Coal and Coöperation
COAL AND COOPERATION HILE a strike in the anthracite regions is almost a dead certainty and a shut-down in the bituminous fields is probable, the American citizen who looks forward to banking...
...And the Borah bill, which aims to establish government regulation of interstate and foreign commerce in anthracite, is open to many serious objections, although some real value may lie in its provisions for publicity concerning coal...
...All of us see that nobody will benefit from the strike...
...The department believes that everybody would profit by an adoption of the Baltimore and Ohio plan...
...Present difficulties unfortunately cannot be termed abnormal...
...Their income would be higher by reason of their share in the money saved...
...The hour of crisis teaches us that the future must bring with it a steady and enlightened effort to introduce the principle of cooperation into an industry whose jolts unsettle business and private living...
...In return, they could well afford to give the union the check-off because of its responsibility in the better management of coal...
...There is little to choose between the contending parties...
...The miners want a raise and recognition of their union...
...Unfortunately, neither the public nor the parties concerned have meditated sufficiently upon the plan suggested to make its acceptance likely at the present moment...
...They would share in the savings from efficiency...
...Mellon's immediate success in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh...
...Undoubtedly this plan has been notably successful within the limits marked out for it in the conduct of the great railroad, and has received more attention from thoughtful economists than from the general public...
...The consumers would benefit by steadier production, and the effect of this upon prices...
...It would be of benefit to the companies, the men, and the consumers," says the department, "if the operators and unions agreed to the Baltimore and Ohio plan of cooperative management by executives and men, and cooperative division of the money saved...
...they are merely fresh quakes in an area where tremors are more frequent than in any other industry...
...They could expect a better spirit in the industry...
...In return, they could well give up for the present their wage demand...
...A different way out is suggested by the Social Action Department of the National Catholic Welfare Conference...
...The men would rise above the status of wage hands to the dignity of semi-partnership...
...COAL AND COOPERATION HILE a strike in the anthracite regions is almost a dead certainty and a shut-down in the bituminous fields is probable, the American citizen who looks forward to banking his winter fires may well shake his head in perplexity...
...Two ways out have been suggested, neither of which is at all acceptable...
...They would have close cooperation from the men...
...Non-union mines cannot, and should not, be operated on a grand scale, regardless of what may be Mr...
...The operators would gain...
...the operators wish to realize a fair profit on holdings which are not very lucrative even in times of peace...
...They would have a new responsibility...
Vol. 2 • September 1925 • No. 17
