The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-08
Government Mines?

Is the political battle cry mo government in bust
ness which resounded loudly when our industries
were riding the crest of prosperity, becoming obso
leteP
Some of the rugged individualists' who COM
planned the loudest against anything savoring of
government regulation of business to protect the
and the workers now are appealing to the
government to help them out of their difficulties,
brought on by depression, greed and bad manage
ment.
The latest to turn to an already harassed govern
ment is the btuminous coal industry, according to
reports from Pittsburgh. Some of the biggest coal
operators in the world ready to confess that
the industry is not able to manage its own affairs,
and to solicit government regulation of the mines
public utility. A few years ago such suggestion
would have been the rankest sort of heresy
The coal industry is demoralized, and conditions
have been getting rather than better. Cut
throat competition anti-labor prices, overproducton,
use Of coal substitutes and other factors have
bined to wipe out dividends and thrown army of
miners out Of work
Conditions among miners. who have been denied
civil liberties and reduced to starvation level are
a national disgrace and menace
1t has seemed probable for some time that govern
n1ent intervention of some sort finally would be nee
essary to end this chaos in a basic and essential
industry We must have coal, and, after all,
idle through no fault Of their not be per-
mitted to Starve.
The problem is exceedingly difficult, as witnessed
by the inability of the best brains among business
leaders to solve it. There are certain essentials, how
ever that admit of little argument. Miners required
to supply the nation with the coal needs must be
guaranteed civil rights, paid decent wages and given
continuous employment. Provision must be made for
those miners whose work is not needed. They must
be absorbed by other industries or otherwise enabled
to earn living.
AS for the governments taking over the coal mines
this would involve the purchase of coal lands and
the operation of such mines as are needed as some
operators now suggest This eventually may become
necessary as a last resort But if the coal barons
think that having made a failure of the business,
they can dump the the governments door
step and walk of with the publics dollars jingling
in their pockets they mistaken.
Having been permitted to exploit a natural re-
source without hindrance for generations and having
broughc the industry to ruin, they not now wash
neir hands Of their troubles by saying to Uncle SAM
'"Ssd do it, after paying me off,"
They have a very definite responsibility which
they shoulder in fairness to the public and to
other industries. such lumber and OIL which are
seekiag ana have much cause to seek, the help
of the government.
Congress will be called upon to consider this among
the many problems with which it will be confronted
in December.
Meantime it is we'll to remember that thousands Of
striking miners literally the verge of starvation
and that whatever done for the future will not help
the struggle through the coming winter.