Evening star., 1923-09-14
COOLIDGE ORDERS
PROBE OF EXCESS
HARDCOAL PROFITS
Federal Trade Commission
Instructed to Take Up Prof
iteering Charges.

cases of alleged profiteering in an
thracite coal that may arise, it was
said at the White House today
The Trade Commission is authorized
by law to make such Investigations
and to report on unfair trade prac-
tices If they are found to exist
The United State Coal Commission
also is being utilized to prevent coal
prohteering, through the use or data
collected by that body. it was SAID.
The coal commission has suggested
that there are too many middlemen
in the business, bringing about un-
reasonable prices for coal to the con-
sumner 1t may be possible, II was
suggested, to eliminate some or these
unnecessary middl-mcn. ii they. are
found to constitute an element or uh-
fair business methods.
The building up of better relations
between the operators and miners
within the agreement period is funda-
mentally necessary and would very
considerably lessen the probability
of national coal strike, the Coal Com
mission declared, in a report submitted
TO President Coolidge yesterday.
The commission in considerable de-
tail makes recommendations which. 1t
believes. would tend to improve rela-
tions between the employers and the
workers.
The report declares against nation
alization of the mines. 1t opposes
compulsory arbitration OF disputes
between the workers and operators
1t recommends c>mpulsory investiga-
tion, under authority of the President
of the United States. when strike
threatens. SO that when all the facts
are at hand the power OF public opin-
ion may be brought TO bear to
compel a settlement and prevent sus-
pension of work.
Must Give Warning.
Each agreement should contain
clause that will provide for automatic
renewal. except in regard to provi-
sions concerning which either party
may have given notice to other
ninety days in advance of the date OF
termination of the agreement. Such
q plan would give ample warning of
the danger OF a deadlock and oppor-
tunIty to set on foot the proposed in
vestigations.
The commission condemned both the
miners and operators for alleged
derelictions, and recommended that
the two groups join in the study
. of ways and means Of stablizing
the industry. A suggestion to the
operators was that they perfect
among themselves an organization as
effective as that OF the miners both as
a defensive and cooperative meas
ure.
Other outstanding recommendations
That each side place 'sonle check
upon the provocative and truculent
publicity" which tends to undermine
good relations.
Establishment in each district and
nationally of joint commissions OF
operators and miners TO make studies
of the principal Jobs and OF existing
rate differenttals. to develop an adec
quate basis for the needed revision of
the rate structure.
Continuation by the government
of its study into the industry gem
orally and intos specific phases, such
as unemployment and inequalities in
rate structure, and continuous, COM
pulsory collection and publicity of
rates and rate changes in non-union
: fields"
Establishment throughout nom
union fields of check weighmen, Sc
lected and paid by the men.
Discontinuance throughout the in
Abolition of convict leasing to
operators
Abolition of all "dlscounting of
scrip"
Serious study by both sides" of the
problem of undue Limitation of out
put and of causes leading thereto.
Disputes in union fields concerning
discharges to be settled promptly
through conciliation or arbitration,
with adequate checks" enforced in
- -
ness in exercise of the power of dis
charge.
Recognition of the unions right to
encourage new members, through the
example of service to its members
and by peaceful and honest per-
,suasion of every sort" with recog-
milton of similar right by operators
by good works and honest persua-
sion" to maintain non union status.
Rap Violence.
The report continues:
I'VE condemn violence. thuggery
and gun-work, whether practiced by
the union to enforce complete unioni-N
zation, or by the operators to prevent
1t. We recommend that such destruc-
tive labor policies as use of spies, of
deputy sheriffs as paid company
guards, house leases which prevent
free access and exit, and individual
contracts which are not free-will con-
tracts be abolished.
I'VE recognize" the commission
said. the irritating effects Of the
cheek-off to the operator. especially
in the collection of special fines and
assessments. And we recognize its
injurious effects upon the union in d.
vorcing the problem of income from
the winning OF membership, and in
the resulting lack of closeness of con-
tact and of educational Seryfce and
control by the higher officers to the
lower officers and to the rank and
file members of the union. We believe
that the unsettling effects of casting
out this practice, however. might
more than oYerbalance the gains. But
we do not feel that the check-off is
vital enough ever to justify a sus-
pension of operation.
Recognize Autonomy.
1--WE recognize that the establish
ment of a policy OF complete district
autonomy in the negotiation of new
agreements. as advocated bv some
operators, would result in great tur-
nroil and q renewal of the fierce COM
petition between districts that must
inevitably lower standards. We sug-
gest. however, that many operators
in the outlying fields have a real
grievance when they say that essen
tial elements of their agreements
are made for them in conferences In
which they are not represented. We
work out a system of national nego-
tiation with district agreements,
which will avoid standard-cutting
wars between districts and secure
sary district conditions.
I'VE recommend continuing um-
pire In each district as indispensable
TO the growth Of good relations.