Evening star., 1923-03-04
bone coal and slate. The following
results were given by the bureau IN
its report:
Might Fix Coal Prices.

There is no doubt that this matter
of pure coal is going to be agitated
strongly and that every effort will
legislation. How the other factors
in the coal situation are going to be
tackled through legislation still re-
mains to be seen. Some senators are
Of the opinion-and they are not radi
cals-that eventually coal prices will
be fixed by the government, and some
even go SO far as to say that eventu-
ally government operation of the coal
mines is going to be the solution OF
the troubles.
The fact that the next session OF
Congress Will be followed by a ma
tional election brings the element OF
politics into the situation. If the ad-
ministration wishes to be popular
there seems little doubt that it Will
set behind efforts of Congress TO
see that the people have plenty OF
good coal at reasonable rates. In
fact. it may be expected that the ad-
ministration will take the lead i'll
this matter There is no doubt, it is
said here, that the administration has
been seriously criticized, particularly
in New England and other northern
states, where the coal shortage has
been felt particularly, because of the
shortage.
Doing Thorough Job.
The United States Coal Commission,
headed by John Hays Hammond,
doing a very thorough job in its in
vestigation. In January it submitted
its first report to Congress. discuss
ing the situa tion. but without recon-
mendiny legislation. Congress has
now provided the commission with
100000 more to carry on It's invest-
cation. The commission called at
tention to tho vastness Of the sub
ject in its first report, estimating
that the capital invested is $780,
600. 900. Of which s43o.0oo.0Oo is in
vested in the anthracite region, the
remainder being invested in the
bituminous fields. Furthermore, the
coal industry. in point of numbers
employed in any single industry, the
report pointed out. stands next TO
transportation and agriculture.
The United States has rich coal de
posits, greater than those of any
other country, yet Notwithstanding
this fact there have been frequent
coal shortages that have caused SUI
fering. 1t seems Incredible that this
condition may not be remedled, no
matter what the conditions that now
surround the industry. There is coal
here and it should be possible to get
it to the consumers. More than once
the charge has been made that the
industry has been manipulated SO as
70 add to the list of millionalreS in
this country rather than to care for
the needs of the public. with far
and just return to the capital IN
vested.
Public Pays for Quarrels.
The controversies between the coal
operators and miners have been fruit
fuI sources Of coal shortages and
subsequent Increased prices OF coal.
One Of tho great features Of the work
Of the present coal commission is to
bring out tho facts which Will Dc
of benefit in reaching wage agree
ments. Largely through the EFFORTS
of the commission the operators ana
the miners in the bituminous held
have been prevailed upon to rene"
their existing agreement until the
spring of 1924, when the facts found
nv the commission will be at hand 10
he used in reaching further agree
ments.
In the anthracite field the wage
agreements expire in August OF TINS
wear. The coal commission il TO
make a report on the anthracite IN
dustry July 1, with the idea that 1t
will be used in a new wage agree
ment between the anthracite opera
tore and miners.