The Washington times., 1922-08-18

declined the proposal. =
Under these circumstances, having
no authority to demand compliance.
the Government had no other course
than to invite a resumption OF pro.
duction under the rights OF all
parties to the controversy, with as
surance Of Government protection
Of each and every one In his lawful
pursuits. This fact was communi-
Gated to the governors Of all coal
producing States, and with two ex.
ceptions assurances OF maintained
law and order were promptly given.
In some instances concrete proof OF
effective readiness to protect all
men, strikers and nonstriking work
men alike, was promptly given. But
little or no new production followed.
The simple but significant truth
was revealed that. except for such
coal as comes from the districts
worked by nonorganized miners, the
country is at the mercy OF the
United Mine Workers.
Governors In various States re.
ported that their operators ana
miners had no dispute and were
eager to resume production. District
leaders informed me that their work
men were anxious to return TO their
Jobs but that they were not per-
mitted to do so. Hundreds OF wives
Of workmen have addressed the
White House, beseeching q settle
ment. alleging that they knew nc
grievance, and there 10 an unending
story Of appeals for relief where
necessity or suffering were i'm
pelling, where a mere expression oi
need ought to find ready compliance
At every stage, the Government
has been a Just neutral regarding
wage scales and working contracts.
There are fundamental evils In our
present system of producing and
distribution which make the wage
problem difficult. In the bitumi'
nous coal fields are vastly more
mines than are requisite to the
country's needs, and there are zOo'
900 more mine workers than are
needed to produce In continuous
employment the country's normal
requirements. BY continuous EN-
ployment mean approximately
$50 working days in the year. In
many instances last year men were
employed less than $50 days, In
some cases much fewer than that.
In the overmanned sections men
divide the working time. and high
wages are necessary to meet the
cost of the barest living. Inter
rupted transportation, sorely broken
employment, the failure to develop
storage against enlarged demands
and Inadequate carrying-an these
present problems bearing on right,
eous wage adjustment, and demand
constructive solution.
Asks Creation Of Commission.
Because Of these things, because
Of the impressions Of many cases
Of unjustifiable profits in the in
dustry, and because public interest
demands investigation, and demands
the finding of facts be given to the
public, I am asking at your hands
the authority to create commits
sion to make a searching invests
cation into the whole coal industry
with provision for it's lawful &C
tivities and the bestowal OF su
thority to reveal every phase oi
coal production. sale. and distribu
ton. I am speaking now on be
half Of mine workers, mine oper
ators. and the American public. 1,
will bring protection to all and
point the way to continuity OF pro
duction and the better economic
functioning of the industry in the
future.
The necessity for such a search
ing national investigation with con
structive recommendation Is impera
tive. At the moment the coal skie.
are clearing. but unless we fine
cure for the economic ills which
affect the industry and therein find
basis for righteous relationship
we shall be faced with a like men
acing situation on next April l or
the expiration Of the wage con
tracts which are now being made
Need For Inquiry Revealed.
The need for such investigation
and independent consideration Is re
vealed by both operators and min'
workers in the provision in the Cleve
| land agreement so recently made
The Government will gladly co
operate with the industry in this pro
gram 30 far as II is the public In
terest so to do, but have an un
alterable conviction that no LASTING
| satisfaction or worthwhile RESULT
will ensue unless we may have ,
Government commission, independ
ent Of the industry, clothed with
authority by the Congress to search
| deeply, so that II may advise as Il
| fair wages and as to conditions o.
labor and recommend the enactmen
Of laws to protect the public in tn,
future.
The almost total exhaustion o.
stocks Of coal. the crippled condi
ton Of the railways. the distressed
situation that has arisen and nigh
grow worse in our great cities du,
| to the shortage Of anthracite, tn,
suffering which might arise In tn,
Northwest through failure to NEE
winter needs by lake transportation
all these added to the possibility o
outrageous price demands, in spite o
the most jealous voluntary efforts o
| the Government to restrain them
make II necessary to ask you to con
| slider at once some form Of tenn
porary control Of distribution ant
prices.
The Administration earnestly ha,
sought to restrain profiteering ant
to secure the rightful distribution o.
such coal as has been available In
this emergency. There were no lega
nnn't Cunss-