Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-07-29

EVENTS OF A'WEEK.
The fourth month of the coal strike and the first
month of the rail strike close without evidence of
material progress toward settlement in either case.
S,sThere have been numerous conferences and discus
sions, and tentative plans for settlement have been
Stproposed here and there, but the strikes are still on
Sfin full force, and stocks of coal are nearing exhaus-
kion, while rail transportation is seriously hampered.
II, The coal strike has been marked by an out
j burst in Kentucky which has resulted in one death
land several minor casualties. Miners on their way
! Ito work in the Middlesboro district were fired on
fby a body Of strike sympathizers, one of their num-
)ber being killed and several wounded. The strik-
tEers, or their friends, say that if troops are brought
into the district they will be attacked, and the rioters
appear to be we'll armed.
#f + + X X
The invitation of the president to mine operat-
fofs to resume work in their mines with such labor
LAS could be secured has resulted in the r%eopening
lot some mines, and in some increase in production,
Ebut no very material change in the situation has
fl~resulted from this cause. Strikers have rejected the
presidents proposal that they return to work at the
fformer scale of wages, submitting all disputed ques-
fations to a commission which he will appoint.
The visible effort Of the government in rela-
hion to the coal strike has been directed chiefly to
Ethe problem OF distributing available supplies Of
local to the points where fuel is most needed, and
TO the making OF arrangements which will prevent
the charging OF extortionate prices. The routing of
coal shipments has eased the situation in many 10
calities, but the fact cannot be disguised that under
existing conditions of production, improved meth
DDS of distribution, while it affords relief in partcu-
lar cases, also hastens the total obliteration of the
nations supply.
Perhaps the most important feature in the rail
strike is the presidents action in calling a confer
\ encc of 146 executives of the principal railroads to
be held in Washington on Tuesday to go over the
/ situation with him. The date for the gathering was
fixed in order to give time for executives at a dis
1 tance to reach the capital. According to all the in
k~formation available the question of seniority re-
mains the chief obstacle in the way of agreement.
The president has not receded from his position
that the labor board, being the regularly constituted
government agency for that purpose, is the body
which must deal ultimately with questions of wages
ind working conditions.
The effect of the rail~strike is difficult to esti-
mate. In this territory the embargo which was
i placed on freight shipments to Montana has been
/ removed, and many of the roads report that their
service has been restored practically to normal.
There is no evidence that any great number of
strikers have returned to work. There has prob
ably been some increase in the number of outside
men employed. On the whole, however, it seems
fair to assume that the improved conditions of
service result from the ability of the managers so
TO organize their depleted forces as to get along with
smaller equipment rather than increased ability to
keep the condition of that equipment up to standard.
In connection with these two great strikes. it is
Interesting to note that there is excellent prospect
OF 2 seamen's strike on the lakes as a protest against
wage reductions. Such a strike, putting more than
half the lake %freighters out of commission, and oc2
Sscurring at a time when there is at least the hone
liSfhat the other strikes may be ended in time to get
Issomc coal to the northwest, would just about end
what little patience is left among the people of the
northwest
H% The senate is having a rather familiar expert
Ence with Schedule <, the wooden schedule in the
thrift bill, the rates in which, under the PAYNE
lgAAldrich bill President Taft declared to be indefens-
@ible...s Denouncing duties on certain grades of cloth
which he declared amounted to 100 per cent ad
lXyAlprenn, Senator Nelson of Minnesota said fatty
ISthaf>he would not support a bill containing such a
spr6vision.
The treasury department is asking the bankers
RaafSthe country to assist it in refunding $4,500, OOe,
4M0Q0sWorth OF w short term notes into notes Of the
nsx Il series. incidentally it is announced that
AN1sl1iri the past "A months the total Indebtedness Of
yas country has been reduced by a little over a bill
50b dollars, the amount now standing at $s2,963,-
Ffans are under discussion for the creation Of !
%s1aission which shall deal with the war claims OF
XkNE1ked states against Germany. deterni-
[11lggekkaof ne amounts 20 be paid will requne i lot
AeneS and study, Az immense sums are involved
*S04dicting claims arising out Of the seizure oi
5G~15gx6snI-owned property, especially patents, 81 Til
ssy during feswar
nlopesn governments are proceeding serious.
G&fSe M1fk cf balancing their mutual war indebt.
ssAncsIh sf claims seainst Fsanee 81 condition
SslAss fnsksssa smailsr concession v Germany