Evening star., 1922-09-12
Anthracite Industry Needs 1nyes-
tigation and Reforms.

The compromise agreement reached
in the anthracite industry does not
meet with any general approval from
| the newspapers in sections which are
directly affected by it. Generally the
opinion is expressed that unless
real investigation is instituted by
Congress, and the entire coal industry
| regulated. the crisis simply has been
postponed and will return a year
from now. In general. most Of the
editors advocate governmental action
which will stabilize an industry now
admittedly conducted on a haphaSard
plan"
The Scranton Times characterizes
the outcome as a great victory" for
the miners. who retain everything
they held when the waikout took
place and have prevented instaila-
tion Of compulsory arbitration. 1t
insists that there is absolutely no
reason why coal prices should be ad-
vanced one cent over prices asked
last spring" The Times also calls at
tention to the fact that during the
suspension there has not been doll
lars damage done mining property.
Heading its comment with the cap
ton, The strike that wasn't-e-icept
that IL was" the Newark News re-
calls that the anthracite suspension
was to bolster union plans in the soft
coal fields and that the unions got
probably all they hoped 10 exact
The Springfield Union. however. be-
leves that as a result of the shortage
from the strike unless there is force.
ful and effective action by federal
and state governments advantage
r ~
ceeter Telegram finds. represents
~, ,00o, 900 tons. for which the con-
sumer will have to pay. The people
the people blessed with coal ad-
ministrator who goes out and gets
coal"
The public will get little comfort
out of this conclusion OF the strike.
the Burlington Free Press asserts. be-
cause ain the light of experience most
bins will be filled next summer and
in the meantime it will be we'll to
continue plans for the use or SUD
stitutes for hard coal in Vermont. Tor
sary, but it will also help to keep
down the price of anthracite Tor those
who must have it at any cost" The
operators throughout have been actu-
ated by selfish motives. the Boston
Traveller insists, and IN settilns on
public has been made the victim Of
hold-up" The immediate result. how
ever, in the view Of the LynchburE
News is that "the strikers nave not
only beaten the operators. but they
have also doubtless convinced them
selves that they can repeat their vic
tory at their pleasure: that they are
now the dominating factor In the an
thracite industry. and that. py
strike, they can compel the operators
,1ne
organization and. therefore. increase
the coal bill of the American public
whenever to them it seems proper 70
demand more pay. In the meantime
the public holds the bag
The Baltimore Sun is convinced that
there has already been created
strong sentiment in support OF sen
ator Borah's proposals for an inFesu-
CATION into the coal industry. The
public Is not sure that the fueis OF
tributed as inteliieently and as cheap
Is as they should be-fn fact. It is7
sure that. broadly speaking. they are
not" while the Springfield Rspuoiicah
wants to know why all OF the neso-
Sx slS':snn Senator. tor Pepper and Reed were
"kept secret because 1t was reared
that publicity would endangef sue
cess. Now 1t can be told. let US nop,.
There has been altoFether 100 mucn
nrices are boosted the danger Of fac
tories being compelled to suspend op-
eSations anyhow will be acute. the
Brooklyn Eagle says. in suggesting
that I'VE must all hope for the pest
and prepare for the worst. That -
the only safe rule In such economic
crises. That hope will grow and that
fears will diminish as soon as the
picks OF the anthracite men are al
work Is q reasonable prediction.
The New York Tribune argues that
at is a harsh peace. dictated with
conqueror's arrogance NO easier
terms could be expected from Mr.
tory over the soft coal operators. The
settlement rubs in on the public the
renalties Of the soft coal surrender at
Cleveland. Coal 10 q basic commod-
ity. The chronic sickness OF the In
dustry must be cured in the general
interest. Now 10 the time to begin
curing it. The country will stand
firmly behind federal and state iegfs-
lation to reorganize production ana
distribution. to make a repetition OF
this years wasteful shutdown impos-
sible" The hope Is expressed by the
Philadeiphia Public Ledger that the
suggestion that Congress investigate
the anthracite industry separately will
make for just such q result as the
Tribune desires, because while such
a commissions reports will not pre-
yent strikes. they should shorten and
end them with less Of danger and de.
structfon and more OF justice to all
parties concerned. The hope that
springs from what such investigations
about all the public carries with It
out Of the strike" Both views are
fully indorsed BY the Manchester
union, which Aaserts that sthe need