The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-12-07

iclean. must be prompt and effective.
and it must be administered in a
spirit Of the broadest and deepest
human sympathy. II investigation
minlstration q I need Of iesisIati lon
orders will be given for the imme-
ulate correction OF administration,
"a recommendations for legislation
should be given the highest prefer
ience.
| At present there are $500 vacant
beds In government hospitals, / rec
commend that ell hospitals be au-
Ithortzed at once to receive and care
for, without hospital pay, the vet
Grams OF all wars needing such care,
1 whenever there are vacant beds, and
that immediate steps be taken to
enlarge and build new hospitals to
i serve all such cases.
The American legion will present
gram too extensive for detailed dis
cussion here. It IL q carefully ma
tured plan. While some of 1t do
not favor, with much OF Il ! am in
hearty accord, and I recommend that
o most painstaking effort be made
10 provide remedies for any defects
| In the administration Of the present
laws which their experience has re-
vaaled. The attitude Of the govern:
ment toward these proposals should
be one OF generosity. But ! do not
favor the granting OF bonus.
/ Coal and the Price
| The cost Of coal has become ur /.
bearably high. It places q great
burden on our Industrial and do
| ,,,askik ltfa nSha y1rhlin xualRa % "a
ouired a reduction in the price Of
fuel. With the enormous deposits
In existence, failure Of supply ought
not I'd be tolerated. Those respon-
sible for the conditions In this in
| dusttyE should undertake its reform
and fee it from any charge OF pro-
aThb report Of the coal commits
sion will be before the congress. It
comprises all the facts. It repre-
sents 1.-THE mature deliberations and
conclusions OF the best talent and
experience that ever made a national
survey OF the production and dis
tribution of fuel do not favor
IL coal mines. The need Is for ac-
ion under private ownership that
win secure greater continuity OF
PRODUCTION and greater public pro-
lection. The federal government
irobAbly has no peace-time authority
Id regulate wages, prices, or pro-
Its In coal at the mines or among
Lealers, but by ascertaining and
publishing facts It can exercise great
influence.
AThe source Of the difficulty in the
llituminous coal fields is the inter
| aittence Of operation which causes
great waste of both capital and
labor. That part Of the report deal
| ing with ], this problem has much
significance, and is suggestive Of
the car rules, by encouraging greater
urity OF ownership, and possibly by
Permitting common selling agents
limited districts on condition that
they accept adequate regulations and
guarantee that competition between
districts be unlimited, distribution,
lstorage, and continuity ought to be
improved.
"The supply OF coal must be con
SAINT. In the case OF its prospective
Interruption, the president should
have authority to appoint q commits
sion empowered to deal with what
ever emergency situation might
,,aftse. 70 aid conciiiation and volun
| tary arbitration, to adjust any exist
ing or threatened controversy be-
tween the employer and the EN-.
ployee- when collective bargaining
fails, and bye controlling distribute.
TO prevent profiteering in this vital
necessity. This legislation is exceed
ingly urgent, and essential to the ex
ercise Of national authority for the
protection of the people Those who
undertake the responsibility of man
agement or employment in this in
Gustry do SO with the full knowleds
that the public interest Is paramount
and that to fail through any motive
OF selfishness in its service is such
a betrayal OF duty as warrants un-
compromising action by the Govern
ment.
"a special Joint committee has
been appointed to work out a plan
for a reorganization of the different
departments and bureaus Of the
Government more scientific and
economical than the present sys-
TEN. With the exception Of the con :
solidation OF the war and navy de-
partments and some minor details,
the plan has the general sanction of
the president and the cabinet. It ia
important that reorganization be
enacted into law at the present ses-
sion.
Regarding Agriculture
aided by the sound principles
adopted by the government the
business of the country has had an
extraordinary revival Looked at as
a whole. the nation Is in the enjoy
ment OF remarkable prosperity. In
ldustry and commerce are thriving.
For the most part agriculture is
successful, eleven staples having
risen in value from about $780,
000, 900 two years ago to about ST.
000, 100000 for the current year.
But range cattle are still low in price
and some sections OF the wheat
area, notably Minnesota, North Da-
kota, and on west, have many cases
Of actual distress. With his pro-
ducts not selling on parity with
the products of industry, every
sound remedy that can be advised
should be applied for the relief of
the FARMER. He represents a char
acter, type of citizenship, and a
public necessity that must be pre-
served and afforded every facility
for regaining prosperity.
"The distress is most acute among
those wholly dependent upon one
crop. Wheat acreage was greatly
expended and has not yet been sui :
fciently reduced. A large amount
is raised for export, which has to
meet the competition In the world
market Of large amounts raised on
land much cheaper and much more
productive.
I. mo complicated scheme of relief.
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