Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-07-12
DIG DOWN. GENTLEMEN

start the digging for facts. 1t Is alb
surd 20 suppose that wages Of miners
make all the the difference between
the present prices of coal and the
old prices. What docs make the diff
ference?
When the President called the OPP
orators and miners into conference
they came. but the former did not
ovlnco alacrity and the miners show
sluubornnoss
As matter OF fact there Is evil
dcnCe 20 show that the contestants
have between them very decided
difference OF opinion and they want
70 light 20 a show down. On the
part Of the operators there are indi-
cations that they have concluded that
this Ia the opportune time for licking
the union. for getting regional ar
fragments and all that. II their
own skirts were clean there might
be some sympathy with them. They
have been forced 20 put up with
much annoyance from the arrogance
OF labor. But labor hasn't been the
only arrogant party 10 the controver-
w. especially In the anthracite min
ing. The public has had to put up
with n lot from both parties and has
had 70 pay the bills.
People now wish to know what
they have been paying for and now
IA tho time 90 find out and the Gov
eminent ~ It will insist on digging
10 the bottom. may find out.
A good many OF us don't like this
idea ~ calling In the Government to
blow our noses and wipe away our
tears. but supply OF coal is an es-
sontiai, ~ II cannot be had there
Won't he need of any Government.
on tho horizon 70 which we may ap-
peal for help. 80 we look to the Gov
crnmont In such a condition Of af-
falrs. Il plainly becomes Its business
20 acqualnt the public concerning the
cxact conditions. not the say-so OF the
Interested parties but what the rec
orda show respecting the costs OF
mining. tho leases. tho investments.
The 30 hciweens. tho whole story
from \ 20 u. and tho Government
lHs the machinery 20 get that data,
got It properly and present it. The
public has suffered enough to entitie
No a. have tho material out Of which
" may be able 20 arrive az fair
conclusion respecting matter which
anacts ~ NE and the pursuit OF its
happiness
~ that way and In that way alone
may be found a basis for any future
Establishments. for that understand
lrg which ub,latcs friction and which
oil parties concerned may be able
io respect ana contribute 10 all the
rights involved.
The fact that the operators object
90 THIS that they would keep their
books from investigation. IL n pretty
Rnod indication that they have some
thing 20 conceal. that they are afraid
~ publicity. In this way they may
delay investigation. but that should
be made whatever II may cost and
made thoroughly and Ivy those in
whom trust may Implicitly be placed.
Meanwhile what OF getting coal?
Tho Presidents plan evidently IL
based on tho method adopted In the
case ~ tho railroads. commission
comparable with the railroad board.
The latter has not yet fully justified
iis existence hut IL Is accomplishing
something. II IL n cumbersome, cir
cutous and prolonged method OF ar
rvlnE o. settlement. but It is better
than nothing. NJ, while. says the
President. arbitrate. II the operat-
ors ana miners refuse 10 do that
then u H. w 10 the President TO fol.
low his hand. take over and operate
tie mines and the facilities for dis
tribution. This is not a pleasant al
tentative. Al best II Is extremely
expensive and OF an arbitrary ma
ture and ~ only a makeshift to pro-
vide thu fuel without which people
may not exist. II no way brings
q solution ard should IL prove q first
step TO Government ownership OF the
coal production would be deplorable.
Hut the fuel must be had II possible.
Meanwhile. the public may as we'll
make un i,s mind TO pay high prices
for such coal NJ u gets. Even " the
miners dig down so must,the public