Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1950-03-05

jA1V1lO, 111AAllO1lo VI AlklCl lIdllS al d13A
Sc the miners and operators are
it demanded before these proper
ties were returned to private
operation.
The Truman Fair Dealers are
strongly opposed. as has been the
President, to strengthening the,
Taft Hartley labor law. They re-
sist strongly-up to the present,
any suggestion that industry wide
bargaining be prohibited, and also
that the antitrust laws be made
to cover labor unions.
Obviously, however, unless the
country is to be thrown into Pc
RODS of great crisis and distress,
something must be done. The
naturalization of the coal mines
If it happened-would be great
step toward state socialism. Other
succeeding steps might easily DO
forced. The seizure and nation
alization of the railroads, of power
and light, and of all kinds of pub
lie utilities and services, and final
ly of foods, are among them. The
sentiment in Congress so far Is
strongly opposed to any such So
luton of the coal strike problem.
Resolutions Similar ..
Ardent administration supports
ers in both the House and Senate
have introduced similar resolu-
tons calling for the creation Of
a bipartisan coal commission, to.
go into every phase of the prob
lem. A liberal Republican, Sem
ator Morse of Oregon. Joined with
the administration Senators spon-
soring the Senate resolution. The
resolution was introduced by SEN
ator Humphreys, Democrat. of
Minnesota. In addition to Senator
Morse. Senators Lehman of New
York and Douglas of Illinois, both
Fair Dealers, joined with Mr..
Humphrey in sponsoring the pro-
posed inquiry. Representative An
drew ]. Biemiller, Democrat, Of
Wisconsin introduced the resolu-
ton in the House.
President Truman, in his coal
message to Congress. also has pro-
posed study by similarly or
gained commission.
All of these gentlemen joined
in saying that the coal industry
today is a sick industry" diseased
and disabled beyond any one
symptom such as the current labor
management dispute. All Of
which has its implications-to-
ward possible Government owner
ship and operation. Mr.. Biemiller
exclaims:
What are we to do about an
industry which is gradually be-
coming uneconomic and yet Is
vital to the Nations welfare?
What are we to do about the
chronological results of the sub
stitution of other types Of fuel
for coal?"
Not Starvation Wages
The fact remains, however, that
the industry has operated and
can continue to operate If the
grip of a single national union.
which has found itself able to die
tate to the vast majority Of coal
miners, can be eased from its
throat. Where there is work to
be done, men can be found to do
tiff they are permitted. Coal
miners deserve to be well paid.
They are engaged in a hazardous
and tough occupation. But the
old mine wage is $14.04 day and
the operators have in addition
been paying into the miners well
fare fund 20 cents on each ton Of
coal mined. These are not starv-
ing wages. They have resulted in
increased prices for coal to con-
sumers. John L.. Lewis has been
demanding an estimated $40 q
day per miner-part in increased
wages and part in increased con-
tributions to the welfare fund.
Some members of Congress urge
that one course which the Govern
ment. Federal and State, could
pursue, is to send armed forces to
the coal fields to protect men who
are willing to mine the coal-in
case Of such work stoppages. -
The coal commission proposed
by Senator Humphrey and Repre-
sentative Biemiller would be COM
posed of 10 members, six to be
appointed by the President, six
by the Vice President and six by
the Speaker of the House. Three
Of those appointed by the Presi-
dent would be the chairman of
the Council Of Economic Advisers,
the Secretary of the Interior and
the Secretary of Labor. Three
Senators and three House mem
bers are to be appointed. respec-
lively, by the Vice President and
Speaker of the House.
Six Months to Report
The commission must report
within six months Of its appoint
ment to the President and to Con-
gress and will cease to exist 80
days after the submission Of its
report. A sum of $250.000 is au-
thorized, by the resolution, for the
use of the commission.
Whether the Taft-Hartley law,
as it stands, is capable of dealing
with controversies in the coal in