Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-04-10
Gen. Goethals Sounds Warning
Which Should Be Needed.

In retiring from the position of
coal administrator of New York state
Gen. Goethals made some pointed re-
marks which editors generally ap-
prove as not only timely but war
ranted by the facts. They insist that
the lesson of the last twelve months.
characterized as GOALS worst year"
must be learned and that a similar
situation never again must be per-
mitted in this country.
Regardless of Goethals or any other
element in the case at the present mo-
ment. the Newark News sums up by
declaring, Goals worst year is dead
what shall be its epitaph?' and then
insisting the only benefit which can
result will be "only if, applying the
lessons 1t has taught, we make sure
that the nation shall never again face
such another. Gen. Goethals. retiring
as New York fuel administrator, says
we need close federal control He
probably voices a common conclusion.
Even so, methods and means are to
be found. But the main need is a
lively public demand, not to be lulled
into forgetfulness by the happy
warmth of summer. that the coal dis
ease of the nation be cured. If that
demand is strong enough, persistent
enough, determined enough, the coal
year that is dead may yet be worthy
of a monument-in commemoration
of its contribution to a better future"
The Goethals assault on the hard
coal barons of Pennsylvania is as
sailed by the Philadelphia Record,
which insists six of the nine corpora
tions dominating the anthracite in
dustry are controlled by New York
capital and argues Goethals could
and should have reached them under
New York law I'VE have troubles
enough of our own" the Record con-
tfnues, without having any unwar-
ranted impositions placed upon u.s."
which impelS the Springfield Repub-
lican to add that sit must have been
an exasperating season for the man
who built the Panama canal. But
Just how, under the circumstances. he
would have dictated to the coal
barons is not made clear. He would
have had the railroads to dea! with
after finishing the barons. If official
Washington lacked courage. it can at
least be said that it did not attempt
too much. The net result as of April
/ Is a good freeze, the winters ex-
perience, and federal commission
of investigation"
The general did one good thing,
though, as the Boston Globe sees his
utterances in that he does not mtnce
matters as to who is to blame. The
administrations lack of activity in
Goethals attributes to political cow
ardice. His comment on the mis-
handling of the fuel crisis will be
echoed approvingly wherever folks
who were lately shivering stoop to
pick the shale from their CRATES"
Added emphasis is laid to his charges
by the fact that "he is no politician"
adds the Utica Press He Is merely
one of the capable and practical men
the politicians summon when they
find themselves in a mess" Because
this Is the admitted fact 1t is the
opinion of the Boston Post that 1.-The
people have right to expect official
Washington to take notice of his
blunt charges There is nothing of
the mollycoddle in his statement.
Gen, GoethalS sees a head and hits
IT The Presidents coal commission
might find it most instructive to give
the general hearing. 1t may be un-
timely to PREJUDICE the expected re-