Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-18

duct Of coal inquiry imperative.
Strengthening Of Esch- Cummins
railroad act recommended.
have an unalterable conviction that no
lasting satisfaction or worth while re :
suits Will ensue unless we may have
a Government commission independent
OF the industry. clothed with authority
by the Congress to search deeply. so
that 1t may advise as to fair wages
md as to conditions Of labor and rec. Z.
ommend the enactment Of laws to pro.
tect the public in the future.
The almost total exhaustion of
stocks of ccal. the, crippled condition
OF the railways, the distressed situa-
tion that has arisen and might grow
worse in our great cities due to the
shortage of anthracite, the suffering
which might arise in the Northwest
through failure to meet winter needs BY
lake transportation, all these added to
the possibility Of outrageous price de-
mands, In spite Of the most Jealous
voluntary efforts of the Government to
restrain them. make 1t necessary to ask
you to consider at once some form of
temporary control Of distribution and
prices.
Tried to Stop Pronteering
'"The Administration earnestly has
sought to restrain protteering and to
secure the rightful distribution Of such
coal as hns been available in this emer- =
gency. There were 10 legal powers for
price control. There has been cordial
cooperation In many tields-a fine rev.
elation of business conscience stronger
lfn In 20 k,,p "a m
pies misfortune. There have been in :
stances of Hat refusal. rejoice to
make grateful acknowledgment to those
who preferred to contribute to national
welfare rather than profit by ma
tons distress.
Recommends Coal Agency
'If 1t may have your approval, I
recommend immediate provision for n
temporary national coal agency. with
needed capital to purchase, sell and
distribute coal which il carried in inter-
s;ate shipment. do not mean that
all interstate coal shall be handled by
such n Federal organization perhaps
none will be necessary; but it will re-
store its capital to the public treasury
and will be the instrumentality Of
guarding the public interest where pri-
Nhle lOlIStltlCt Is ~ IL DuD-
lie need.
This proposal does not relate to any
possible employment in intrastate ship
men 8. Price restraint and equitable
distribution in intrastate shipments Is
a responsibility of the States own
government. In such voluntary activ-
tiles as have been carried on thus far
the Federal Government has endeavored
to rc-establish the authority and re-
spOnsibility in the s atcs which were
undermined in the necessary centraliza-
ton Of authority during the World
War.
Stands BY Labor POard
'"The public menace in the coal situ-
alton was made more acute and more
serious at the beginning of July by the
strike Of the federated shop crafts in
the railroad servicc-u strike against Il
wage decision made by the Railroad
Labor Board, directly affecting ap-
proximate'y 100000 men. The justice
of the decision is not for discussion here.
'Thc decision has been lost sight of
in subsequent developments. In any
event. II was always possible to appeal
for rchearing and the submission of new
evidence, and 1t is always safe as
sumption that n Government agency of
adjustment deciding unjustly will be
quick to make right any wrong.
'Thc Railroad Labor Board was
created by Congress for the express,
purpose of hearing and deciding disputes
between the carriers and their en-
plOyes, so that no controversy need lead
to an interruption in inter State trans
pOrtation.
Wage Disputes Inevitable
"It was inevitable that many wage
disputes should arise. Wages had
mounted upward. necessarily and Just
ly, during the war uphcaval. likewise
the cost Of transportation. so that the
higher wages might be paid. 1t was
inevitable that some rcadjustments
should follow. Naturally these rcadjust-
ments were resisted. The administrative
government neither advocated nor op-
posed. 1t only held that the Labor Board
was the lawful agency of the I;ovcrn-
ment to hear and decide disputes, and
its authority must be sustained, as the
law contemplates. This must be so,
whether the carriers or the employees
ignore It's decisions
'Unhappily a number of decisions Of
this board had been ignored by the car
riers. In only one instance, however.
had decision. challenged by n carrier.
been brought to the attention of the De-
partment of Justice. and this decision
was promptly carried to the courts and
has recently been sustained In the Fed
cral Court of Appeals. The public or
the Executive has no knowledge of the
ignored decisions in other cases. be-
cause they did not hinder transporta.
ton.
when these failures of many of the
carriers to abide by decisions of the
board were brought to my attention,
could more fairly appralse the feelings
of the strikers, though they had rem
edy without seeking to paralyze inter-
state commerce.
Labor Board Law Inadequate
"The law creating the Railroad La.
Dor Board Is inadequate. Contrary TO
popular impression, It has little or no
power to enforce its decisions. 1t can
impose no penalties on either party dis
regarding its decisions. 1t cannot halt
n strike and maiifcstly Congress de-
llberately omitted the enactment of
compulsory arbitration. The decisions
of the board must be made enforceable
and effective against carriers and en-
ployes alike. But the law Is new, and
no perfection of 1t by Congress at this
moment could be helpful in the present
threatened paralysis of transportation.
Tentative Proposal Made
"Happily it is always lawful and
ofttimcs, possible to settle disputes out
side Of court, so, in n desire to serve
public welfare, ! ventured upon an
attempt at mediation. Those who Ind
preceded me in attempted settlements