The labor world., 1922-08-05

but how much coal is being NOV,
Unable to Move Coal.
In several Of the mines, especially
in the Henderson and Montour dis
tricts, some coal has been cut under
ground by strikebreakers who have
been imported into the region from
Ohio. Due to the absence of skilled
labor, however, they have been un-
able to move this cut coal to the
scores of empty coal cars now wait
ing on the sidings.
The full mine guard system Is
being set up by the operators. About
$50 men, all fully armed, are sta
toned at the various mines and
more will be imported in the future.
Several car loads of strikebreak~
ers also have been brought IN. 1t
has been quoted that one of these
car loads were negroes.
The ranks of the striking miners
are intact. Even the coal operators
do not claim that any Of the men
have attempted to so back to work.
The situation is quiet, only nor
NAL incidents being attendant on the
occupation of the region by 100
state militiamen, a mine guard force
and a force Of nearly 100 state troop
ers.
Plans Are Secret.
The operators are extremely quiet
regarding their plans for the future,
though they secretly admit that the
problem of producing coal with un-
skilled labor seems too big for them
just now. They have every excuse in
the world to begin the production of
coal behind the guns Of their mill
tary force of occupation, but i'm
partial observers believe that there
is little likelihood of any consider
able amount of coal being exported
from this region in the near future.
~ The railroad service also has been
a factor in frustrating the efforts of
the operators Even passenger trains.
in the southwest Pennsylvania ter
ritory are running far behind sched-
ule and little freight is being moved.
From some surface mines, motor
transports are conveying some coal
to the immediate region.
Peace Rcigns.
The state militiamen, who were
sent into the region Saturday, July
%, are confronted by peace in the
region and are merely enjoying a
summer training camp. Officials of
the organization, including Col. E.
G. stackpole, commanding officer,
express entire satisfaction with the
situation in the region and believe
their presence will have no mate
rial effect on the conduct of any of
the citizens.
Operators of the region also are
known to have been secretly opposed
to any attempt Of the federal gov
ernment to step in and take over the
field and the opinion is expressed
by most observers here that there is
little likelihood of such action in the
near future.
The grand gestures of President
Harding and others about the pow
z er Of the administration and the full
limitations Of those who expect to
bring coal out of the earth by edicts
( sound flat and foolish to operators
! ana coal miners alike who are con-
versant with the state laws regulat-
ing the industry.
Laws Against 1t.
Unskilled labor can not be brought
into the coal mining states to op-
crate the mines without violation of
state laws providing for the pro-
lection of the health and safety of
the miners.
Skilled miners are not strikebreak-
ers, but if so-called skilled men
were brought into Pennsylvania,
Illinois, or other states with sim
ilarly high standards Of industry
they could not legally work without
certificates. These certificates are
issued by state miners examining
boards composed of practical min.
ers. Two years experience as a min.
" er's helper and a satisfactory under
standing of English and the respon.
sibilities of citizenship are part OF
the requirements.
Practically all states in which coaI