New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-04
Garfield De6ed
By Southwestern
Miners Delegates
Men Reject Strike Penalty
Clause in Proposed
Wage Contract
Break Up Conference
Fuel Administrator Says He'll
Not Yield-Coal Men in
Four States Involved
Break Up Conference

WASHINGTON. Nov. 3.-Southwest-
ern coal miners representatives defed
Fuel Administrator Garfield here TO-
day and refused to agree to the inser-
ton in a new wage contract of provi-
sions penahzing strikes and lockouts.
After a secret meeting this morning
the miners abruptly broke of negotia-
tons with DR.. Garfield and operators
representatives and left for their
homes this afternoon. announcing they
would call a general convention Of
Southwestern miners to meet in Kansas
City. November 10, to discuss the situa-
tion.
Fuel administration officials see pos
sibilities that the situation may de-
velop seriously. Sixty mines now are
idle in Kansas and miners throughout
the four states involved-Kansas, Ok
lahoma, Arkansas and Missouri-are
threatening to strike unless they re-
ceive immediate wage increases.
Garfield to Insist on Penalties
No contracts granting wage increases
will be approved by the government. DR..
Garfield insists unless penalty clauses
are inserted. Further. DR.. Garfield will
not apply 20 the Southwest the recent
as cents q ton raise in coal prices, which
was designed 20 absorb wage increases,
until the miners come 70 terms.
Il stand absolutely firm" DR.. Gar
field said tonight. "The penalty
clause must be put in exactly as indi-
Gated. l have nothing to add to that"
Operators representatives said to-
night they would agree TO any kind Of
a penalty provision DR.. Garfield de-
manded. The wage increases they had
agreed TO give to the men, they said,
could not be advanced unless the mines
received the 45-cent increases in coal
prices.
Wage increases sought by the South
western miners are based on increases
agreed on recently by operators and
union heads in the central competitive
field. The central field contract con-
tanned provisions for automatic PEN
alties, and was approved by DR.. Gar
field. who recommended to President
Wilson the 45-cent coal price increase,
Under the penalty provision miners
who struck without cause would be
hned 81 day each. and operators lock-
ing men out without cause would pay
me Of 90 for each man not working.
Present Penalty Worthless
The current Southwestern contract
provides a 5O-cent fine for men refus-
ing 70 work. but the clause is so worded,
it is claimed, that collection is impos-
sible.
Miners who struck recently in Hi
nois fields were told by DR.. GARFIELD
that If they do not 90 back to work i'm
mediatsly the government would use
the full powers of the law 20 insure
maximum coal production. DR.. Garfield
would not say tonight what action he
would take if the Kansas miners stay
out, but il is known he has consulted
with President Wilson and Attorney
General Gregory, and is ready TO act If
in his opinion the occasion demands
drastic MEASURES.
Reports to-day TO the fuel admin
iscration said that in many parts of
Kansas the people are without coal and
that public utilities may have TO sus-
pend unless relief is afforded soon.