The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-31
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
Information Bureau
EREDERIo =. HAsKB. Director.
washington. d. @.
STATUS OF THE COAL STRIKE.

STATUS OF THE COAL STRIKE.
Washington, D. c.. May 2s.-The
coal strike is now entering upon its
eighth week and at the time this is
written it has caused as yet barely a
ripple upon the surface of general af-
fairs. Everybody was more or less ex-
cited when the strike was called and
it was expected that something would
happen shortly after the miners
ceased work on April i To date.
however, that indefinite something
is still in allegiance
There are three reasons for this ex-
traordinaFy situation following a
nationwide tie-up of one of the great
basic Industries. In the first place,
the strike came at 4 season of the year
when normally the demand for coal is
at its lowest ebb and at a time when
the industrial demand was below
normal. Secondly. there were large
reserve supplies of coal above ground
when the strike was called, and, the
nonunion production added to these
reserves has been sufficient TO pre-
vent a fuel shortage as yet. Finally,
the miners have SO conducted the
strike that there has been compare
lively little disorder and few clashes
have occurred between them and their
sympathizers and the duly constituted
authorities.
Far different conditions prevailed
at the time of the 1919 strike Then
winter was at hand, the demand for
coal was above normal. there was no
reserve stock on hand, and neither
miners nor operators were in such
state of mind that they could or would
avoid clashes that threatened law and
order. Prices of coal to the consumer
began imm ediately to advance, and in
no time at all the public and the fed
eraI powers were aroused to a point
where government Intervention was
inevitable
When the present strike was called
it was announced that the government
would not interfere until it was evil
dent that the public was being pinched
by a fuel shortage or some. other un-
toward developments had taken place.
Obviously that time has not yet ar
rived and there are no indications of
its arrival in the immediate future.
Indeed, it may be said that the con-
ditions attending the strike thus far
have been such as to make it a waste
of time to attempt to bring about al
settlement of the controversy. Neither
the miners nor the operators have suf-
fered sufficiently to feel that the strike
must be ended, even at the Cost of
concessions by one side or the other,
and nothing has occurred to arouse the
general public to a degree that would
make government intervention ad-
visable-
Public Opinion Important.
Public opinion is an extremely i'm
portant factor in a case of this kind.
In the absence of specific laws under
which the administration might pro-
coed to end the strike action can be
taken only when it appears that the
general welfare is jeOpardiZed and
when there is an overwhelming public
sentiment to support whatever action
may be taken. There is no federal law
prohibiting strikes or lockouts, none
under which the miners and operators
can be compelled to arbitrate their
and none requiring the ac-
of terms of settlement pro-
posed by the government or any out
side agency. The state of Kansas has a |
law aimed to accomplish these ends. |
but it has not been demonstrated a |
complete success as a state measure |
and of course it offers no solution for !
the national problem
1t is a peculiar situation. Sooner |
or later a strike of this proportion |
must work hardship or possibly disas- |
ter to somebody. The strikers and |
their families will be reduced to SUI |
investors in mine properties will suffer
financial losses that may prove serious. |
Other industries will be handicapped |
or crippled by a fuel shortage, and !
eventually the general public will have
to pay more for its coal and find 1t I
or impossible to obtain the
needed supply. Still nothing can be |
done to avert these unpleasant results /
of a labor controversy. 1t TRust be-
come sufficiently serious for everybody |
concerned to be actively Interested in |
having it ended before action can be !
taken to bring that about. In this
case there can be no such thing as /
locking the barn before the horse Is .
stolen, or, to change the figure, the /
fire must be permitted to get under
such Roadway as to be actually de- |
structive before the fire department |
can be called on and put to work
By the time this essential public
sentiment has been aroused all ques-
tons as to the merit or justice of the
stand taken by the miners or their en-
ployeTs will have been lost sight of.
The public will not care which side
is right on the numerous issues in
dispute. All it will be interested in
will be in getting a normal supply Of
coal under approximately normal con-
ditions and prices The inevitable re-
suit of this, according to economists
and industrial experts, will be settle
nent that is in the main a compromise,
that will be acceptable to neither side.
and that will leave the real problem
Of the coal industry as far as ever
Railroad Case Handled Differently.
When a great railroad strike was
threatened, last fall, and actually
called for October 81, 1t was not nee
essary to dilly-dally along until the
had actually occurred, or un-
til somebody was hurt. Thanks to
the labor provisions of the transporta-
ton act it was possible to handle that
Ease differently. The railroad labor
board thru Ben W. Hooper. then vice.
chairman and now chairman of that
body, took hold of that situation and
succeeded IN bringing about the recall
Of the strike order. There was no
of traffic on the railroads
Of the country. and at no time was it
suggested that the pubic should sit
back and watch railway employees and
railway management fight q few
rounds
AS a matter of fact the strike could
lot have been prevented if the work
rs Lal he. a. I'm. -. .l.....