New-York tribune., 1922-07-02

ficer of the conferences and william
Green. secretary-treasurer of. the
United Mine Workers, was chosen
secretary
President Harding in addressing the
conference, said:
Solution Duo Public
"Gentlemen of the coal industry:
II asked you to meet me here this
morning with the thought that in
bringing you together / might be
serving both the mine workers and
the mine operators of the United
Stetes, and at the same time serve
the great American public, to which
both you and | are obligated. I
hold no specific authority under
which to admonish you, but do have
the right to invite your immediate
attention to situation which deeply
concerns the country, the solution
of which you collectively owe to the
American people.
"You who are here to-day repre-
sent large sponsorship for Amer
ica's supply Of fuel. In that spon-
sorship you have an indissoluble
relationship to the commonwealth
of America. Coal is indispensable to
our life as people, and since this
country has afforded you the oppor-
tunity of development on your part,
both as workers and operators, you
have created, in turn. an obligation
to serve. Conflicting views as to your
policies and your obligations to one
another in no wise modify your obli-
cations to that public which made
possible your industrial existence.
Because Of expiring agreements
relating to wage scales and working
conditions a large percentage Of the
mining activities of the country ha.
been suspended three months to a
day. 1t is not for me to touch upon
the merits Of your opposing posi-
tions. have not called upon you as
employer. I do not mean even to
ed questions. The main point is to
bring you together, and in that con-
tact of men to men, mindful of the
necessity Of righteousness in any
useful and abiding relationship, to
have you frankly and fairly consider
your problems in their relation to
the welfare Of our common country.
Hinges on Excess Production
at is pretty generally recognized
that there are fundamental Difficult
ties in present-day coal production,
the solution Of which is not to be
found in an hour or a day of most
friendly and earnest conference. The
excess development of a producing
capacity, in both tonnage available
and miners to work it, has presented
one situation demanding solution, or
there will be inevitable loss of prop
erty interests and q train of un-
profitable employment. The war up
heaval and all attending inflations
and excess productions have left an
inevitable and unavoidable liquida
tion. The intermittence in employ
ment has made it impossible for mine
workers who are only employed par
tial time to pursue their trade at
wage rates adjusted to other employ
ments. No industry is soundly
based, no American activity can be
held secure, where employment is
compensated on a base of half time
or two thirds of the normal, natural
work period of an American wage
Garner.
"There has been instability of pro-
duction, attended by a failure of de-
livery capacity, which had reflex in
speculative prices ard panicky con-
ditions, which encouraged profiteer-
ing, and menaced our industries and
hampered our varied public serv-
ices
Labor has the right, capital has
the right and, above all else, the
Ame rican public has the right to be
freed from these recurring anXieties,
no matter what the causes are. That
freedom must be established.
"Thc government has no desire to
intrude itself into the field Of your
activities. 1t does feel an obligation
to see that the common American in
terests shall not be menaced by a
protracted lack of fuel. 1t prefers
that the two great and associated in
terests-mine workers and employ
ers-should settle this matter in
frank recognition of the mutually Of
that, then the larger public interest
must be asserted in the name of the
people, where the common good is
the first and highest concern.
~ have said that the fundamental
problems probably cannot be solved
in a hurried conference. But this
conference might we'll devise the
agency for effecting a solution.
This is the purpose of calling you
together. the beginning of solution.
Meanwhile operations ought to be re-
sumed. With diminishing fuel sup
plies, with menacing shortages as we
turn to winters approach, with un-
employment visiting it's hardship
upon idle mine workers and with
vast ownership without return on in
vestment, it would seem to be the
simplest common sense to find ac-
ceptable ground on which to resume
activities, with commitment to ac-
cept the righteous adjustments which
may we'll be expedited in common
consent.
'This is no time for the militant
note of the radicals who would pre-
fer to destroy our social system; no
time for the extremist who thinks
the period opportune to break down
organized labor. The government
has no ear for either of them, but
would gladly lend it's cooperation in
curbing the extremes of both. More,
the government gladly tenders you
eous solution. 1t has no desire to
makeshift. For the good of all the
people the government Graves a way
to permanent stability, tranquility
and ample periods of employment at
just wages, righteous freedom for
workers and righteous freedom for
management, and a secure freedom
for recurring menaces of suspended
activities. 1t is not question as to
what influences dominate, who wins,
who yields most in settlement.