Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-16
Tuesday, February IS, 1926.
"When the Sun
Clearest shineth
Serenest in the heaven,
Quickly are obseured
All over the earth
Other stars."-king Alfred.
SUGGESTED BY THE SETTLE
MENT

Looks to me as though both of 'em
got a darned good licking" remarked
a prominent man within hearing OF
the writer. The settlement Of the
coal strike and the advantage, If any,
won by either the miners or the
operators was the subject under dis
cussion.
1t might well be added that those
who attempted to inject politics into
the situation were also trounced'
soundly, too. But they are shrewd
enough to take advantage of the pub
lies weakness, its indifference and
forgetfulness respecting such matters
They expect to fool that public just
the same.
We note that one Meyer Jacobstein,
Democratic Congressman. told an au-
dience in Rochester, n. Y. Saturday,
that President Cooligde could have
prevented the strike and that the
settlement of it was due to the pres
sure on the administration. We hope
Jacobstein's hearers had sense OF
humor. Anyhow they needed it.
Whether Jacobstein himself had it
doesn't matter. 1t could not save
him from appearing ridiculous.
If the public will refresh itself
with thought for a moment II will re-
call that long ago the President
called upon this Congress of which
Mr.. Jacobstein is a member, to dc
something with the suggestions made
by a commission after exhaustive
examination of the anthracite sit
uation. Where was Jacobstein on
that?
No, the President saw from the
first that no good could come from
Government interference under such
powers as the executive possesses;
that the anthracite consumers would
have to pay for any such interior
ence in increased cost Of coal. Reso-
lutely he adhered to it. Undoubtedly
tremendous pressure was brought &c
bear. Senator Copeland of New
York threatened to press his resolu-
ton calling for executive interference
delay of the important tax measure
TO which taxpayers are looking for
relief. Certain of the Democratic
leaders--not all of them-were out tC
1,to ;41I !, ~
available eXpediency. The President
told his friends to let the resolution
go through and not to be left to in.
terfere with the tax bill.
r. f. Grant, practical business man
accredited by moth miners and opera
tors with having had more to do with
bringing about the final settlement
than anyone else, calls attention 'tc
the great common sense and wisdom
Of President Coolidge" adding: 1T Is
my firm conviction that II he hac
yielded to the great pressure upor
him and had tried to intervene this
contract would not be signed today
Where may be found better or more
disinterested authority?
We agree-and we believe the great
majority of intelligent people will
agree-with Mr.. Grant that That
American people are entitled to know
this solemn conviction of mine ant
to honor this great President of ours
who has shortened the strike by his
wisdom" His warning against those
"who would capitalize the distress Of
our people for personal reasons
should be remembered. And this in.
cludes the Meyer Jacobsteins.
We should not forget the practica
coal users with the best methods fol
using soft coal; we should not FORGE
that many suffered Inconvenience
patiently on this account, though re.
warded with less fuel costs and the
knowledge that they are not depend.
Bnt upon an arrogant monopoly that
mas been accustomed to make use OF
demagogues in politics to aid them In
sxtortion. Neither should we forget
the lesson learned that certain grades
Of bitnuinous coal are excellent sub.
stitutes for anthracite and much
cheaper,
Those who have been supplying us
with that variety Of fuel should not
now be dropped. We need their com.
petition with the anthracite monopoly
The monopoly has foozled but one
failure Is not likely to discourage II
for long. It has lost considerable
business but hopes to win 1t back
Although Congress is now planning
to do what it should have done q
year ago with regard to the Coal
Commissions recommendations It will
not do to depend upon the Govern
ment to and and apply q cure-all
That's very expensive delusion
Learn to depend upon ourselves and
sec to it that we have a President
VINO will permit US to do so.
In Peoria, In Peoria, there are some