Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-23
has brought to the people OF the hostess
city. Richmond will feel entitled 20 the thrill
OF splendid accom- plishment
When VIII the Strike End?

"nch VIII tie Strike
| L NlDENCES OF public impatience over
IL the inactivity of the government in
dealing with tho coal strike accumulate. and
this Impotence must become acute now that
mob brutality has broken forth. as witness
the brutal slaughter In Illinois. a
group of church organizations has just me-
nOralized the President to wait no longer.
hat to intervene before the country reaches
fuel famine stage The rapid transit syS
tenn of New York has broken down and
hundreds OF thousands OF passengers have
been seriously Inconvenience through lack
Of coal Some of the railroads have cur
tailed their passenger service and num-
Der of steel mills have reduced their oper-
ations because of a shortage of coal and
coke
The strike of bituminous and anthracite
coal miners has been in progress for more
than ten weeks. No sign OF surrender on
the part OF either sid. has been observed.
The miners who walked out apparently are
not suffering for any -. The necessities of
life and the operators appear 10 be losing
only their currcn, profits. The unions show
no eagerness to resume and the employers
seem quite satisfied TO have matters stand
as they are indefinitely
Neither side has taken the public interest
into consideration. Neither seems remotely
concerned over the possibility of an acute
shortage in coal, with the hardships that
are certain to follow such a shortage In
fact. the parties TO the strike are rather
hopeful that the consumer will feel the
blnch, expecting thereby to find public sup
port and justification for the tie-up OF this
vital industry. The operators seem to de-
sire this in order that their sacrifices in be-
half of cheaper coal for the country may
b. better appreciated The miners desire
l. in order that the public will join in
forcing the operators to meet the demands
OF the men
Meanwhile. the Federal government does
nothing 10 bring the strike to an end The
President from time TO time observes for
publication tina, he is keeping finger on
the pulse OF the situation and will be pre-
pared TO act just as Soou as there is ia
vorable opportunity Why should the gov
eminent wait for opportunity? Why
should it not make an opportunity? 1t does
not have to wait TO be invited to intervene
in an industrial war that may drag on until
the available coal supply is exhausted and
suffering follows. Ii is the right of the
government and its duty as well TO act
whenever national emergency exists.
whether or not its action is welcomed by
those responsible for that emergency.
Il seems the part of folly to defer action
in the strike situation until the miners and
'h'T !aHllieS are reduced 10 actual want,
until the operators have suffered enormous
losses and the country is overtakcn by a
coal shortage paralyzing TO many industries
and depressing all business OF whatever
character.
1t is difficult 10 understand the timidity
which prevents the administration from act
ing and acting decisively. Il is idle TO con-
tend, as an excuse for inaction. that the
parties 10 the strike would reject govern
ment interference. They would DO nothing
OF the sort, If they were dealt with firmly
and determnedly. They would not dare defy
the government No private interest is i'm
portan, or bold enough 90 resist successfully
the power OF national administration