Evening star., 1923-02-09
EDITORIAL DIGEST

bv the way, many OF the miners. If
not most Of them, do not approve-we
can't drive them out OF the work thsy
feel they want to do. lnAsmuch'
however as both sides of the nego-
tiation seem to be reasonably satis-
f,ed." the Buffalo Times believes the
public welcomes an UNDERSTANDING
which defines the situation Tor the
year"
Because of the limited time in
which the agreement is to run, the
Cleveland Plain Dealer insists that
lit will be a most serious and costly
error II the announcement or the
agreement should be followed by any
less serious effort or the part OF the
coal commission to deal with the
problems of the industry in a cor
structive, forward looking way.
Heretofore we have waited until the
emergency was upon us before at
tempting to deal with 1t and the
remedies found have of necessity
been only compromises and make
shifts. Resort should not be had to
any such expedients In the future.
The peace now seemingly assured for
fullest advantage by the agency in
whose hands the future OF the coal
industry has been intrusted."
In the viewpoint Of the Schenectady
Gazette, Ii the miners and operators
in the hard coal fields come to as
Sd Go ndNC OCSh
ported from the midwest section,
there will be established a situation
with more hope for succeeding years
The agreement in Ohio. Indiana and
Illinois creates a permanent organi-
zation for the adjustment of differ
ences. which makes of paramount i'm
portance an unceasing supply Of fuel
This Is the real end to be attained.
| And, while another strike would
have been suicidal" the milwaukee ee
l.
| more remains to be done If the in
dustry is to rehabilitate itself in
public esteem. The coal industry is
now on probation and it remains to
be seen whether 1t will live up to
its promise to reform itself. The
trend in Congress is toward regula-
ton Of coal mining as public utility
In that status there is little comfort
for the advocates Of naturalization
who may expect palmy days for
may get government regulation. but
1t will hardly be the kind OF regu-
lation that promises profits and easy
| jobs at the expense of the nation
A drop in market prices may be
hoped for as a result Of the agree
! ment, the Indianapolis News suggests
as there are indica tions of lower
figures. Coal prices this winter have
been serious burden that has in
terfered with the comfort and proba-
Oily WIN inc nealtn OF the people
and in all probability has been re-
| fiected in the price of other articles
of consumption. for there are few
| of either necessities or luxuries, into
| the production of which coal does
not enter"
This is only truce" however the
Baltimore American insists, and be.
r fore April, 1924, the federal commits
| sion should have reported and consid
cradle progress been made toward
framing a national policy that will
prevent strikes and high costs and in
sure a steady supply OF fuel. This
| allows none too much time, but the
knowledge that the wage question
will arise again in little more than 9
year should prevent any further de-
lays II the coal commission flnishe,
it's work as 1t has begun, IL 1t offer,
| an acceptable remedy for the over
development which 1t recognized in
preliminary report as the chief caus,
| of tie-upS. the country may have seer
tha last of nation vida coal n rik -