The Washington times., 1919-11-24
WealA DSsst Cest.

wsslA Dssst Csst.
Brewster declared that il would be
fnpoesible for the operators to accept
Secretary Wilson'S proposition for an
Increase to the miners and said that
il would mean q 20 per cent increase
in the total cost CT coal production.
Ten thousand union miners in
Maryland and West Virginia who re
Turned to work upon receipt of the
order resembling the strike, today re-
fused to 20 into the mines. Francis
Drum, president of the Maryland
miners district council today received
long-distance telephone communica-
ton saying the men would stay out
until q settlement n reached at the
Joint conference here
Conferences to be held today be-
tween DR.. Garfield, Assistant Attorney
GENERAL Ames and Director General of
Railroads Hines indicate that Federal
action IL not to be much longer de-
before nightfal. The government can
pursue these lines of action:
DictaAte . compromise between the
wage scales demanded and offered,
with the promise of Federal COM
mission to 1nvestigate the entire BIZ
luminous industry. -fa Sss--ss
nay r.ke Over Mines
Warn the two sides that failure
70 compose their differences within q
specifed time viii be followed by the
assumption of Federal control of the
mines
Authorize the operators to grant
q certain increase to the United Mine
Workers on the assurance that they
viii be permitted to increase prices
70 the consumer to the point where
- ''fair and reasonable" pront is con-
tinued.
The reports that the Government
has . new -card to play" have aroused
wide interest on both sides of the
controversy. In some circles it has
: 6sen rumored that the Federal author
tiles viii read the riot act to the min
ers, insisting that they return to
work before the negotiations pro-
ceed further. What methods would
- pursued to bring them about has
leen the subject of speculation. in
asmuch As the leaders of the United
Mine workers say they are helpless
under the existing conditions.
On the eve of the third week of
negotiations both sides are confident
that q settlement will be forced by
the Government within few days
Inc ahtfp8tny OF oOth SlQeS 10
Government arbitration has been
melted under the pressure of circum-
xtAnces. and the miners think the
-Hitimate solution OF their difficulties
may be found in this course. inasmuch
. as their entire policy is based on the
Assumption Of vast profits by the oper-
ators Of which the fuel administra-
tion professes to have found no trace.
They are confident that arbitration.
plus . sweeping Government inquiry
into the whole industry. will be their
best means Of vfndication. =.
Urge wage Tribunal.
Both sides are anxious to throw
TIE wage question into the hands of
= trfounal. II h reported. sfnee uey
are worA out BY fruitless negotia.
irons, and may seize the frst oppor-
tunfty that DR.. Garfield offers to
place the entire burden Of adjustment
upon him
: There still remains the possibility
that the rank and dle of miners may
obdurately refuse to return to work
" the Governments compromise
proves unsatisfactory. and leaders
privately express misgivings over the
temper they Are displaying. In the
central competitive field these miners
already have gained the whip hand.
since industry is seriously crippled
~ nonproduction. and will be loath
- abandon what they believe to be q