The labor world., 1922-11-25

tive to Its position on Standardlzi
Would Help Monopoly.
The commission presented the
question of the standardizing Of
mines upon the basis Of their eco
nomic productive capacity and re-
garding the closing down Of mines,
which by reason Of their natural
limitations" fall below the standard.
"Competition. would itself elm
mate the high cost mines, because
they would be unable to compete in
price Of their product with those
mines in which the cost Of produc-
ing coal is lower" assert the Off
cials of the mine workers. union.
1--WE believe this idea, properly
applied and fairly carried out"
continues the statement, would not
only reduce the number Of mines
and the number of miners in this
country, but it would, also give the
American public assurance Of cheap
er coal, because the coal would then
be produced by those mines whose
output is produced at low cost per
ton.
Effort of Competition.
I'm addition to keeping down the
price of coal to the consumer, be-
cause it comes from low cost mines,
such competition would close many
high cost mines and thus conserve
their resources for the future. We
believe conservation Of our coal re-
sources is one of the most important
propositions to which the American
people should give their attention.
There will come a time when coal
will be less plentiful than 1t Is now
and the population of the United
States will be much greater, thus
calling for a. heavier supply Of fuel.
Anything this commission can do to-
ward conservation of coal for future
generations should be done.
1T would manifestly be unconsti-
tutional for this government to at
tempt to eliminate any number or
coal mines from operation by any
sort of selective process. 1t could not
assume to say to any: mine owner,
You shall not be permitted to op-
crate your property and at the same
time permit some other owner. to
continue operation Of his mine. Nor
could the government legally or con-
stitutionally say to any miner, You
must quit mining coal and get an
other job,' and then allow anotner
miner to continue at mining coal.
Therefore, we have no Suggestions
to offer in regard to the possibility
of closing down any NUMBER OF
mines, unless this end can be
brought about through the means
of encouragement of open competl"
ton among coal producers.
Railroads Arc Blamed.
I'm order that such competition
might be encouraged and aided. we
suggest that every possible effort
should be made to improve transport
tation facilities and the most eftl-
cient utilization Of the transporta-
ton systems of the country. "A way
should be found to enable the rail-
roads to equip themselves with
sufficient number of coal cars ana
locomotives with which to move the
coal from mine to consumer. This
commission will, in our opinion, &C
complish great good If it can flnd
a basis upon which to predicate a
recommendation of method py
which this feature Of the nations
transportation problem can be solved
with equitable freight rates.
1--WE do believe, however, and we
recommend to this commission, that
some means or method should be
found to prevent the opening up of
any new mines in the United States,
at least for a.; considerable period
Of time. There are too many mines
in this country now. If the mines
now in operation or that are ready
for operation were run to their cas
paciyt they would produce at least
40 per cent more coal than Is re-
quired to Aleet all requirements OF
domestic and export trade.
Too Many Mines.
"There is no need for any more
new mines. Because a set Of men
own a railroad is no good reason