Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-07
STABILIZED LABOR
. CONDITIONS URGED
RNeW Deal" in Coal Industry
+! Suggested by Trade
Paper.
@pecial Dispatch to The Star.

"a -
NEW YORK. September IA new
Zeal in its relations with labor and
s modification of the Sherman law to
eegalize joint production and price con-
krol are two measures essential to the
F Rehabilitation of the bituminouS coal
industry according to Coal Age. Offer
d ing to operators this week suggested
Qualification plan. the publication warns
chat the law of the jungle is endanger-
h ing the existence of companies whose
Survival is necessary for the continu-
hnce of bituminouS production.
Unstable labor conditions. too many
mines, too many companies and de-
Ginning market for coal as a raw fuel
are four hazards cited as actually
threatening the existence of the in
6ustry. Other economic burdens listed
pre- weak marketing policies and
methods and lack of research to de-
kelop new uses for bituminous coal.
Establishment of a research program
kntailing the expenditure Of 100000
annually for the discovery of new coal
processes and products and the forma-
ton of a Coal Development and Re
search Corporation to capitalize on re-
search discoveries is urged in the Coal
Age plan. Financing of the project
would be effected through cooperation
ID OPEL dlOlS WALL dIIIludI pIOuuSIAOl Va
300 900 900 tons on an assessment basis
OF cent a ton. ALLEGATION OF the re-
search fund would provide 20 per cent
for laboratory research and the balance
Cor commercial exploitation of new pro-
keSSes and products.
Labor Problem.
Sterilization of the industry without
he interposition of some outside agency
Representing the workers presents almost
ISnsuperable obstacles, the publication
points out, adding:
Inherited prejudices in some fields
hnd bitter personal experiences in others
have made the idea of a revival OF
hnionisnl obnoxious to many employers.
Nevertheless, unless some new formula
can be found, the conclusion seems in
evitable that the desired Sterilization
OF wages and of working conditions
must come through a recognition and
an acceptance of an outside labor
organization by sufficiently large per-
centage.- of the operators to give the
wages and the working conditions 80
established controlling influence in the
districts where direct recognition is
withheld
Whether this labor organization shall
be the United Mine Workers of America
or some new group equally independent
of employer control rests largely with
the existing union. 1t is faced with
the task of convincing doubling opera
tors that it has abandoned the policies
and practices which have made 1t highly
Objectionable to many producers and
that it now has the vision and the
Judgment which will promise effective
leadership. There must be a genuine
partnership between capital and labor
If the goal of stabilized relations Is to
be reached"
Production Control.
In urging changes in the Sherman
Jaw which would help the bituminous
Coal Age says:
During the past 10 years, consump-
ton Of bituminous coal. exclusive of
colliery fuel within the United States
has fuctuated between 382, 726 900 and
526 600 net tons. So long as con-
sun1erS will net or cannot make long
term commitments for fuel, the bitumi-
nous coal industry must carry idle ca
pacity to take care of peak loads. The
need for production control within the
industry, therefore, is recognized as i'm
peratiVe.
Modification Of the Sherman law to
permit joint agreements among opera
tors on production policies and on prices
offers the most direct route to the at
tainment of this control Modification
which imposed burdensome restrictions
as the price of this relief, however,
could be as destructive as the ills which
the change in the statute was intended
TO cure. There are too many dangers
inherent in the proposal, frequently
made, to set up an independent Gov
eminent commission empowered TO pass
in advance upon the legality of sug
gested concerted actions 10 make that
solution acceptable. The bituminous
coal industry should insist:
That the statute be specifically
amended to legaliZe agreements on pro-
tion-control policies without the
creation Of an independent Government
bureau, and that, where the Depart
nlent Of Justice has reason to believe
that agreements SO made violate the
laT as amended. civil suits be instituted,
as under the present statute"