New Britain herald., 1923-01-15
Fuel Shortage Also Laid to This Fundamental Reason in Report to Congress.

has msnsesd the AmeFieaR public ns ipsateAly in recent years, the Unite States coal commission held today, | la preliminary report Of iis fact hns
 ing investigation laid before congress
 i.ahor troubles, transportation dif ienltles, and oysFrdeleiapmsR Of th
 industry iR mines and manpsweT to
 point where it is much larger ihal necessary 10 supply pnhiie demand fs its produet--if operations acre con ltinuaus-were all three assigned s
 among primary causes for the eondi ton, The exact bearing which ines,
 have upon the existing situation, thi
 commission said, it intended to stud!
 in its further inquiry,
 No New Strike Likely.
 Regarding the possibility of aHoihe, general coal strike after April |. ths report said the commission "ha. req, son 10 believe that an agreement sill be reached in the near future tha, win avert any widespread cessation Of mine operations in union fields on April l."
 The commission added that its work in promoting industrial peace by as- rertaininE and publishing reliable data on wages, earnings, employment vol- tune. profits and costs involved in eoa! production will proceed with that un- derstandinr. Reference vas made to the exchange Of communications be- tween the commission. miners union officials. and representatives or opera tors which has lessench tho danger of tho strike prospect,
 Six members Of tho commission. John Hays Hammond, chairman: Dr. George Otis smith. former director of the Geological Survey; Clark Howell. editor Of the Atlanta Constitution: former Viee-President Marshall. Charles P. Neill and Dr. Edward T. Devine. signed the report as rendered while Federal Judge Alschuler whose Judicial tenure has prevented his gratifying formally for service as commissioner, attached a memoran. dunn approving the views of his col leagues. The commission was created by congress after the 1922 coal strike to investigate the entire coal prob- lem
 What Is Rest.
 There have been SO many and such complex factors operating in the | coal industry to prevent the free play | of economic forces" the report said | in concluding. that a very detailed 1 and comprehensive investigation is e. quired before a valid conclusion can | be reached. The inquiry involves the V hole question as to what is best for | the people. free competition, govern ment or private ownership, regulation or control in the coal industry Il The problem is of so great moment, with reference not only to the theor- ies of government but also to the eco homie life of the republic. that the view of the commission must be left to its final report.
 There can be no satisfactory agreement as to wage rates, and no asting peace between operators and nen, unless steadier employment can ,e provided. There can be no satis- actory solution of our transportation problem so long as the railroads are ; objected to sudden peak loads of cal traffic at the season when the emands of agriculture and industry re at their heighth.
 The commission believes that the ublic interest in coal raises lunda- ,ental questions or the relation of his industry to the nation, and of the egree to which private rights must ied to public welfare. It may be hat both private property in an ex- austible resourse and labor in a pub c service industry must submit to ertain notifications of their private ghts, receiving in return certain uarantees and privileges not accord to purely private business or per ons in private employ"
 Hard Coal situation. IA With anthracite coal problems. the 2 report dealt only briefly. Y earch would continue, it was said to the reasons which left the United tates. though rich beyond all other d ations in its wealth of coal re- ,urces" with "a national coal bin 10 often depleted" with prices N higher than seem warranted by the {: edith of coal available and with q sneral public concern and dissatis- N ction as to fuel supply. N There has been profteering in the 5f dustry in the sense that grossly eS- ~ 'bitant profits have been taken at M mes by many operators. brokers, and M tailers; profits that have been dis to the cost of the coal" & e report said in part But this y mmission has not yet obtained the H .ures specifically required by the I { in order to settle this question. A H orough examination of profits . already under way"
 Runaway Markets. Runaway markets" for coal in 20 and 1922, the commission con- ued. followed prolonged cessation mining operations due to disagree mt between employers and en- 'yes, but high prices also ruled m August, 1916, to March, 1918, H l for that period some other ex- natioin of the high prices and dis N ss must be found" H The responsibility Of settling dis 9 es." the report remarked as to the 1 sent labor situation. rests primar- \ upon the industry. The commis- e3 l therefore warned miners and op- ! tors alike that the country looks 10 M m to settle their own disputes and
 reach an amicable agreement ] an the present contract expires
 Industrial Relations. n the future, it was added, the I mission would go into causes the disruption of industrial rela- IS that has so frequently hampered
 conduct of the industry. and the ort set forth claims and counter T