Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-09-11
SEE P|NCH0T
AS CANDIDATE
Pennsylvania Governor Gain
ed Prominence by Coal
Strike Action

ernor Clifford Pinchot, by his sue
cess in bringing about a settlement
of the anthracite strike, has un-
doubtedly put himself into a posi-
ton of great prominence before the
public eye as a potential contender
for the Republican nomination for
President in 1924.
Pinchot is right at this moment
in excellent position to contest with
President Coolidge for the nominal
ton, whereas a week ago politicians
were ready to admit that the Presi-
dent seemed to control the situation.
Friends of the Pennsylvania gov
ernor already are making jubilant
assertions as to the commanding
position Mr.. Pinehot now holds by
virtue of having taken over on his
own suggestion, the coal situation,
and succeeded, where the President
and the coal commission had failed,
III effecting q settlement thai as
sures a supply of coal for the pub
lie this winter.
President Coolidge, it Is pointed
out, was brought to the attention
of the country at large by his hand
ling Of the Boston police strike while
he was governor of Massachusetts.
1t was this which RAJ generally held
responsible for his nomination as
vice president in 1920, and his sub
succession to the Presidency.
And so when the coal strike loom
ed large Immediately following his
elevation to the Presidency, there
was general public expectation that
the new President would show an
iron hand and repeat his Boston vic
tory.
But after the failure of the New
York meetings between operators
and miners brought about by the
coal commission action under the
personal direction of the President,
the situation seemed to be unim-
proved. The President, to all APP
~Eearances, had failed.
Then Governor Pinchot stepped
forward and offered his services,
which were accepted. The parties
to the controversy were induced to
meet once more in Harrisburg; the
governor went over the matter at
issue with both sides, and finally
brought forth bis suggestions for
compromise. In the end, the terms
were accepted in the main by both
parties and the strike is off.
According to those who are boom
ing Governor Pinchot as the presi-
Dental nominee he has put himself
in high favor with the great a OF
the general public whose one care is
whether or not they have coal TO
burn. In addition, his success In
getting from the coal operators the
eight hour day and increased wages
will give him the sole support OF
miners and organized labor every
where.
But in examining these claims,
there are found to be reasons to
doubt that the strength gained by
Governor Pinchot is as large as 1t IS
reported to be by his adherents. His
settlement of the coal strike 1t IS as
serted, was merely a matter or
keeping the miners and operators
together until the demands of the
former were to a large measure sat
isfed. Or the same basis, 1t is
claimed, an agreement could nave
been reached without intervention
by any outside parties AT the begin
ming Of the Atlantic City conferences
had the operators been more anx-
ious to work the mines continuous
ly. ~
cost OF production of anthracite coal
will be Increased around $~32,O0O,O0O
for the winter, according TO the
most reliable statistics; and this in
creased burden will fall only on the
In fact, predictions are
being made freely that the addition
to the coal bill of the ultimate con-
sumer will be around $5O,OOO,OOo..
So the question arises, what viz
fne will the public find in a strike
settlement which results in sky
rocketing the price of coal once
more. True, it can be claimed that
without the settlement they would
have beer glad to pay twice as mucn
to get the coal at all; but imparuaI
observers have little faith in the
r~ea of the coal purchaser ex-
4 further than the bill before
his eyes. So, perhaps, Governor
Pinchot can look for but measured
support from a public that Is pay
ing famine prices for coal, say some
of the political leaders.
furthermore the arrangement
made bv Pinchot will certainly not
aain him any greater popularity
with the mine operators or capital
in general. -.
Pinchot is known throughout the
country as a leader in the movement
for conservation Of natural resources
as a leader in the Bull Moose or
ganization in 1912, and as a retor-
mer in state government. He Is dis
tinctlv out of sympathy with the Re
nuhlIcan organization of his
state and the organization mas ho
liking for him. -
His appeal has always been direct
w to the people, n II was IN tnis
,yav and by Overwhelming the Key
stone Republican organization that
= he won his present position. 1t is
, helieved to be extremely unlikely
bowever. that he could present a sui
dcient appeal to be able to get the
backing Of the PENNSYLVANIA dele
oates to the Republican natlohai
Convention in 1924 against the oppo-
sItion of the party organizations
and without the delegates from ms
own state neither Pinchot nor any
other candidate can hope for any
Great strength in a party conVeh-
lion.