A Code of Industrial Law

Abstract

T HIS is an age of vexatious problems. Across the sea we behold a chaos of hatred and desperation-a situation calling loudly for solution, but apparently calling in vain.* In our own country there is a spirit of unrest, a suspicion of one another, an unfortunate greed, all coupled with hate and a general headhitting feeling throughout the land. In the West we have a pretty well defined sentiment that agriculture has not had a square deal. Present and prospective prices for agricultural products are, however, easing that situation. The people of the cities have come to a realization in the last two years that there can be no enduring prosperity for the nation if agriculture is paralyzed. While the question of raising foodstuffs for our people is the most practical question with which the nation is concerned, yet the question with which you are dealing here is nearly as important. Outside of truck or oil transportation, foodstuffs and the instrumentalities to produce them cannot be transported save by the use of coal. In our northern climates where there is a scarcity of wood people cannot exist without coal. Business cannot carry on its activities without it, and there is probably no question today that is more immediately vital than that of supply and cost of coal. The continual rise of prices, the constant recurrence of strikes, is a tax on all industry, and a very severe tax on the people's patience. The almost annual strikes and long discussions incident thereto, with a mere temporary adjustment at the end, have not tended to produce a feeling of stability among the people, or confidence in their ability to secure an adequate supply of coal at reasonable prices. Anthracite coal has become a luxury.