Three Critical Dates

Evidence is accumulating to prove that the country is facing a more acute situation in the coal industry than the public realizes. It has been the general assumption that the coal problem could not possibly be worse than during the past year, but labor leaders and employers fear that the worst is yet to be.

There are three critical dates ahead. The first is July 1, when the National Coal Commission makes its report on anthracite wages and prices. The report will indicate whether the present terms of work in the anthracite fields ought to be renewed or not. A serious strike or lockout hangs on the Commission's findings.

The second date is August 31 when the agreement between the operators and the United Mine Workers in the anthracite regions terminates. If the Coal Commission has not damned either the operators or the union in its data (that is, if the responsibility for the coal problem seems to be about evenly distributed in the Commission's opinion) we will be faced with a capital and labor battle with both sides evenly matched. Neither side will be able to use the Commission's report as propaganda, and the issue will be decided by relative strength.

The third significant date is September 22, when the Coal (Fact Finding) Commission, created by Congress, goes out of existence. During its period of office the Commission has acted as a sort of chaperon for both workers and operators. Both sides have feared to be too unreasonable with the stern eye of the Commission over them. But what will happen when the chaperon goes home? That is a question which only the future will reveal.