Salt Lake Telegram | 1920-10-11 | Page 9 | Labor Opposes Coal Field Grab

LABOR OPPOSES GOAL COALFIELD FIELD GRAB Commission Objects to Immediate Immediate Immediate Im Im- mediate Socialization BERLIN Oct 11 The The by the government twenty-one twenty leaders of the Industrial labor abor world and economic experts has reported by a majority of one that It Is opposed to the immediate Immediate immediate Imme imme- diate seizure of the nations nation's coal fields The commission was divided Into two groups the smaller of which demanded the nationalization of the entire pr production production pro pro- and distribution of coal This group supports the findings of the first commission which has since been disbanded but whose majority recommended recommended recommended mended Immediate confiscation Eleven members of the newly organized organized organ organ- organ organ-I commission indorsed Walter Rath Rath- enaus proposal to give the state absolute absolute absolute lute control over every ounce of coal produced thus depriving the the operators operators opera opera- tors of any voice in determining g the method of disposing of their product or fixing its price The output of the mines would be taken over by an fin lin- coal council which would have authority to fix the prices and reimburse reimburse burse the operators j The commission was unanimous in favor of reaching far elimination of capitalistic gains from coal production tion The majority of the commission commission commission commis commis- sion was also convinced of the desirability desirability desirability de de- de- de of withdrawing the nations nation's coal assets from private ownership but buth It was divided v over e the method etho by which h h this Is to be achieved c reed j plan which was given a It small majority of support provides for the Indemnification of the operators operators operators opera opera- tors for the their plants payment payment payment pay pay- ment of Interest on Invested capital capita allowances for wear and tear and new equipment and fixed interest for ac actual actual actual ac- ac capital required for operating The commission also favored allowIng allowing allowing allow allow- ing workers fixed bonus premiums for increased production and social welfare welfare welfare wel wel- fare Institutions but also suggested penalties in the nature u of deductions for decreased output p due to the fault of the workers The majority group pointed out that if its recommendations were put into effect the operator would at once be deprived of the opportunity of juggling prices as he would no longer be able to market the coal himself The majority of the commission designated designated des des- the present plan provisional procedure which wil terminate terminate terminate nate in complete socialization not later than thirty years assuming that the ultimate confiscation is fully warranted warrant warrant- ed by the progress of economic devel devel-