Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-03
No Coal Reace.

Coliapse of the third conference be-
tween the hard coal operators and
mine union leaders leaves the situa-
ton in apparently hopeless deadlock,
so far as the resumption OF operations
by union labor Is concerned. 1t is
already minated that the operators
will undertake to reopen the mines
with non-union labor. in which case
strife will almost surely occur in the
anthracite region.
Explanations Of the break in the
conference have come from both sides,
as usual. The miners chief asserts
that the negotiations failed because
the operators insisted upon an arbi-
tration that would result in a reduc-
ton of wages. The operators declare
that the conference failed because the
union leaders refused all proposals
looking to adjustment of wages by an
impartial tribunal.
Evidently Lewis, speaking for the
union, apprehends that arbitration
would result in a reduction of wages.
He says, with what warrant cannot
be determined in the absence Ct dis
tinct disclosure of all the specific pro
posals, that the operators would not
agree to a return of the men TO work
save upon the basis of a lowered
wage scale. on the other hand, the
operators assert that the whole ques-
ton of wages would be lett TO arbi-
tration. with an eminent person. Mr..
Hughes having been suggested. as
final umpire.
Sifted down, it would appear that
the breaking point occurs upon the
demand of the miners that the wage
adjustment must be upward, while
the operators ask that it may be either
upward or downward, as the concilIa-
tors or arbitrators may determine
Resumption OF mining by non-union
labor would almost surely lead to
violence. In the past every attempt
on the part of the operators TO work
the mines on that basis has caused
bloodshed. The State law requires
J
mined. by certified workers. The non
certified workers can only remove the
coal after it is cut. If operations are
resumed. they cannot pro ceed unless
q sufficient number of certified miners
break ranks and leave the union. II
would not call for all of those who
hold certificates 10 produce enough
coal to supply the market, for each
certified miner, in normal conditions
knocks down his allotted quantity
Of fuel within 4 very short period
each day. AS a matter of tact, one
half of the usual number % certified
miners could, by working over the
ordinary hours, produc" enough Goa!
TO supply the normal market
But it is doubtful whet nec any con.
siderable number II the certified
miners could IA" persuaded t. "scab."
These men are "a. u rule the most
determined union workers They dom
mate the locals through their influ-
ence as virtual ilirers OF the laboi-zr
gangs The strength 81 the strike
lies in their union loyI,y
An attempt 10 reopen the mines
with non-union labor would probably
prove disastrous. Intervention then
would lead TO nothing rnore than The
reclosing of til" mine. unless a Fed
eral law We're enacted putting tie
anthracile Industry IN the C.ass of
public utilities ana authorizing opera
ton under the direction OF the Gov.
eminent. Considerirg the length Of
time required for such a drastic meas
ure to become law, it is evident
that there will probably be 10 more
hard coal mining this Winter. and the
public miaht as we'll settle back 70
the conclusion that it will have t.
use substitutes for the remainder Of
the season.