The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-15
STEADY JOBS
WILL SOLVE
C0ALPR0BLEM
Commission Makes Report of
Thorough Investigation
CT Industry
CHARGE PROFITEERING
Excrbitant Profits Have Been
Taken by Operators and
Brokers
CHARGE pROFITEERING


try is the fundamental cause of high
prlces and the fuel shortage which
las menaced the American public
repeatedly in recent years, the Unit
ed States Coal Commits sion held to-
dty, in preliminary report OF It's
fact finding investigation laid be-
fore Congress.
Labor troubles, transportation diff
hlulties, and er-development OF
tha industry in mines and manpower
H. point where it is much larger
Than necessary to supply public de-
luand for it's product-if operations
ygore continuous-were all three as
gned as among primary causes for
the condition. The exact bearing
which these have upon the existing
,uation, the commission said, it in
ieuded to study in its further in
qalry.
degrading the possibility Of an
other general coal strike after April
q, the report said the commission
'aas reason to believe that an agree
nent will be reached in the near flu
tuIe that will avert any widespread
sation of mine operations in union
leIds on April L."
he commission added that its
work in promoting industrial peace
ty ascertaining and publishing relia-
It'e data on wages, earnings employ
ucnt volume, profits and costs in
Vowed in coal production will pro-
coed with that unders landing. Refer
ence was made to the exchange of
rcommunications between the COM
30 5sion, miners union officials, and
representatives of operators which
MS lessened the danger Of the strike
-ptospect.
Six members of the commi ssion,
.ohn Hays Hammond, chairman, DR..
z aorge Otis Smiths-former director
ct the Geological Survey, Clark Ho-
IL, editor Of the Atlanta Consti-
ii ton, former Vice President Mar
all, Charles P. Neill, and DR.. Ed
y ard T. Devine, signed the report
rendered, while Federal Judge
"a schuler, whose judicial tenure has
revented his qualifying formally
Tor service as commissioner, attach
"a a mem orandum approving the
ews of his colleagues. The COM
{. nission was created by Congress af-
er the 1922 coal strike to investi-
ate the entire coal problem.
Complex Factors.
"There have been so many such
complex factors operating in the
play of economic forces, "the report
said in concluding shat very de-
tailed and comprehensive investiga-
ton is required before a valid con-
clusion can be reached. The inquiry
involves ,the whole question as to
what is best for the people, free
competition, government or private
ownership, regulation or control in
the coal industry. The problem is of
SO great moment, with reference not
, only to the theories of government
but also to the economic life of the
republic, that the view of the COM
mission must be left to its final re-
port.
"There can be no satisfactory
agreement as to wage rates, and no
lasting peace between operators and
men, unless steadier employment
can be provided. There can be no
satisfactory solution of our trans
portation problem SO long as the
railroads are subjected to sudden
peak loads of coal traffic at the sea-
son when the. demands of agricul-
ture and industry are at their
heighth.
"The commission believes that the
public interest in coal raises funda-
mental questions of the relation of
This industry to the nation, and of
the degree to which private rights
must yield to public welfare. 1t may
lie that both private property in an
exhaustible resource and labor in q
public service industry must submit
10 certain notifications of their pri-
vate rights, receiving in return GER
tain guarantees and privileges not
accorded to purely private business
or persons in private employ"
Higher Than Warranted.
With anthracite coal problems, the
preliminary report dealt only brief
ly. Search would continue, it was
said, into the reasons which left the
United States, though "rich beyond
all other nations in its wealth of
ccai resources" with a national coal
bin too often depleted" with prices
higher than seem warranted by the
wealth of coal available" and with
general public concern and dissatis-
faction as to fuel supply.
There has been profiteering in
the industry in the sense that gross
" exorbitant profits have been taken
4 1T times by many operators, brokers,
and retailers; profits that have been
disproportionate to the cost Of the
coal" the report said in part, "but
this commission has not yet obtained
the figures specifically required by
The act in order to settle this ques-
ticn. A thorough examination Of pro-
III is a1ready under way"
Run-away markets" for coal in
1920 and 1922, the commission con-
tinped, followed prolonged cessation
~ mining operations due to dis.
agreement between employers and
enployes, but high prices also ruled
1pm August, 1915 to March, 1913
md fer that period sxsome other ex.
\ <31nation Of the high prices and
Mattress must be found"
The responsibility Of settling dis
xteS,p the report remarked % to
81 b present labor situation, "resta
4 lmArily upon the industry. The
81 mmission therefore warned miners
fd operators alike that the country
i 70 them to settle their own
:a| fp,xtAs and to reach an amieable