This book investigates the historical context and socio-economic factors that led to the formation of the United States Anthracite Coal Commission. It examines the complex relationship between labor, capital, and government in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing on the conditions that necessitated federal intervention in the volatile anthracite coal industry. The work draws upon extensive archival research and primary source documents to reconstruct the events and pressures that culminated in the establishment of the commission.

This scholarly work is recognized for its in-depth research into the precursors of the United States Anthracite Coal Commission. It is considered a valuable resource for understanding the historical forces that shaped labor relations and federal policy in the American industrial era. The book's meticulous examination of primary sources provides a robust foundation for its arguments.