The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-08-25
HARDING AND THE &c.,

President Harding in his address to
Congress yesterday presented no spe-
cific plans for the settlement OF eX-
listing industrial difficulties. He told
Congress that he was resolved ITO
use all the power OF the government
to maintain transportation and to sus-
tain the right of men to work, ana
he indicated sources of power that
have not yet been used. The theme
of his message was, however, not the
solution Of the present problem, but
the application of the lessons drawn
from the industrial crisis to future
| conditions.
The coal skies are clearing at the
moment, he says, but after reviewing
the efforts of the government to eff
feet a settlement of the coal strike
he admits the impotency of the fed
eral authority, declaring the Simple
and significant truth" to be that
'the country is at the mercy OF the
| United Mine Workers" He discloses
that district leaders have informed
him that their workmen were anxious
to return to their jobs but were not
permitted to do so, and that hundreds
of wives of workmeh have implored
him to press for settlement. Ope--
rators and miners in many cases had
no disputes, but work was beng sus-
pended by the mandate of the union.
In this situation he calls upon Con-
gress for authority to appoint a COM
mission to make thorough investl-
CATION of the coal mining industry
and to recommend legislation to cure
| its economic ills. Unless this is done,
Inc warns Congress, the conditions
from which we now suffer will be re-
newed next April when the temporary
contracts now being made shall ex-
pire. He also asks for immediate pro.
vision for temporary national coal
agency for the handling of coal in IN
terstate commerce, as measure OF re-
lief from shortage and protteerlne
growing out of the existing scarcity.
Congress- should lose no time in act
ing affirmatively upon these recon-
mendations Of the President. Even Il
all the coal mines were re-opened a.
once and production resumed at full
capacity there will be great losses fol
months to come from the fuel situa
ton. It is of the utmost Importance
that coal distribution be facilitated b!
national authority and that provision
be made for restraint of prices b.
federal power until this emergency i
passed. AS to the commission Of in
curry, that is measure which this pa
per urged during the coal strike o
1919 and we have advocated it re
peatedly in the present one. Befor
any intelligent action can be taken TO
the public protection and relief, tn
coal industry must be investigate
thoroughly by competent and relis
BILE authorities who can be depende
upon to make reports that will be a
curate and impartial and to offt
Recommendations for Legislation thi
will be effective. The opportunity Il
such an inquiry was lost in 1919.
should be grasped now. The DANCE
of delay in providing means OF col
troll for this great industry has bee
again, and more forcibly, impresse
upon us. If we fail once more to q
what is so plainly our duty to do, "
must expect further industrial trol
- BILE and economic losses in this held
In regard to the railroad situate
the President declared that the d.
cisions of the Railroad Labor Boal
y "must be made enforceable ar
y effective against carriers and en-
u ployes alike" but he asked for, T
Il immediate action on this line, sayIr
4 that no perfection of the law at tn
moment "could be helpful in the pre-
"a ent threatened paralysis of transpo
y tation." This no doubt is true, Il
p such an amendment of the law cou
III not apply to past events, but y
should think the time to act upon tn
IS matter is while the lesson is impress
Is lively before Congress and the nee
for acting to protect the future IS
. plain. "Surely," says the Presider
ys 1.-THE threatening conditions must IN
Of press the Congress and the COUNT
ne That no body of men, whether limit
4, in number and responsible for railroi
III management, or powerful in numbe
..e and the necessary forces in rallro'
III oneration, shall be permitted
choose a course which so imperils pu
e. lie welfare" But if these conditio
nj are allowed to pass without immet
W ate remedial legislation the. spur
such legislation will be lacking, a
Sc Congress is likely to let the matt
a drift again. The time To strength
hit the labor section of the transport
he ton act is now, when the impress
by conditions is strongest upon Congre
and upon the people. The law shoI
ne be made a positive assertion that
ed man or no body of men can impe
lr- the public welfare by stopping tral
nd portation. Democrat.
or --------