U.S. COAL INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18300, 17 January 1923, Page 9

U.S. COAL INDUSTRY.

SCATHING INDICTMENT.

RADICAL REFORMS NEEDED. A. and N.Z. WASHINGTON, Jan* 15.

The United Stales Coal Commission, which has been investigating affairs in the coal industry, has just made a preliminary report, in which it states that labour troubles, transport difficulties, over-development of the industry both in mines and man-power to a. point where it is much larger than is necessary to supply the public demands if its operations were continuous, arc the primary causes of the high prices and tho coal. shortage from which the United States lias suffered in recent years.

The commission declares that there has been much profiteering o;u the part of operators. It warns the miners and the owners that- they must settle their own disputes and reach an amicable settlement before the expiration of the present contracts and thus avert further strikes that have been threatened for April next. Tho commvaion issues a further warning to the effect that unless the industry reforms itself through the elimination of strikes .arid surplus miners and the offering of steady' employment to fewer men, it v/ili he necessary for the Federal Government to regulate matters.