Evening star., 1923-07-09

CONTINUED from First Page.)
how the investment Is to be deter
mined. Throughout the report 1t in
sists upon full and continuous pub
licity through some governmental au-
thority with power to require finan-
cial reports, to prescribe uniform
methods of cost accounting, and to
determine the conditions under which
the coal may be shipped in interstate
commerce. An extensive study was
made of the living conditions of the
miners families. and the wages,
earnings and labor conditions of the
mine workers form a large part of
It's report. Earnings are not stated
by averages. but by classes. the
amount earned by these classes. and
the days worked to earn the same. OF
those who avail themselves of the
opportunity to work the year round,
the income for family of five ranges
in general from $1,000 to $4,000. Some
exceed this; many fall below 1t.
The anthracite output has not kept
up with the increase in population,
nor, unless additional miners help
ers enter the industry, is there hope
of increasing the output. The mines
are now making a record In the way
or production, but even yet are not
using the mine and breaker to full
double shifts in the low-cost mines
would help to relieve the situation.
Improved practices in the use of an
thracite are urged. and recommends
tions made to reduce the number of
market sizes. for better inspection of
coal so as to guarantee quality, and
the larger use of substitutes. The
consumer can create demand for
substitutes that will serve az one
form of insurance against unjust
combinations of either labor or capi-
tai and the consequent rising prices.
Prepare for Strikes.
ut finds the legal right to exist
of man to work as he pleases. 1t
finds also the right Of collective
bargaining. but observes that in ac-
tual practice that neither of these
rights Is left unobstructed. 1t dis
tinguishes between economic and po-
litical rights and holds that under
the guise of fixing wages and work
ing conditions campaign to ad-
vance a political theory should not
be waged. 1t insists that collective
bargaining implies collective keep
ing of the bargain. and suggests
penalties for the breach thereof in
any new agreement entered into 1t
offers number OF suggestions look
ing towards bringing the operator
and miner together in a more friend
ly spirit. and for the speedier adjust
ments of differences than now exists.
1T recommends that the anthracite
contract shall not expire at the same
time the bituminous one does. and
that the contract shall provide for
Its renewal except as to any sub
jects which either side may desire to
review and of which notice is given
80 days before the expiration of the
contract. If they have not agreed
so days before such expiration. they
shall report all the facts in contro-
versy to the President of the United
States who shall appoint one or more
persons to investigate the contro-
verted facts and make a public re-
of the contract.
1T also recommends that Congress
shall give the President authority.
In the event of the cessation of oper
charge of the mines. fix wages and
the compensation to be paid the
owner, subject to review by the
courts. and to distribute the product
as he deems wise and just"
Views Definite.
The report of the commission is
of the commission as to ownership or
regulation.
''The commission does not recon-
mend the abolition of existing prop
erty rights. however much might be
said for the view that mineral de-
posits should have been held from the
beginning as national rather than in
dividual," the report states.
The commission does not recon-
mend government ownership either
by purchase at present value or by
appropriation. 1t does, however, hold
the view that a limited natural mo-
nopoly like anthracite. held by a
relatively small number of individu-
ais, estates and companies, and sup
plying a necessity of life for millions
of our people, cannot continue to be
treated as IL 1t were not affected by
a public interest.
Public Necessity.
"Coal is quite as much a public
necessity as gas. street railway serv-
Ice, or any other service or COM
modify that has been brought under
public regulation. There should be
no secrets from the public in regard
to mining costs, profits, salaries.
wages, or corporate relations. Banks
and insurance companies are pri-
vately managed because We find by
experience that they can be managed