New-York tribune., 1919-12-10
Sharp AltercationAudible
Through Closed Doors;
Conservative Element
Defeats a Referendum
Contempt Hearings
Postponed a Week
Secretary Wilson Appeals
to Workers to Accept
Governments Proposal

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 9-Late
tonight it was declared by the adj
hcrents of Acting President John
l.. Lewis of the United Mine Work.
ers of America, who are here in in
ternational executive board session
to decide upon the compromise
measure proposed by President Will
son to end the great bituminous coal
strike, that the conservatives had
mustered enough votes to insure
ratification of this measure at to.
morrow mornings session Of the
board.
Radicals Lose Test Vote
The radicals, it became known to-
night, made their first attempt to
defeat or postpone settlement of the
strike by introduction to-day of a
motion to take the matter from the
hands of the general committee and
submit it to the locals of the organi-
zation for referendum vote. This
motion was voted down, which ac-
ton is believed to demonstrate the
strength of the Lewis-Green sup
porters and foreshadow acceptance
of the Presidents plan when it
comes to a final vote.
The international board went into
session at 4 p. m. behind bolted
doors, and at $3.50 p. m. adjourned
until $3.50 tomorrow morning. The
adjournment was the signal for a
series Of important conferences. Mr..
Lewis is leading the fight for rati-
fication Of the Washington agree
ment, it is understood, and the latest
reports are that a few more than
the necessary majority are with him
on the proposition. It will take
forty-three votes to swing the
board
Green Backs Lewis Plea
Back of Mr.. Lewis is Secretary
William Green Of the miners, who
accompanied the acting president Of
the organization to Washington,
where the details Of the compromise
measure were perfected last Satur-
day. Both have announced that the
compromise measure is the only al
tentative for the miners, and that
ii is the. best possible settlement un-
der the circumstances.
Following the boards session this
afternoon no formal statement was
made by the mine workers of this, ex-
cept the bare announcement that an
other meeting was TO take place to-mor-
row morning In spite Of this silence.
however, enough leaked out from be-
hlnd the closed doors to tell the nature
OF the session that was going on with
in. 1t was case of the conservative
element OF the union pleading for the
support of Acting Pres dent Lewis in
his stand to accept the governments
proposition. The radical element was
fighting every proposition for an inn
mediate settlement. while a third fac
ton took the position that the confer
ence did not have the power vested in
1t by the constitution Of the organiza-
ton to accept the compromise
New Convention Held Necessary
This third faction held to the point
that nothing could be done officially to
overthrow the action of the interna-
t4ona convention at Cleveland in Sep-
tenber until another international con-
vention was held and the miners.
through their officially accredited dele
gates, had voted on the proposition.
Regarded as a combination, or fourth
faction, IN the conference is one said
to be made up OF anti-admin lstration
members. These men are said to have
made 1T warm for the international off,
GERS Of the union ever since their elec-
ton.
The Presidents proposal, made pub
nc by Attorney General Palmer here
this afternoon, provides for resump-
ton OF work by the miners at a il
per cent wage Increase, pending final
settlement of the wage controversy bv
a commission to be appointed by the
PRESIDENT. This commission would in
ciude III its personnel one practical
miner and one active mine owner or
operator, and not only would adjust
the wage question as related to the
increased cost of living, but would ad-
just coal prices to meet the wage ad-
vance without allowing too great q
burden to be placed upon the public.
Presidents Intention Explained
The Attorney General, in making
public the Presidents proposal, stated
that it had been prepared by the Chief
Executive with view to appealing to
the miners generally throughout the