New-York tribune., 1922-08-19

anu outstanding disinterested and
apie representatives of the American
puDnc. Ihe commission was to be
instructed to direct Its fsrst inquiry
to the rate of wage to be paid For,
the period ending next April / and
tnen 20 enter upon fact-finding in
curry into every phase Of the in
dustry and point the way to avoid
future suspensions in production.
The disputants all indorsed the sug-
gestion of fact finding commits
sion. The anthracite operators
promptly accepted the entire pro-
posal. The mine workers refused to
resume work under the arbitration
plan. The majority of the bitumi-
nous operators filed an acceptance.
but considerable minority declined
the proposal.
Under these circumstances, having
no authority TO demand compliance,
the government had no other course
than TO invite o resumption Of pro-
duction under the rights of all par
ties to the controversy, with assur-
ance of government protection of
each and every one in his lawful
pursuits. This fact was communi-
Gated to the Governors of all coal
producing states, and with two ex-
ceptions assurances of maintained
law and order were promptly given.
In some instances concrete proof Of
cffective readiness TO protect all men,
strikers and non-striking workmen
alike. was promptly given. But lit
tie or no new production followed,
The simple but significant truth was
revealed that, except for such coal
as comes from the districts worked
by non-organized miners, the coun-
try Is at the mercy Of the United
Mine Workers.
Governors In various states re-
ported that their operators and
miners had no dispute and were
eager to resume production. District
leaders informed me that their
workrnen were anxious to return to
their jobs, but that they were not
permitted to do SO. Hundreds of
wives of workmen have addressed
the White House, beseeching set
tlement, alleging that they knew no
grievance, and there is an unending
story of appeals for relief where
necessity or suffering was impel-
ling, where mere expression of
need ought 60 find ready compliance.
Government Neutral
On Wages and Contracts
At every stage the government
has been just neutral regarding
wage scales and working contracts.
There are fundamental evils in our
present system Of producing and
distribution which make the wage
problem difficult.
In the bituminous coal fields are
vastly more mines than are requisite
to the country's needs, and there
arc 100000 more mine workers than
A. - 3v,
employment the country's normal
requirements. BY continuous en-
ployment mean approximately 280
working days in the year. In many in
stances last year men were employed
less than $50 days, in some cases
much fewer than that. In the over
manned sections men divide the
working time, and high wages are
necessary to meet the cost Of the
barest living. Interrupted transpor-
tation, sorely broken employment,
the failure to develop storage
against enlarged demends and in
adequate carrying-all these present
problems bear on righteous wage
adjustment and demand construc-
tive solution.
Because of these things, because
of the impressions of many cases
of unjustihable profits in the indus
try, and because public interest de-
mands investigation and demands
the finding of facts be given to the
public, T am asking at your hands
the authority to create commits
sion to make searching investiga-
tion into the whole coal industry,
with provision for It's lawful activ-
tiles and the bestowal Of authority
60 reveal every phase Of coal pro-
duction, sale and distribution. am
speaking now on behalf of mine
workers, mine operators and the
American public. It will bring pro-
lection TO all and point the way to
continuity Of production and the
better economic functioning Of the
industry in the future.
The necessity for such searching
national investigation with construc-
tive Recommendation is imperative.
At the moment the coal skies are
clearing, but unless we find cure
for the economic ills which affect the
industry and therein find basis for
righteous relationship we shall be
faced with like menacing situation
on next April / on the expiration of
the wage contracts which are now
being made.
The need for such investigation
and independent consideration is re-
vealed by both operators and mine
workers in the provision in the
Cleveland agreement SO recently
made. The government will gladly
cooperate with the industry in this
program so far as it Is for the public
interest so to do, but have an un-
aiterable conviction that no lasting
satisfaction or worthwhile results
will ensue unless we may have a
government commission, independent
of the industry, clothed with author
aty by the Congress to search deeply,
so that 1t may advise as to fair wages
and as to conditions of labor and
recommend the enactment of laws to
protect the public in the future.
Temporary Price
Control Necessary
The almost total exhaustion Of
stocks of coal, the crippled condi-
tion OF the railways, the distressed
situation 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 demands in spite
of the most jealous voluntary efforts
of the government to restrain them,
make it necessary to ask you to con-
slider at once some form of tempo
rary control of distribution and
yrfras