicago,
George otis Smith. director of the
United States Geological Survey: DIR.
Edward T. Devine of New York City.
and Charles u Ncill, manager OF the
Bureau OF Information. Southeastern
Railway. Each member viii receive
n salary Of 1900 and the life of the
commission is limited TO one year.
Under the terms Of the law the
commission Is to report on the ad-
visibility of strict governmental reg
ulation or government ownership of
the coal mining industry. The bill
Also requires the commissioners to
make complete investigation of labor
costs. production costs. transportation.
intcrmittency Of employment. prices,
ownership and titles of mines and all
other phases of the industry.
Further. they are to investigate the
possibility of s,andardizing the wage
OF the coal miner at rate that will
insure means OF decent living. educa-
tion Of children and provision for old
ass, and also the possibility OF stand
ardizing the amount OF work 70 be
done by a miner.
Tho commission is 10 make its re-
port on the bituminous or soft coal
industry not later than January, Is
ncxt. The report on the hard coal in
dustry must he made not later than
July ] next. IN is hoped that the re-
ports viii be available for use in max
ing new wage contracts and also for
the guidance Of public opinion and
public officials In any action that may
be necessary to protect tho public tn
terests.
While IL ia possible TO conceive OF
sOme good resulting from this in
ouiry, IL is not possible 10 see where
the slightest benei, will be conferred
upon the people OF the country at this
time. on the eve of winter and con.
fronted by insolent intimations o,
heavy increases in the retail price,
Of the coal they will be compelled ts
purchase. So far as the province o.
this commission is concerned. tn,
people will not enjoy the greatly de
sired blessing OF coal at fair prices.
This move by Congress was. in cf
feet. merely a subterfuge to eyade ,
plain. squarely presented duty-a,
opportunity 10 do something tha
might have been of enormous benefi
10 the people. Senator Frelinghuyse,
OF New Jersey. during the sessio,
OF the sixty-sixth Congress. offered
resolution which provided for an in
vestigaiion OF coal mining condition.
With a view 10 ascertaining the exac
cost of production and distribution
This move promised 10 lay before IN
public valuable information rs a ba.i
Tor estimating what would be a fai
charge for coal at retail. and woul
have left the mine operators in a pe
sition that might have made price
gougins very hazardous.
Blu, the coal lobby vigorously a,
sailed this movement which promise
% much good to the people Durin
she administration OF President Wi
son the lobby which almost entirel
represents special interests and rarel
serves the interests OF the people. ha
been driven from Washington. y,
Immediately upon the. assembling
the Republican Congress chosen at Il
election Of 1918. the doors Of II
Capitol We're thrown open and Il
lobby was welcomed back as a Ion,
lost friend. And the first work OF Il
coal lobby was to kill Senator FIR
linEhuysen's resolution by having
securely pigeonholed in committee.
The acute situation created by Il
long continued strike of the coal mi
crs stirred the partisan Republica
IN Congress TO the necessity Of doir
something 90 relieve the situation. al
they reluctantly consented to the pa