South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-19
AUGUST I9. 1922
HARDLNC, HISTORIAN.

AA<AAtDA4fOs MOI OAIdN.
The president impressively tells Congress what
every business man and every worker has known
Cor weeks-that the situation created by transport
tation AMI coal strikes is more than serious.
Re tells Congress that except for such coal as s
produced in non-unon districts the country is at
the mercy Of the United Mine Workers"
He might have added the lowest OF non-union
Production Is FIVE millions Of tons Of soft coal a
week and that the country needs eight millions in
addition 10 all anthracite used
4 He reviews his efforts 10 secure settlement and
admits failure He did not follow with the fact
fhat the strike is partly settled and some mines
opened
he rehaarsed his efforts to settle the rail strike
calling attention the that the rail- executives
refused to abandon their tight against unionism
= hen he called upon them name Of the com
bon good that the workers refused later to
tender their demand when the same appeal was
hlade. Again a failure 70 get relief.
Then he promised that this should be nation of
law and that all powers Of the civil and criminal
statutes would be used to maintain transportation.
1ie asked for only weapon for present use. the
Formation of a national coal yard to buy and dis
tribute coal That is his curb on profteering by
retailers 1t Is the single check against the inevita
BE greed OF those who can get small supplies for
their customers At the very hour he was making
shis demand the federal coal dictator per
Putting the operators in one state to raise the price
az the mines
Beyond this there not plan or a suggestion
Chat would mine ton of coal single
galway train
That the powers and forces of law Will always
&c available to resist lawlessness is automatic in
government a president who failed to use those
lowers would ally himself with anarchy. There has
rever been a president and never will be a president
yho Will take this course. so The promise means
nothing all.
The one important fact he presented to Congress
was not emphasized and in it lies the cause of all
the trouble IN the coal mines.
AS long as it exists and long as there is the
present wastefuI management Of mines. as an in
dustry, strikes famines, industrial may be
expected.
being operated that 100000 or more miners are
employed than would be needed if they worked $50
days year
E That means that the country must pay the wages
sof these 100000 men for the time they are idle,
sinearlv half Of the year, as who have only
seasonal employment must be fed and their families
.faust be fed during the time of idIeness.
Other industries are taxed for this wastefulness in
che basic industry Of fuel Every home in the
burden amounting TO terrible total and producing
conditions of unrest that bred by enforced
dIeness
E Had the president suggested TO Congress that
tund ne raised purchase the mines instead of the
.product Of mines that it establish a monopoly of
production instead of a monopoly of distribution. he
would have risen from the ranks of historians to
s hat Of makers Of history. Some president or some
leader must tske this course if ,epettions of the
present strike are not TO be constant and regular
s. The message of the president leaves the situation
exactly where it has been for weeks
! 1t suggests no remedies that are lasting or
Immediately promising. It offers no solution for
situation ne describes as more than serious.
+ From IT. unless there be an amicablc agreement
on the part OF warning forces that seem bent on
lighting TO the finish the country may expect
lothiug except industrial war. grueuing campaign
OF endurance, with the public represented only by
soldiers whose bullets neither run trains nor mine
coal
Violence VIII be suppressed after it occurs. Riots
will be checked after they have taken their toll of
human flesh. L4lwlessness will be punished, after
L happens.
. And I'm the meantime the owners of factories who
fan to get cars 10 carry their PRODUCTS the farmers
who see crops rotting for lack of transportation
me worker who loses time because of crippled
facilities viii have plenty or time to thoroughly
diges, the Harding contribution TO contemporaneous
alstorv IL IS interesting. It's helpfuIness IS debat-
table. and the public mind VIII once again deplore
.he absence Of Rooseveltian character in the White
House.