Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 197, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1918 — Peace and Tranquillity Now Prevails Between Mine Owners and Employees [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Peace and Tranquillity Now Prevails Between Mine Owners and Employees

By JOHN P. WHITE.

Former President United Mine Worker* of America

At no time in the history of the coal mining industry has there been such peace and tranquillity as now prevails between employers and employees. There are 700,000 men employed in and around the coal mines of this country. If they could be kept steadily employed the year around we would hear very little complaint about coal famine. But this seems to be a physical impossibility and we must deal with the situation as it presents itself. s, During last winter’s severe fuel shortage the miners in many localities in this country worked on

holidays and Sundays in order to relieve the situation. If an adequate car supply can be regularly maintained in the principal coal-producing districts of the country by the railroads, there will be no need for alarm about shortage of fuel, because we have an abundance of coal and a great army of the best coal miners in the world. The individual output of the American miner is more than that of the coal miner of any other country. "We have some of the best coal deposits in the world and the physical conditions are adapted for large production. Our mines are modem and .r well equipped and capable of producing enormous tonnage. If the operators, the miners and the railroads co-operate, an abundance of coal for all needs, domestic and otherwise, will be supplied. My knowledge of the miner leads me to believe that he is willing and anxious to enter upon team work in this matter with his employer, the government and all concerned, if given the proper opportunity; and it is only by this method that maximum results can be obtained. The miner has always been a man who loved his independence, and he can be relied upon to contribute his full effort when approached in the proper spirit. In other words, he will co-operate, but cannot be driven. It is in this spirit of co-operation the success of the mining industry, as well as of all other industries, lies. Therefore the coal operator who desires to obtain the best results from his men should approach them in this spirit and the response will be wonderful. Controversies which in the past have been instrumental in promoting friction and increasing labor troubles, and which often resulted in strikes or lockouts, will become things of the past.