Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-07-04
pro,cctiu. the Public Interest

DRESlDENT HARDING having brought
l the coal mine operators and officials
Of the miners union together in conference.
ii reasonably may be assumed that the two
groups Will reach an agreement by which the
present prot!acted strike will soon be called
on and the men resume their task OF min
ing coal before the pinch of fuel scarcity has
reached the acute stage. The frmness with
which the President asserted the public in
tercst would be protected By resort 10 the
full powers OF government 10 prevent pa
ralysis OF the nations economic life cannot
fail 10 impress both sides TO the controversy
with the necessity or reaching all under
standing through the manifestation Of a
mutual spirit OF Willingness to compromise.
As he pointed out to the conferences. this is
no time for extremeism or for the parties
Immediately involved 10 hold tenaciously 10
the technical contentious that have resulted
in the existing deadlock. The warning
which accompanied this statement OF what
is 10 be expected in the event OF failure Of
tho operators aud miners to meet their OBJ
legations 10 the public puts them on notice
that the government will indulge no trining
with this superior interest.
While the immediate objective set by the
President for the operators and miners was
the ending OF the present strike. his appeal
FOR settlement strikes deeper. He urges
not merely aE=settlement Of present differ
ences. but appeals for settlement OF the
coal problem as a whole. to the end that
a basis OF accord may he established by
which permanent peace in the industry will
be effected and the respective rights of the
public, the operators and the miners recog-
n!zed and permanently maintained He
points on; the lCng-stardinG ills to which the
Industry has been subject. the ren.edying OF
which rests with the operators aud miners
with the government, cooperating "a the
agent OF the people.
To the accomplishment OF this purpose
administration officials are already giving
serious consideration 10 the working on;
OF program which will put the industry
nDon more efticicn, basis in the direction
OF both mining and marketing The at
tontion OF the country is now conferred upon
coal, II IL pointed out. and the industry it
self is probably as prepared TO accept a
formula looking to permanent peace as il
VII! ever BE-. Congress. il is believed how
ever reluctant IL has been in the past to
grasp the realities OF a public obligation
in respect 10 other problems, has reached
a state OF mind in which il is willing TO
listen 10 proposals that promise TO remedy
some OF the manifest evils in the coal bust
ness Congress has no constructive pro-
gram OF its own. but upon the assumption OF
us willingness 10 consider suggestions from
the outside. ii is understood that admins
trat!on officials have evolved more or less
concrete plan OF action which, il eventual
~ approved by the President will be laid
before the House and Senate for considera-
ton In the near future. This plan under
taxes 20 go TO the heart OF the problem of
instability affecting the industry and 10
provide the adequate remedy therefor in
SO far "a intelligent legislation can con
tribute 10 It's solution