New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-08-16
A Step Forward

to be broken. According to the
Cleveland agreements, operators
from Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and
western Pennsylvania, comprising
the old central competitive field, and
operators from central Pennsyl-
vania, northern West Virginia and
Michigan, representing an annual
production of 6o,O00,0o0 tons, prac-
tieally accept Mr.. Lewis's terms.
These include renewal for year Of
the 1921-'22 wage scale and the
creation of a commission to find a
basis for. scale thereafter. The
output of these operators, added to
that of the West Virginia indie
pendents and exports from Great
Britain, will stop soft coal famine.
Rival operators in the union districts
may be expected to fall gradually
into line with the Cleveland arrange
ment..
The country would feel some graft
tude for any settlement, on the theory
that renewed production on any
terms is better than no production.
But if nothing were provided for
other than the question Of temporary
resumption there would be little to
rejoice over. What is the chief
source of approval is the provision in
the agreement looking toward an i'm
partial investigation and ultimate
remedial action.
The bituminous operators started
out to debate excessive costs in coal
production. The high price of coal
hold-over from war wages was
q burden on all other industry
and serious obstacle to general
economic reimbursement. The cost of
fuel was increased to everybody by
doubled freight rates on it. The
freight rates came down. But the
mine workers successfully resisted
wage defation.
Mr.. Lewis maintains his point that
wages shall not now be reduced. This
will doubtless give the operators an
excuse for fighting any price reduc-
tons to the consumer this winter
The cost burden will not be lightened
materially in 1922-'22. This is evi.
IDENTIFY what many promoters OF
the coal lay-off always had in view
Mr.. Lewis was determined to prevent
REIMBURSEMENT at the miners expense
The operators have been reluctant
to cut prices at their own expense
The coal industry is conducted un.
economically. It is overmanned
functions irregularly and at low
speed, and does not lay up reserves
against an emergency. It serves the
country poorly, and the continuance
D OF such service is a public peril
y Enormous loss and inconvenience re
suit from the malorganization Of
this key industry.
Such has been the condition of Goa
mining; SO it must remain for tn,
present season. For the future Thu
operators and miners offer an in
yestigation which must be viewed a.
step forward and suggests thai
both sides have at last seen a light
tpr the first time their old victim
the public that buys, is to be con.
suited upon the future course of The
Industry. If carried out in eooc
faith the decision is significant and
may well mark a new epoch in indus.
trial relations. There are many
loopholes. But the provisions fol-
the appointment of the COMMITTEES
and the requirements that botl
miners and operators shall aid il
every manner possible and share the
expense are sound and practical
and make possible an able and thor.
ough study of the whole field and q
genuinely constructive report. basec
thereon. Not only is coal to BIZ
mined, but truth is to be sought
The agreement offers a real promise
OF betternent in an industry that has
been a perpetual menace to the eco
nonic health of the nation.
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