Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-12
Thinks Work of Commission
Authorized Under Settlement
Will Result in Increase in
Price Of Fuel to Public.
EXPECT MANY MINERS
BACK AT WORK TO-DAY
Retailers Throughout Countr,
Free to Keep Stores Open
Three Additional Hours OF
Saturday Until Christmas.

Washington, Dec. l1.-Fuei Ad-
nlinistrator Garfield's resignation
was tonight in the hands of Presi.
dent Wilson, given because he dis
agreed on principle with the Goa.
strike settlement proposal arranged
by the government and the min,
workers union.
DR.. Garfield himself refused to
night to confirm, deny or discus.
the report, but at the White Hous.
1t was said that a personal lette,
from him had been transmitted te
the president, late this afternoon.s
Men close to the fuel admins
traitor understand that he believe.
that the work of the commission
authorized under the settlement "a
be made up of one coal mine oper.
ator, a coal miner, and a third Der.
son named to represent the pubic
will result in an increase in. tI,r
price OF coal to the consuming pub.
llc. Against this form of settlement
DIR. Garfield has been unalterabh
opposed. 1t has been learned or
good authority that he took no par
III the negotiations with the mint
workers union chiefs during the las
week and that though informed as,s
consulted after their initiation, tn
terms laid out as finally acceptco
contravene his conception of the
main principle involved.
Fears Public to Suffer,
1t was recalled in connection WITH
the resignation that in suggesting a
IA per cent wage increase as fair
for the miners and possible to Be
paid from present profits of mine
owners, DR.. Garfield suggested a
commission representative of the
industry to review the findings, but
expressed the conviction that such
a body should not have power to
fix prices. His belief is said to be
that with this power granted. a COM
bination of the employer and en-
ploye in the industry to mulct the
public by price raises is certain to
result.
Whether the president will accept
the resignation is not known.
Members of the cabinet, howevcr,
are known to be supporting the set
tlement program as put through BY
Attorney General Palmer. Pres:-
dent Wilson today sent a message
OF congratulation to Acting Presi-
dent John L. Lewis, of the Mine
Workers at the action taken at In
dianapolis.
Operators Still in Capital.
Coal mine operators authorized TO
represent practically the entire in,
dustry, were still in Washington
awaiting an official notification OF
the settlement basis. There was con-
siderable doubt individually and diff
ference of opinion, but no meetings
were held to formulate definite de-
sislons of policy and none would
be, it was said, until the govern
ment call came. All were interested
IN hearing from home as to the ac-
tion of the miners locals upon the
union order calling off the strike.
but received little information.
Only one minor change in coal
saving orders came today from the
Railroad administration, allowing
retail stores to remain open nine
instead of six hours on Saturdays.
The six-hour schedule will be main
tanned on other days. Well informed
officials hold the opinion that many
OF the restrictions now ordered will
have to remain effective until Tan
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