South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-09-27
WAGE DEMANDS
Of COAL MINERS
MAY BOOST PRICE
Operators and Union Leaders
Declare Advance ImpoS-
Sible Under Govern
ment Prices.

WASHINGTON, Sept 26.-De-
mands of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and
western Pennsylvania coal miners
for wage increases Of about % per-
cent were in the hands OF a join
scale subcommittee Of miners and
operators Tuesday night, with in
dlcauons that as a result OF the OPP
orators fat refusal TO grant more
pay, DR.. II. A. Garfield. the fuel
administrator. would be called into
the negotiations.
The operators contended that the
wage demands. presented at a Joint
conference Wednesday were ex-
orbitant in view Of the government
fixed prices for bituminOus coal and
that even without giving the miners
more pay, many mines would be
forced 10 suspend. They agreed,
however. 10 a discussion of the de-
mands by a subcommittee Thurs
day. Results of the deliberations
will be communicated TO DIR. Gar
field by John P. White, president
of the United Mine Workers and
chairman of the committee, who is
also an official adviser of the fuel
administrator.
Hope for Price Revision.
Most of the miners leaders agreed
with the operators that an advance
is impossible under the government
prices and admitted that their only
hope lay in an expected revision OF
the prices after DR.. Garfield and the
federal trade commission complete
an investigation OF production costs.
In preparation for extensive deal
ings with the fuel administration
over questions of prices and pro-
ductlon, operators of the entire
country meeting here Wednesday
perfected organization Of the Ma
tional Association of Coal Operators
and elected w X. Field president.
Discussion of the wage demands
for the four states comprising the
central competitive field was limit
ed in conferences Wednesday main
ly TO the situation created by the
governments price restrictions. OPP
orators told the miners that unless
the prices are raised, many mines
containing thin veins which cost
more to work, will be forced out of
business and miners will lose their
Jobs Production will be reduced in
other ways. they argued. and with
the resultant dismissal of workmen
higher wages for those who remain
could not be considered.
Want so Cents Ton More.
An advance of about so cents
from the government basic rate of
about 81 a ton, with IS or % cents
more for the less efficient mines,
was urged by many operators as
proper revision to permit payment
Of higher wages, allow for profit
able operation, and guarantee no
diminution of production in the war
emergency.
The work Of the scale sub-com-
mittee Thursday will be watched
with interest throughout the coun-
try. because wages in the central
field. directly affected by the de-
mands. form the basis for virtual
" all other bituminous producing
areas. To assist Dr. Garfield in
keeping in close touch with the dis
cussions. Rembrandt Peale, Penn
sylvania coal producer who has
been named fuel administrator ad-
wiser. may sit with the committee,
Il was said Wednesday night.
Besides Pres't White, acting as
chairman, the ub-committeemen
are operators: c. NJ. Moderill and
Thomas Brewster, Illinois; P. H.
Penna and w. J. Freeman, Indiana;
c. z. Maurer and J. c. Weitzel
Ohio: ]. A. Donaldson and William
Henderson. western Pennsylvania.
Miners: Harry Fishwich and Frank
harrington. Illinois; Edward Ste
wart and William Mitch, Indiana;
John Moore and G. w. Savage.
Ohio; Phillip Murray and Robert
Gibbons. western Pennsylvania.