Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-10
REPORT OF cXL COMMISSION


Such Of the findings of the Federal
Coal Commission as have been made
public afford no unexpected revela-
lions, rather confirm popular impress
sions. Were one to read the report
from beginning to end he would find
nothing to assure him that an empty
coal bin would receive any special
favors this approaching winter. On
the contrary he might infer that we
are not much if any nearer a solu-
ton of the fuel problem than we
were before the commission began
its labors.
This Is by no means the fault of
the Commission. That distinguished
body should not be expected to
make bricks without straw. 1t has
been empowered to employ means
for collecting data. has spent eight
months in investigation and now
makes a partial report of its work,
which though incomplete contains
$1,000 words. declares the mines
should be continued under private
management, although anthracite Is
a natural monopoly, but would en-
power the Government to take over
and run the mines in time Of
emergency resulting in cessation Of
operations. It estimates that the
anthracite supply is about a third
exhausted, and that Of each dollar
the consumer pays, half goes to pay
for coal at the mine, a quarter for
freight and q quarter for the retailer;
$1.56 in 1913 has now advanced to
$412 per ton, that the average miner
gets for a family Of five an annual
income of from $500 to $4,000.
1t finds that the anthracite output
has not kept pace with the increase
in population; that Notwithstanding
the mines are now making a record
in production they are not being
operated to full capacity and VIII
not be until additional miners help
ers enter the industry. Improved
practices are urged and better in
spection of coal. Apparently favor
ing collective bargaining the Com
mission finds that this should be ac-
companied by collective keeping Of
the bargain, and Notwithstanding the
miners are making strenuous efforts
to have contracts in the anthracite
regions expire at the same time Of
year as do those in the bituminous
fields the Commission fatty opposes
such a method and recommends that
the contract shall provide under GER
tain conditions for its renewal:
features which it is wished to have
reviewed and IL these are not agreed
upon 60 days before the expiration
Of, the contract all facts at con-
troversy should be reported to the
President who should have investi-
cation made and facts made public
The report recommends that Con-
gress empower the President in
event of cessation of operations to
declare an emergency, take charge OF
the mines, fax wages and the COM
pensation to be paid the owner, sub
ject to review by courts, and to dis
tribute the product as he deems
just.
The Commission emphasizes re-
spect for and supply Of the necessi.
ties of the public in the way of fuel
but. as If expecting little from thii
urges people to endeavor to secure
substitutes for anthracite and Il
would insist on publicity permitting
mo secrets In the industry. Whethe
the operators have been securing ex
tortionate prices is not determined IL
the data now made public. This il
but a preliminary report, yet mucl
work seems to have been done on 1
and there Is confidence that the dat.
secured will prove valuable in deter
mining the rights Of future con
froverstea