The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-10-18
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COAL STRIKES
fcontinued From First ?age.)

In the prices fixed by the presi'
dent.
The matter has been sub.
rnitted 70 me, and all concerned
are expected 10 cooperate. am
giving immediate and close at
tention to the question and hope
TO reach a decision at an early
date. The only circumstance
within my control which will de-
lay that decision will be the riol.
lation OF the spirit OF the ar
rangement between the operators
and miners. which was that under
no circumstances should the pro-
duction OF coal In the United
States at the present time be al
lowed to diminish.
''If either the operators or the
miners attempt 10 bring pressure
upon me- TO reach decision l
shall postpone it and use what
ever powers are necessary 10
compel the production Of coal to
meet the country's needs"
Sergholz Men Idle.
Mr.. White reported i.iat a con-
siderable number CT men were
out In. Springfield and Peoria
districts. in Franklin and William
son counties and In the Bellevil'e
coal district OF Illinois. In In.
diana. he said. six mines we're
idle because the men demand
wage increases. and in the Berg
holz district Of Ohio, several
mines have shut down.
Under the recent agreement
reached at a conference here be-
tween the operators and men a
new wage scale granting substan-
tial increases was agreed upon.
The operators first entered into
the agreement conditional upon
an advance in prices being al
loved by the government. The
fuel administration refused 10
consent to such an arrangement
and the operators according to
Observation-Disclosures finally agreed
without that stipulation. The
question Of allowing an increase
in price for coal produced is IN
the hands OF a committee OF the
administration.
To Remedy Shortage.
Fuel administration officials say
The men now striking want the
increased wages TO take effect
immediately instead of a. the
next pay period. about November
!. In statement tonight DR..
Garfield said the fuel administra-
ton and the railroads are cner-
geticaiy working on the prob
lem OF getting mora cars 10 the
mines. and that there is every
hope that the coal shortage will
be gradually remedied. He said
that whether the increased de-
mand for coal will be met by mn
increase Of supply will lepani
upon car supply. the energy and
patriotism Of the miners, coal
operators and laborers. and ais"
upon the loyal recognition hy
every citizen that he is RESPONSE
BILE for conservation and limita'
tlnn IN the use Of coal to the ut.
most possible extent.
Our production" he said, has
shown a steady increase over last
years figures so that the total Of
bltuminous coal mined In 1917
will BIZ about 50.onn,000 tons
greater than In 1915. and in.
creased production OF anthracite
coal will show an even higher per-
centage.
complaints have been received
from some mines that the in
crease in wages Of miners has re-
suited in a falling off OF produc-
ton. It Is charged that miners
will quit work when they have
earned certain amount ri
money during the week, and thus
the higher wages shortens the
working time. In most cases
where Investigations have been
made however. it is shown that
the short time has resulted much
more from the shortage Of cars
than from the unwilllngness Of
mon to put in full hours.
"It Is the opinion Of the fuel
,dooinietratIon that il all the