South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-11-20
Miners and Operators GiUe
VielU to Fact Finding Body

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Continued From Page One)
veniences TO the public which have
been caused by the cessation Of
mining during five months of the
present year. For 20 years prior TO
1922 the producers of anthracite
have dealt upon an established ba-
els with their employees and the or
ganlzations representing them
through the medium OF conference
and agreement.
Ascertain Labor Policies
I'VE suggest that the commission
should ascertain the labor policy Of
the operators and likewise ascertain
the labor policy of the United Mine
Workers. with respect TO the anthra>
cite industry, including their funda-
mental aims, the method pursued by
them, and the extent, if any to
which the policy OF either is detri-
mental TO the industry and there
fore TO the interest of the public"
In the matter Of coal prices. the
operators said that "one of the
many sources of misunderstanding
is the great difference between the
mine price and the consumers price.
the latter including expenses OF
transportation and charges Of mid
ole men and retailers. over whick.
operators have no control.
The commission. it suggested,
should investigate all these items,
anthracite mining. 1t was said brief
~ is not subject TO irregularicy
while the methods followed in it re-
suit in only negligible waste Of
coal.
The miners letter, signed by Ellis
Searles, Thomas Kennedy, and John
Moore. the unions official commit
tee. dealt sharply with the sugge5
ton that coal mines might be closed
by governmental action if their OPP
erations were decidedly unnecessary
and unecouomic. Normal compeu-
ton" they said, would bring low
cost mines to full operation and
close down expensive ones.
Tt would be Tarifestly uncOnsti-
tutional for this government to elm
mate any number of coal mines from
operation by any sort Of selective
sort of process the commission add
ed. therefore. we have no sugges-
tiCns 10 offer in regard TO the posi-
bility of closing down any number
of mines. unless this end can bC
brought ABOUT through encourage
mont of open competition. II ordel
/ that such competition might be en-
I coura ced, we suggest that every CT
I fort should be made TO improve
| transportation facilities.
Too Many Mines
Eve 10 believe. however, and We
I recommend 10 this commission, tina
some means be found to prevent th'
/ opening up of any new mines in the
I United States at least for a consider
able period Of time. There are too
mnay mines in this country now"
with the standardization OF cos
of living" and work output" sug
I eeetious Of the commission. tn,
union committee indicated disfavor
How this commission can hop,
/ to standardize the cost Of living
/ without at the same time STANDARD iz
/ ing the level Of living Of mine work
crs is beyond the comprehension o.
this committee" the letter said. II
seems TO us It would be impossible;
to standardiZe the cost Of living IN.
/ less each individual mine WORKER
was required to accept and adopt q
standard, identical level Of living fol
himself and his family. Any al,
tempt TO establish such a standard
would out-sOviet and system
either paternalistic or communistic
that we know of-)sA""
we do not believe II is pOssibl
10 standardize the amount Of work a
man can or should perform in the
production Of coal. Conditions varS
In every mine. Seams Of coal vary
In thickness. Some mines exper-
fence difficulty with water and gas
Methods in use one place would be
impossible in others. Each mine IS
peculiar TO itself as far as workine
conditions are concerned. '@Wha'
might be regarded as a standard OF
work in on place would be a fragrant
mlsfit in aonther"
Raise Living Wage Issue
AL WIS S1BbCoAeG - mo AliheA
comm ttee, however that the COM
mission. through women investiga-
tors determine actual expenditures
on living by miners and their fami-
lies. The effect OF organization upon
the operations in coa. IL was also
suggested. should be ascertained by
direct application 10 persons con
cerned. and 50 far as the union wa
concerned, the committee promised
complete access to any and an IN
go zion v,-bfrr might ha sought