Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1919-11-25
CABINET FAILS
TO AGREE UPON
Miners WAGE
SslRrsA..---. ~ zsil zs4azM
Presidents Advisers Adjourn
| After Discussing Coal Prob
lem Three Hours; Split On
Wilson Proposal.
BY Ralph f. Couch

Omitted Press staff correspondent
Washington. Nov. 25.--Members OF
President wilson's cabinet, meeting to-
day to bring about settlement Of the
coal strike, were unable to agree as to
what will be fair wage increase to
400, 900 miners who are idle, awaiting
the outcome of negotiations here.
After discussing the coal situation
for three hours the cabinet adjourned
lat p. N. to meet at $780,
Split Over Proposal.
This split was over insistence Of
Secretary Wilson that his proposal for
an increase of approximately 81 per
cent is necessary to equalize miners
wages and living costs
II Fuel Administrator Garfield and
several cabinet members opposed this
view and Garfield at the second ses-
sion late today was to lay new facts
and figures before the cabinet to sup
port his contention.
| Attention was called to the argu-
lment of operators that while Wilson
based his figures on wages paid pick
miners in 1918 about 70 per cent Of this
local now mined in the central competf-
tive district is mined by machinery.
/ Second Meeting Called.
Wilson at the second meeting today
planned to point out that more than
so per cent of the coal mined through
lout the country is taken out with picks
i Garfield was prepared to emphasize
THAT any wage increase given the min
ers will increase the price of coal to
the public and he maintains that wage
increases and corresponding increase
lin price should be carefully scrutinized
to protect the public.
!. Miners andoperators postponed Al
! joint conferences this afternoon pend
ing result OF the cabinet meeting, They
\ expected to be called in joint CONFER
ence by Garfield Immediately after the
cabinet adjourned
Washington, Nov. rs. - President
Wilson'S cabinet went into session to-
day determined to bring about a set
tlement of the coal strike which tas
kept 100000 bituminous coal miners
idle since November 1.
Fuel Administrator Garfield attend
ed the meeting,
Attorney General Palmer. strongf.
endorsing the statement Of princi
II pies made by Garfield to miners sn'
operators late yesterday declared TIA
arriving at settlement Of miners
wages was wholly d matter Of arath
j. ITnetic now"
r. Secretary Of Labor Wilson sal
l.. utha afrnoanhere needs cle1ringN an
I. Iintimated that todai's meeting woul
" bring about such Qualification.
j. Shortage is Acute
o. The middle west was on tho verg
n of serious industrial tie up todal
an due to the coal shortage, according
OF reports received here today. liundrec
H. lof plants were running far below nul
to lmal in the Chicago district. Railros,
ng schedules has been chopped until or
fl- lily the most necessary trains We're VI
ry Grating.
Indianapolis has instituted mar
hit fuel saving measures. such as hmre
fl elevator and car service. All eusine
s', is suspended after p. m.
In Supplies of coal to non-essential II
Ter dustries has been cut off in st. Lou
is The release OF hundreds of ca
lte loads of eastern coal has relieved y
rt- situation in Iowa, according to repor
on from Des Moines.
ic- The situation throughout Kans
M and Nebraska Is serious but not y
Of acute, though the cold weather
rapidly diminishing the reserve CO
supply.