NEWS OF THE WEEK
THE coal crisis took a new turn on Tuesday in the House of Commons. The immediate result of the debate•was greatly increased gloom, but we think that this was accidentally caused. It is easy for the House of Commons to enter upon a mood which bears little real relation to the facts. The Government's decision to introduce legislation in advance of agreement by the contending parties—as we have repeatedly suggested ought to be done—will probably prove very helpful. Trench warfare has been converted into a war of open movement. We all know that in such circumstances things are likely to happen. Anything is better than a stalemate with neither side gaining even a " painful inch." On the whole, therefore, we are inclined to be more hopeful than most observers.
