The Cordova daily times., 1922-02-17
THE COAL DISPUTE

Apparently the preliminary efforts at med iation between the coal operators and miners have not produced encouraging results, and events are drifting toward general coal strike. Secretary of Commerce Hoover sounds an alarm with the statement that "the stage appears to be set for a strike in the bitumncus coal fields about the last of March, There yet is time for the employers and employees to get together for an amicable settlement, but it must be conceded that the prospect is not bright at this moment. In the meantime the anthracite miners demand 20 per cent increase in wages.
 Operators in the central competitive (bitum- inous) field have shown no disposition to meet with officials of the miners union for con- ferences. They declare they are not eager to make wage scale for two reasons: First that the existing rate of pay must be material ly reduced, and second that they have sui fered such severe competition from the non union fields that they are placed at a great by entering into contract with the union.
 Officers of the United Mine Workers say they will not consider a reduction of pay, but on the contrary, will press for an increase Furthermore, they will not permit any of their members to work in nonunion or open mines Hence the situation seems to be deadiockcd at the very start. Meantime, the public is clam bring for lower cost of fuel, shippers are de- handing reduced railroad rates on coal and miners alleged that by slack work they are not earning a living wage even at the present rates of pay.
 There are some 55O,O00 union miners in the United States, and if they all go out on strike they will sacrifice in earnings-estimating the average wage at the modest figure of $5 day d total of $2, 0OO each day that the strike lasts. It is estimated that the cost of trans porting a ton of coal from the mine to the con sumer is $274 on the average, so that, figur- ing production at 7,O00,000 tons a week, the strike would mean loss in revenue to the rail roads of about $3250,000 day. The sum add ed to- the loss in wages makes a total sacrifice of $6,OO0,0OO day to the miners and the car rlers. What the loss of the operators and of the industries of the country would amount to con only be guessed, but it would be very great. ..
 These figures are not quoted as an argument that either the miners or the operators should yield Ill the controversy over wages, but merely to give a general idea of the waste which will be involved in nation wide coal strike and to show how the interests not only of the disput ants but of the general public would best be served by reaching an amicable adjustment The Times believes there ought to be compromise ground upon which the operators and miners could reach an agreement, and the accuracy of that statement becomes more apparent as the controversy is studied The Federal govern ment is exerting it's influence in the interest of industrial peace, and the parties to the dis pute should cooperate willingly. If they fail to do so, it may be necessary to impress upon them emphatically that the public has an in- terest in the subject which is paramount to any private or class interest