New Britain herald., 1922-10-10
Investigation Also Indicates That Employees Strike Is Not Entirely Without Its Justification.

There are few indications of a seri- ous coal shortage this winter, accord ing to the observations of a Herald representative, who has just returned rom a two weeks tour of the an- thracite coal fields. The newspaper man found collieries and mines rushed to a maximum in most cases and in other instances necessary re- pairs were being made preparatory to making strenuous efforts toward "top notch production"
 Exceeding the Average.
 In many cases the shipments of coal per day far exceeds the average, one coliery having shipped in one day record of 34 cars, this being at least twice as many as that same col fiery ordinarily ships during normal times.
 Working on Sunday.
 Every where the mine workers are showing an enthusiastic determina- tion to get as much coal on cars as possible. In fact, in certain sections miners are said to be cutting coal on Sunday, something which never hap pened before.
 There are many unusual features about the strike which just closed, which were noted by the visiting newspaper man. It was the longest strike in the history of anthracite coal mining, having exceeded the his torical 1902 strike by four days. It was the first time since the organiza- nf nj of America by John NlitcAal prior to 1902 that public sympathy was not solidly behind the strike. And 1t is the first time in the history of Penn sylvanias anthracite district that re- strictions have been placed on the amount of coal sold to people resid- ing in the vicinity of the mines, while there existed a shortage in other sec tions of the country.
 Lack of Water Serious.
 Also it is the first time in the his tory of that section that the mines have faced the possibility of a second indefinite shut down immediately aft CT the close of a prolonged strike, due to lack of water, there having been less than two inches of rainfall in almost four months.
 All these things are true today. Public sympathy in the anthracite re- gions is beginning to turn away from strikes. The people have been fed up on strikes. True, their sympathies are with the miners. But big busi- ness men, bankers, etc, are beginning to demand that important issues be submitted to arbitration and produc- tion continue In fact, it was whis- pered (and the only way residents in that section dare to discuss some thing not entirely popular with the miners union, would be in whispers), that there was considered sympathy for the operators until it was learned they intended to boost the price of coal when public sentiment again took a change.
 Coal Boost Unpopular.
 The argument advanced by the operators that production costs have increased although wages have not changed, simply because it was neces- sary to pay engineers, pumpsmen firemen stable bosses. drivers, etc, during the strike, is met by the state ment from businessmen that the min CTS could have called these men out on. strike, thus completely shutting of all overhead costs. The result of | such drastic action would have meant | destruction and damage running into | millions of dollars. Mines would | have filled up with water, machinery would have been ruined, timbers would have washed out, bringing | down the surface and in many cases even houses on the surface would have sunk into the mines had this condition been permitted to go on un- checked.
 Argue To and Fro.
 The operators reply in turn that such action would have brought con- demnation down upon the heads of the miners, sentiment would have turned against them, their homes | would have been endangered and the government would have been forced | to step in and man the pumps. And | so the argument goes on, and in the meantime, the operators raise the | price per ton and the much abused | ultimate consumer pays the bill.
 "I think this region has seen the last strike it will ever see," said the cashier of a large upstate Pennsyl- l vania bank, in discussing the price issue.
 Miners Demands Reasonable
 That the miner is justified in his |