Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-05-27
COAL STRIKE is
NOT BOTHERING
GENERAL PEACE
BY FREDERIC j. HAsKIN.

Washington, May 26.-The coal
strike is now entering upon its
eighth week and at the time this is
written it has caused as yet barely
To- ripple upon the surface of gem
eral affairs. Everybody was more
or less excited when the strike was
called and ii was expected that
something would happen shortly
after the miners ceased work on
April /. To date, however, that in
definite something" is still in
allegiance.
There are three reasons for this
extraordinary situation following a
nationwide tie-up of one OF the
great basic industries. In the
first place, the strike came at sea-
son of the year when normally the
demand for coal is at its lowest
ebb and at a time when the in
dustrial demand was below normal.
Secondly, there were large reserve
supplies of coal above ground when
the strike was called and the nom
union production added to these
reserves has been sufficient to pre-
vent a fuel shortage as yet. Finally,
the miners have so conducted the
strike that there has been com
paratively little disorder and few
clashes have occurred between them
and their sympathizers and the
duly constituted authorities.
Far different conditions prevailed
at the time OF the 1919 strike. Ihen
winter was at hand, the demand
for coal was above normal there
was no reserve stock on hand, ana
neither miners nor operators were
in such state of mind that they
could or would avoid clashes that
threatened law and order. Prices
of coal to the consumer began I'M
mediately to advance, and in no
time at all the public and the red
eral powers were aroused TO a point
where government Intervention was
inevitable. ~
When the present strike was call
ed II was announced that the gov
eminent would not interfere until
IL was evident that the public was
being pinched by fuel shortage OF
some other untoward deVelopfnehes
had taken place. obviously tna.
time has not yet arrived ana tneie
are no indications OF its ARRIVAL IN
the immediate future. lndeeu'
NAV be said that the conditions at
tending the strike thus tar nav
been such as to make 1t waste Oh
fine To attempt to bring about
of the controversy
Neither the miners nor the opera,
ors have suffered sufficiently to feel
that the strike must be ended even
AT the cost Of concessions py vno
side or the other, and nothing mas
to arouse the general pun
lie 70 a degree that would MAKE
intervention advisaple'
public Opinion Important.
Public opinion is an eN'reinsis
important factor in a case Oh ti
kind. In the absence OF speciLie
laws under which the admlnistra
tion might proceed to END tne
strike action can be taken o.,y
yhen II appears that the genera
welfare is jeopardized and wnen
here is an overwhelming pupuc
sentiment to support whatever
ction may be taken. There is no
federal law prohibiting strikes OF
Iockouts, none under whicn tne
miners and operators can be COM
nelled to arbitrate their differences
ana none requiring the acceptance
~ terms of settlement proposed by
the government or any outslue
agency. The state OF Kansas mas
1, law aimed to accomplish these
ends, but It has not been demon
strated a. complete success as
state measure and. of course, II OF,
fers no solution for the natlonai
problem. 49,, sr
It is a peculiar situation. sooner
,r later a strike of this proportion
must work hardship or possibly DIS
aster to somebody. The strikers
and their families will be reduced
% suffering and want. The opera
.ors and investors in mine proper
les will suffer financial losses
hat NAV prove serious. Other In
Iustries will be handicapped or
,rippIed by a fuel shortage, ana
the general public will
nave to pay more for its coal ana
ind It difficult or impossible to Cd
ain the needed supply. Still MOTH
ng can be done to avert these I'M
pleasant results OF a labor con-
roversy. 1t must become sutfl-
,iently serious for everybody con-