The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-11-27

crease in the price paid by the Administer Garfield.
 John L. Lewis, acting presid miners would not accept.
 After three-hour conference at which representatives of the miners openly declared the new scale was 1.im- sulting" and sharply questioned Dr. Garfield, the sub-scale committee com posed of miners and operators met to consider the settlement plan and quickly adjourned. Another meeting will be held tomorrow.
 The miners refusal to accept while not announced to Dr. Garfield, was taken by the operators to be definite. Thomas T. Brewster. chairman of the coal operators association, declared the Garfield I4 per cent statement for malfy eliminated Secretary Wilson's proposal for 3I per cent increase.
 ''The operators arc ready to negoti- ate a new wage asreement,s Brewster said. "despite Dr. Garffeid's statement that the government will not permit an advance in the price of coal.
 MINERS ARE SURPRISED
 There was a sharp note of protest from the miners over the amount of increase. which was much lower than they had expected. Frank Harrington. president of the Illinois district of miners, was cheered when he declared that union men in his state weuld not accept 1t.
 Answering F.rrin xten. who wanacd to knew if miners refusing to work would be ella ssed outlaws. Dr. Gar field safd the government could not compel anybody to work, but that 1t would provide every protection for those willing to go into the mines and give the country the coal it needs
 Whale the sub-scale committee will give consideration to the proposition. the full committee, representing both sides, will remain here to receive any plan of settlement that might be agreed upon.
 to decide whether to grant the increase in view of Dr. Garfields positive announcement that increase In the price of coal would be allowed. Many of them shared the view expressed by Phil H. Penna of Terrc Haute, Ind, that some of the largest companies would be forced to shut down If that much increase was given
 NEGOTIATIONS TO END
 William Green, secretary of the United Mine Workers. declared tomor- row would see the end of all nesoua- tions, ms 3the operators are opposed to granting any increase and the miner" cannot proceed on the figures given by Dr. Garfield.
 Many of the miners said they agreed with Alexander Howat, president of the Kansas miners, who announced that s.ff we are unable to receive n wage that will guarantee us a decent living 366 days in the year we VIII go home and fight for n while"
 In explaining his statement at the point conference. Dr. Garfield snfd that in computing the wage advance he nad accepted Secretary Wilson's estimate of 79 per cent increase in the cost Of living since 1913. which was the high est estimate made by anybody.
 Dr. Garfield declared that miners to- dav were receiving higher wages without the IA per cent increase than .pv other class of workers in the coun- try.
 At the opening of the meeting pr. Garfield read his statement carefully, while both sides gave him the closest attention. He declared that it was not q proposal, but statement Of fact
 Lewis, jumping to his feet at the con- cIusion of the fuel administrators statement. wanted to know what had become of the proposal by Secretary Wilson.
 LEWIS OBJECTS
 .sThe miners came to Washington."
 hc nf SRrYe- tarv Wilson, who is authorized under inc law to arbitrate disputes. We nm derstood that he represented the cabi- net and indirectly the President him. self. Acting in his offical capacity. S~retarv wilson offered the miners an advance of 31 6-1O per cent
 aDoes the government intend to re- pudiate the act of it's authorized agent or abide by it:-
 ssThere is gentleman In the cabs- not respect more than Secretary Will son, pr. Garfield replied. "His pow CT. are clearly defined. Among other thing. his duties are to affect cOncilia- ton.
 .sBut under the Lever act the Presi- dent was empowered to control prices and that duty was conferred upon the fuel administration.
 .syou cannot fix prices without af- feetinr wages and you cannot change wares without affecting prices.
 "Both Secretary Wilson and frankly realize this difficulty. hut cannot aI- low it to stand in the way of doing my duty.
 Ut is not my understanding that Secretary Wilson made n definite offer to the miners or to the operators. but that he merely suggested, . basis on which you could get tOgether.~
 pr. Garfield said the cabinet ap- proved the basis of settlement as pre- sented.