New-York tribune., 1919-11-12
Twenty States 10 Join in
Conference of Miners
and Operators Called
by Secretary Wilson
Bot, Sides Pledge
Full Cooperation
Government to Resume
Peace Program Where
Strike Interrupted Ii

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.-Hav-
ing forced the miners to call off the
coal strike, the government set out
today to help them negotiate a new
wage agreement.
On the heels of the announce
ment that Federal Judge Anderson
at indianapolis had approved the
order promulgated by the United
Mine Workers of America rescind-
ing the strike notice, Secretary
Wilson invited representatives OF
the miners and operators from all
the fields involved in the walkout
20 meet here Friday ''for the pur-
pose of negotiating basis Of set
tlement."
The miners accepted. When Mr.
Wilson went home tonight he had
received no formal reply from the
operators, but was unofficially ad-
vised they would comply with his
request. The Secretary was as
sured by operators and miners they
would endeavor faithfully TO frame
a pay scale that would send the
5000 strikers back to work
willingly and at once.
Brewster Urges Quick Action
Thomas T. Brewster, head Of the
oDaratorS, association of ,Lo ca,+rci
competitive field. who arrived here
during the day from st. Louis to take
an active hand in the situation, made
public tonight a telegram to John L.
Lewis, acting president OF the miners
organization. urging prompt resump
ton Of negotiations The message.
sent. il was explained, before Secretary
Wilson had put his invitation on the
wires. made no reference to the Labor
Secretary as d mediator. Brewster
suggested negotiation Of "a contracs
to be in force upon the termination
of the contract now in effect,' with
out saying when or how this would be
determined.
Word came from Lewis tonight that
the miners had decided to accept Mr..
Wilson'S offer and they had so notified
Brewster.
The Secretary of Labor, again step
ping to the front as mediator, will
take up his work exactly rs it was laid
aside two weeks ago, except that no
strike threat will hang over the CON
ference. Instead OF there being present
in the conference Representatives OF
miners and operators only from the
central competitive field. embracing
the states OF Indiana, Illinois. One
and Western Pennsylvania. the confer
ence will include miners from all fields
involved n the strike. sire tching over
more than twenty states.
Change Surprise to Operators
Mr. Wilson's action in broadening
the scope of the wage negotiations was
a surprise to operators, but the larger
plan of representation was adopted
because Of the desire Of men from
other fields to have a voice in the
deliberations.
The final breaking up Of the strike
with announcement by the miners
officials that they would heed the blunt
command OF ,he Federal court. brought
4 sign of relief from official Washing
ton and expressions of surprise from
labor leaders who frankly had not ex-
pected il.
Responsibility Now Shifted
With the ending of all court pro-
ceedings the whole strike question was
shifted from the Department Of Justice
10 the Department of Labor, which is
charged with the task of bringing
capital and labor together in all such
controversies. There were no state
ments from officers OF the Federation
OF Labor beyond a reply. by the ex-
ecutlve council to the statement issued
last night by Attorney General Palmer
lherc were few reports as TO rle re-
turn CT the miners to work. and It wa
realized there would be considerable
confusion until the legal points had
been Cleared up and Lewis caaceila-
tion order had reached all districts.
Some labor officials were doubtful If
the miners as a whole would ro back
to work before adoption of a new wage
program It was rccause
certainty that Secretary Wilson and
Mr. Brewster entered inmedIaCe.y on
their task.
Early Agreement Desired
There was d difference of opinion
tonight as to how long the Joint CON
terence might run. but every effort
VII be made TO reach a speedy agree.
ment, especially if miners show little
disposition meanws.-: 90 return ia
work. Secretary Wilson. a:yavs nonr-
lul, and understood TO have opposed
the injunction proceeding. realizes. it
IS said. that many OF tae miners are
MED with bitterness because of the
court suit and that Il will require tact
and persuasive powers to bring the fac
tlons together
Some of the operators were inclined
to think the job might be bit more
difficult because of the larger number
OF fields involved. Heretofore theiom-
petitive. field scale has been the Basic
scale Of pay, and they said it was the