Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-18
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eroyimately Juue ~ "''''"i.o "S'o INA
kstsd bv the Government In the hope
Y sxpediting settlement. None of these
dvaied.
..Indiyidual and district tenders of
.,tipn,cnt on the part OF operntors--in
s,re instances appeals for settlement
.sre wholly unavaiing. The dominant
ssouns among the operators were in
sstent on having district agreements ;
shs dominant mine workers were de-
landing n nation wide settlement. The
coyernment, being without authority to
srforcc strike settlement In the coal
;rdustry. could only volunteer its good
1Gces in finding way OF ADJUST
y pent.
"a "Accordingly, conference Of the
II ...i onerators' associations and the gen :
sssj and district officials of the United
4aTine Workers was called to meet in
Washington on July 1. The designu-
Aim of representation was left to the
sfscias of the various organizations,
and there was nation wide representa-
uon, except from the non union fields
Of the country.
Before the joint meeting 7 ex-
messed the deep concern Of the country
and invited them to meet OF con-
ference table and end the disputes be-
tween them. The conference did not
develop even a hope. The operators
we're asking for their district or terri
torial conferences; the workers de-
manded national settlement on old
hses.
Meet With President
"Appraisiny correctly the hopelessness
Of the situation l again invited both
operators and workers to meet With
me, and rendered a means of settle
ment so justly inspired that 1t was diff =
cult to see how any one believing in
Industrial peace and justice to all con-
cerned could decline it,
In substance, it called on the oper- :
ators to open their mines, on the mine
workers to resume work ut the same pay
and under the same working conditions
as prevailed at the time the strike began.
In turn, the Government was to create
at once coal commission, or two of
them, If preferred by all parties to the
dispute, so that one could deal with
the bituminous situation, the other with
The problems in the anthracite field.
Commission Endorsed
"Among the commissioners were to
be representatives of the operators, rep
resentativcs of the mine workers, and
outstanding, dsintercsted. and able
representatives of the American public
The commission was to be instructed
10 direct its first inquiry to the rate Of
wage to be paid for the period ending
next April 1 and then to enter upon a
fact finding inquiry into every phase Of
the industry, and point the way to
avoid future suspensions in production.
''The disputants all indorsed the
suggestion OF fact finding commits
sion. The anthracite operators
promptly accepted the entire proposai.
The nine workers refused to resume
work under the arbitration plan. The
majority of the bituminous operators
filed an acceptance, but n considerable
minority declined the proposal.
States Co. operated
"tnder these circumstances, having
no authority to demand compliance, the
Government had no other course than
to invite resumption of production
under the rights of all parties to the
controversy with assurance of Gov
ernment protection of each and every
one in his lawful pursuits. This fact
was communicated to the Governors OF
all coal producing States, and with two
exceptions assurances Of maintained law
and order were promptly given.
"In some instances concrete proof Of
effective readiness to protect all men.
strikers and non striking workmen
alike was promptly given. But little
or no new production followed. The
simple but significant truth was re-
vealed that except for such coal as
comes from the districts worked b: nom
organized miners the country is at the
mercy Of the United Mine Workers.
Appeals for Relief
Governors in various States re-
ported that their operators and miners
had no dispute and were eager to re-
sumo production. District lenders in
formed me that their workmen were
anxious to return to their Jobs but
'hat they were not permitted to do 20.
"Hundrcds Of wives of workmcn have
addressed the White House, bcsecch-
Ing settlement, alleging that they knew
no grievance. and there is an unending
story OF appeals for relief where neces-
sity or suffering were impclling, where
mere expression of need ought to find
ready compliance.
Evils In Present System
At every stage. the Government has
oeen Just neutral regarding wage
scales and working contracts. There are
fundamental evils in our present sys-
TEN of producing and distribution which
make the wage problems difficult. In
The bituminous coal fields are vastly
more mines than are requisite to the
country = needs. and there are 900 900
more mine workers than are needed TO
produce In continuous employment the
couhtry's normal requirements. BY
continuous employment ! mean approx
miately $50 working days in the year.
In many instances last year men
were employed less than $50 days, in
same cases much fewer than that. In
the overmanned sections men divide the
working time, and high wages are nee
sessary to meet the cost of the barcst liv-
ing; interrupted transportation, sorely
proKen employment. the failure to de-
vei0p storage against enlarged demands
ahd inadequate carrying-all these pre-
seht problems bearing on righteous
wage adjustment, and demand construc-
tive solution.
Asks Authority to Act
4. because of these things because OF
!ne Impressions of many cases of un-
iuStlhable profits in the industry, and
eecailSe public interest demands inves-
ugatlon, and demands the finding of
tacls be given to the public. am ask
ing at your hands the authority to
Srea,e commission to make a search
mg investigation into the whole coal in
austry; with provision for it's lawful
ssctVitl"S and the bestowal of authority
w. ~, reveal every phase Of coal produc-
Won; sale and distribution.
am speaking now on behalf of
mihe- workers, mine operators and the
.nirrlcan public. 1t will bring pro-