The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-13
COOLIDGE r AGE s. No GRAVE CRISIS ON TAKING RE ING
Possibility of Miners Strike Is Main Cloud On Nations
 Industrial Horizon
By WALTER F. BROWN Editor New York Commercial Heased Wire to Age-HcraId)

NEW YORK, August 12.-Mr. Cool idse has come into office at a time when there are many perpleXing problems to face, buS fortunately, at time when there is no grave crisis at hand, if we may except the possi- bility of another coal strike, which has not as yet become a probabil- ity. It is to be hoped that the con- servatiVe element among the United Mine Workers will prevail, because 1t is known that they were in favor of letting well enough alone. The radical element, however is pro- ceeding on the theory that it is all- powerful and can obtain whatever terms it may see fit to impose. It is doubtful if the rank and file of the miners are anxious to undergo an other period of inactivity, for, al though they succeeded last year in retaining their previous maximum wage scales, they went without any wages at all for period of five months. The real difficulty in the coal situation is that the industry IS OVermanned, which the Secretary Of Lab1r at Washington estimates to be To the extent of 100000. The union plea is that because of the idleness due to excess production the average
  wage scales, do not afford living wage to the miners. From an eco homie standpoint. it means that the coal consumers of the country are called upon to support 2O0,OOO men in idieness throughout the year, not always the same men, but the same total.
 Remedy Is Simple.
 The remedy is pointed out by the Secretary of Labor, who says that If this excess labor supply could be transferred to the steel industry for example, where there is labor shortage. it would solve two proo- lens at once. The loss of 100000 men would, however, weaken the coal union to an extent that its off, cIals do not like to contemplate, and they 6o not, therefore, look with fla Vor upon the proposition.
 There now goes into effect the eieht-hour day in the steel industry in place of the 12-hour day, which has prevailed in some of it's depart ments hitherto. The change cannot be effected all at once, as it will re- qure 60,c00 additional men, who are not immediately available. This is a reform that has been brought about by pubic opinion.
 Slowing Down Disclosed
 There has been slowing down in
  the reduction in thrilled orders on the books of the United States Steel Corporation August 1, which shows a falling off of 20 per cent from the peak of March l. In this respect the industry is just about where 1t was A wear ago. There has, however, been an increase of new bookings during the month of July, as com pared with June. but there has been also a corresponding increase in de- Hveries to offset it. The outlook is for increased activity a month or six weeks hence. but hardly before that.
 From the production standpoint, the agricultural outlook is satisfac- tory enough, ut from the economic standpoint it is not altogether favor able. The latest government reports, however, indicate a falling ott Tn wheat estimates tf some 2S,o00'UOo bushels, and in cotton prospects oy possibly 50O,000 bales. Cotton prices are likely to go higher and so Will whe prices. for that matter, put It is by no means certain that the lat- ter will advance sufficiently to al lav the discomfort of the farmers There will be an active demand for The cotton crop. without any dCubt' as the statistical position is a very strong on,. Wheat. in any event VIII produce a surplus. The carryoVers from the last crop was an average one. but the increased production Tn importing countries will lessen the demand for our crCp ana we are likely, therefore. to have hiueh It,i II larger carryover next year. ihe prospects for the corn crop are that if win he . Sountiful one, and prof. itable one. This will depend upon whether or not there is an early trost which some of the ltng-range weath- CT prosnosticators say Will be the cas this year. The agricultural re- turns may be fairly large, but the tr uble will be that they Will De uh-