Evening star., 1950-03-04
Truman Coal MESSAGE Text

sumed at once. in order to prevent
human suffering and disastrous
economic dislocation. Since the
union and the operators have
failed to resume production, and
since recourse to the courts has so
far proved ineffective, it IS now
my plain duty to propose further
action. Therefore, I recommend
that the Congress enact legislation
authorizing the Government to
take over the coal mines and op-
crate them temporarily as a pub
lie service.
Expresses Settlement Hope.
The parties are continuing their
negotiations. and earnestly hope
that they will reach agreement
before it actually becomes neces-
sary for the Government to take
possession of the mines. But we
can wait no longer to prepare
ourselves with the necessary legis-
lative authority.
am submitting at this time a
draft of legislation to accomplish
this purpose. I earnestly request
that the Congress consider this
proposal and enact the needed
legislation as quickly as possible.
In requesting this legislation, it
is my purpose and intention to
restore the production of badly
needed coal. During the period of
Government possession Of the
mines, the. owners should receive
fair and just compensation for the
use of their property, and the
miners should receive fair and
just compensation for their work.
The proposed legislation would
authorize the establishment of
impartial boards to make recon-
lnendations concerning fair and
just compensation for the use of
the property of the mine owners
and for the work of the mine
employees.
am not requesting this legisla-
ton as a means of settling the
issues in dispute between the op-
orators and the union. They will
have to settle their differences
through their own collective bar
gaining. just as though Govern
ment operation were not in effect.
I do not propose to substitute the
Governments representatives for
the private operators at the bar
gaining table. 1t will not be our
purpose to establish wages, hours
or working conditions which would
bind either the operators or the
miners upon resumption of pri-
vate operations. When the coun-
try can be assured of sufficient
supplies of coal, the Government
will have no need to continue pub
lie operation and the mines will
be promptly returned to private
hands.
Bill Would Be General.
have stressed these essential
elements in the plan Tor Govern
ment operation, so that. there will
be no misunderstanding of the
legislation I am recommending.
The draft bill which I propose for
consideration is necessarily quite
general, so that the Government
may adapt the details of its op-
erations to changing circum-
stances. But while the legisla-
tive language can. be framed
in general terms, there should
be no mistaking the contemplated
relationships of the Government
with the operators and the miners
during the period of public opera
ton.
r There are other issues in this
emergency than the Nations urg-
ent need for COAL The crisis
raises vital questions for the fu-
ture Of the coal industry.
We have arrived at the present
impasse because both the opera
tors and the union have failed,
month after month, to make the
efforts in genuine bargaining
which could result in a mutually
satisfactory settlement. They
have been unwilling or unable to
lay aside their charges and coun-
terchargeS, moderate their fixed
positions and undertake serious
negotiations in spirit of accom-
mediation and mutual understand
ing.
They have been unwilling or
unable to do so despite the coun-
try's desperate need. despite the
growing distress of the idle miners
and their families and the eco
nomic losses incurred by idle IA
cilitieS, despite the competitive
advantage. which their long dis
pute is giving to other fuels.
| Fortunately this dangerous
breakdown in the normal course
Of labor-management relations
does not characterize most indus
tries in this country. On the con-
trary, collective bargaining has
generally produced sustained pro-
duction and mutual benefits, with
out these serious consequences for
the public and this need for ex-
treme governmental action.
Cites Industry Failure.
But the coal industry has failed
signally to solve its own problems
in the field of labor-management
relations. The current failure is
only the latest of a series which
stretches back over many years,
recurring with disheartening reg
ularity. We can only assume that
If this industry continues as it
has been going.. we shall be faced
repeatedly with situations OF this
kind. We shall be forced every so
often into governmental action of
one kind or another--action which
cannot solve the underlying prob
lens or remedy the failures of the
Il