Evening star., 1923-06-26
PRESIDENT OPPOSES
i. s. coal. M|NES|
Declares al Cheyenne, Wyo.,
Commission Will Bring
New Understanding.
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
CltEf ENNE, Wyo., June 26.-In a
discussion here yesterday of the ma
tons coal problems in which he men,
toned the industry, the consuming
public and the governments interest
IN all phases of coal operations, Pres
ldent Harding recorded himself as be-
ing opposed to matchmaking the
and declared that the United
States Coal Commission would bring
the country "a new understanding" Of
the problems and point out d solution
in behalf of a vital public interest"
The chief executive spoke from the
observation platform of the car in
which he came here from Denver to
MS first Wyoming audience. He also
mentioned the problems of the live
STOCK producers of the state, the wool
interests, and called attention to re-
lief measures which he said Congress
and the War Finance Corporation had
given after wars imitation and later
aeflation.
Finds Operators Also to Blame.
In developing his principal theme,
the coal problem. Mr.. Harding re-
ferred to the strike of last year, as
SCI NIilS his OIDluiOn lhaI many mine
operators were as much responsible
Tor that situation as the men who
struck.
The biggest need of the world to-
day. the President said. was work,
adding that the world has no use for
a loafer, big or little. whether COM
manding capital or directing labor"
Referring to the coal situation at
another point in his remarks, Mr..
Harding said:
few years ago. one of your wy
oming statesmen made the astound-
ing statement that your state alone
contained enough coal to supply the
entire land with fuel for four gem
erations TO come. Whether the state
ment was eXtravagant or not it was
at least an intimation of your min
eral resources Of which the nation
at large had never dreamed
Pressing Problem OF Country.
How incomprehensibIe indeed are
your limitleSs possibilities, and you
are but one of many states of SEEM
lngly Incompatible material riches.
Let US hope that the genius of states
men and the common sense of buSi-
ness may be combined to solve the
problems of transportation and dis
tribution so that your wealth may
be made an asset to the nation as
well as the state.
1T may seem far cry to talk
about the coal problem in Wyoming,
but it is one of the pressing prob
lens of the country. In New England
today there is anxiety about next
fuel supply, traceable to the
experienced hardships of last winter.
That severe trial, to New England In
followed the coal and rail
way strikes. when winter came on
with inadequate supply and insuffi-
cient transportation facilities.
Not blind TO Sifuation
''The government is not blind to the
situation or deaf to appeals. Is
doing everything possible so far as
by law to dispel public ap-
prehension Under the authority of
an act of Congress the United States
and earnest men. has been engaged
IN a thorough investigation of this
sital problem and will report to the
Congress next December.
There may be revelations as to
,ost of production, which will destroy
lrice-making abuses through insist
mt public opinion. l hope for the
'evelation of the economic blunder in
operating mines half and quarter
ime, by which the higher labor costs
are made necessary.
Warns Against Price Panics.
Meanwhile, we shall the better
guard against inconvenience and
hardship if the consuming public will
lelp as best it can, without expecting
he government to assume all the re-
;ponsibility.
IF the coal-consuming world
would buy coal during the periods OF
scant consumption it would guard it
self against price panicS and danger
ous shortages when consumption is
at the peak. In the hope of lowered
prices the buying is postponed and
hat very postponement is contribut-
ing to a decided price increase. There
Is need for some Individual initiative
and responsibility in preparing for
the wintry days to come. There is
mistaken notion that somehow the
may WELD a magic wand
Or strike with the iron hand and pro-
iuce cheap coal 1t can do neither.
You can no more enforce the mine
worker to produce coal than you can
enforce the farmer to grow wheat or
,orn or wool. We saw that erroneous
belief exploded year ago.
No Coal Produced.
Many mine operators, who were as
much responsible for the strike as the
Horkmen who struck. insisted that
Inder law enforcement they could
produce all the coal that was needed.
The law enforcement was provided,
jut no coal was produced There can
De no coal mining in free America
Inder force of arms. But if We un-
lerstand the situation fully, and Of
.er justly, and men accustomed to
produce coal will not work to meet
he public need. the public will pro-
luce their successors.
The common veal transcends
very other interest and puts aside
very obstacle. We will find the
1 hope we shall find it
Without further hardships or endan-
;ered life or menaced industry. But
re shall not find it in nationalizing
he mines. That would be only
mother step to the national paraly-
lis which a sane American will ever
avoid. Nor shall we solve
ike that of bituminous coal nroduc-
ion, under plan of operation which
,ffords the mine worker only 100 or
so working days year. The nor
nal man. aspiring for himself and
lis family, cannot live that way, even
hough he is paid what is seemingly
!, generous wage. because his wage
lays are not ample for a life of
honest industry and becoming thrift
Problems Can't BE Dodged.
Such a problem is very insistent.
It cannot be lodged nor solved in
1emagogy. 1t demands our best
thought and all our courage. Let
Us hope that in the search for a way
to full justice in dealing with coal.
we may find a suggested plan for
dealing with kindred problems which
are ever rhenacing our industrial
peace and hindering our full accomp-
Iishment."
The Presidents arrival at Chey-
enne was Signalled in advance to the
crowds through an aerial es-
cort of five United States mail air.
ships, which met the train about
twenty miles from the city and fol-
lowed the tracks, flying high above
the train and dropping roses about
the moving cars
On arriving the chief executive was
greeted b. Gov. Ross, Senator War
rem and a small reception committee.
After a public reception and the for
NAL address, the President left for
Ogden TTtah ~ 80