AMERICAN COAL INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18763, 17 January 1923, Page 5

AMERICAN COAL INDUSTRY

OVER SUPPLIED WITH LABOUR. OWNERS PROFITEERING. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, January 15. The United States Goal Commission, which has been investigating the coal industry, in a preliminary report finds that labour troubles, transportation difficulties, over-development of the industry in the mines, and of man-power to a point where it is much larger than is necessary to supply the public demands are the primary causes of high prices and the coal shortage from which America has suffered in recent years. The Commission declares that there has been much profiteering on the part of operators, and warns miners and owners that they must settle their own disputes and roach an amicable agreement before the of the present contracts, and thus avert further strikes, which are threatened for April. The Commission issues a further warning that unless the industry reforms itself through the elimination of strikes and surplus miners, and the offering of steady employment to fewer men, federal regulation will be necessary.—A. and N.Z. Cable.