The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-21
THE PRESIDENTS HARD TASK

THE PRESIDENTS HARD TASK.
The determination of President
Harding to bring about resumption
of coal mining in the United States
seems likely again to bring to the
front the old question of whether this
is a nation or an aggregation of states.
The union miners of Illinois have sRc-
ceeded in obtaining the enactment in
that state of laws which forbid the
employment in it's shaft mines of any
but union miners. To bring about
operation of the mines. therefore, 1t
will be necessary to override the state
statutes.
Indications now are rapidly appear
ing that the coal strike has reached.
or has closely approached the point
OF menace to the best interests of the
whole country. While the partial sus-
pension of the mines up to this time
has caused some embarrassment here
and there, this has not been of a seri-
GUS character. Furthermore the 60,-
900, 900 tons of stocks of coal which
were estimated to be on hand at the
beginning Of the strike exerted a COM
forting influence.
Three months of partial operation
of the country's mines with a, rising
line of industrial activity, however,
have changed the situation. Today
the country, from all reports, by con-
Stunning from 100000 to 1000, 900
tons a week more than it has been
producing, has cut down its stocks to
or below the safety point, adjudged
by the government to be around TO-
100000 tons. Each day forward of
reduced output consequently will ag-
grayate the situation.
Operators and miners appear to
have reached a stage OF stubborn an
tagonisrn,' says the Iron Trade Re
view, and the prospect of a voIun-
tary settlement OF the issues in dis
pute in the near future is highly re-
mote Both parties in their insietence
against concession or Cancellation, are
ignoring the public's rights and inter
ests. The moment is opportune and
urgent, therefore, for the vigorous in
PREVENTION by the government which
the president now is exercising.
Both the operators and the miners
have made tactical blunders in the
~OA0GN1 VI lAAo ClIAA0 WHICH nave
made the public unresponsive to their
claims. In fact no marked sympathy
is apparent for either SIDE. The oper-
ators by refusing at the beginning be-
cause of a technicality, to confer with
the miners to discuss a new contract,
placed themselves in a defensive posi-
ton Furthermore there is evidence
of lack of harmony and vision
among the operators as to what the
situation calls for from them in the
way of constructive initiative and
leadership.
THE country has pretty definite
conviction that the coal industry
needs reorganization to reduce the
evils of intermittency. overmanning,
etc. The union claims for excessive
wages, a national agreement, mainte-
nance OF the check-off system for or
ganization assessments. penalties, etc,
are opposed to present day economics
and fair mutual dealing. Added to
this, the Herrin massacre, for which
the union is responsible constructive |
ly in that this was committed in its
name and for its end, has outraged |
any public good will
So the present deadlock leads in
evitably to governmental intervention |
The sooner q truce can be effected |
and operations resumed the better for
all factions and interests. for the pres
ent brake on coal production is a |
serious menace to the reviving pros
perity of the country and IL prolonged |
many days will be paid for in great
suffering and loss that cannot be
at the moment. The settle
ment, however. should not stop at an |
adjustment of immediate points of |
dispute 1t must press deeper into |
the inherent defects, in the present |
conduct and organization of the coal
Industry. Only by so doing can a per-
manent peace in the industry be at
tanned and the public be insured
against continued abuse and injustice.
The more peremptory tone in which
he president now is addressing both
sfdes 20 the controversy is significant
IF the temper of the country.