The Washington herald., 1919-12-08
officials Refuse to Reveal
Details of President S Pro-
posal to Be Submitted to
Miners at Indianapolis
Meeting Tomorrow.
WANT "0PEN MINDS"
TO RECEIVE SCHEME
Governments S Position on
IA Per Cent Wage In
crease Will Be Adhered
To-Operators Reiterate
They VIII Stand By u. S.

Interest in the coal situation is
.entered today on the terms of the
proposal which the President has
made for the settlement o. -"
strike.
Government officials who were in
l position to know something about
he Presidents plan to bring about
peace in the coal industry yester-
Gay observed the closest secrecy
cesarding it
At the Department of Justice il
Sas said that no statement would
0e made in addition to the brief
1ne given out announcing that the
Presidents proposal would be sub
nitted to the meeting of the
miners representatives in Indianap-
Dlis tomorrow afternoon.
1t was said that the Presidents plan
would not be made public until after
had been presented to the miners.
The reason for this it is understood.
- that the Government desires that
he chances of its success should not
De endangered by letting it become
known before Acting President Lewis
and Secretary Green had a chance 10
urge its acceptance by the miners.
Wants Miners' minds Open,
1t is the Governments idea that the
minds of the miners and others con-
cerned should receive the proposal in
an open. receptive manner. such as
might not be the case should the Pres
dents suggestion be debated before
hand, and oportunity be given for op-
posing forces to work against it,
Vile the details of the President 5
plan were not given out Government
officfals stated that the Governments
position on the Il per ceRt wage in
crease would Ne maintained. But on
he other handNit was said that the
miners will be given a pledge that the
President would appoint a commission
q investigate the various elements OF
the coal controversy with the under
standing that the miners would be
given further increase IL the findings
warranted it.
Operators to Back u. &.
The operators said yesterday that
hey would stand by the government
whatever arrangement was effect
ID at the Indianapolis meeting. They
'eferTed to their previous declara-
ions to the effect that they would
Iccept any solution Of the coal crisis
rrived at by the government.
Attorney General Palmer left Wash
nSton last night for Indiana polls to
tttend the miners meeting. 1t is I'M
lerstood that he went as the Presi-
lent's representative. and that il the
occasion requires il he will appear in
'erson before the miners to set forth
he government position as en-
Drdced in the Presidents offer ~ of
:ettlement.
Acting President Lewis and Secre-
airy Green Of the United Mine Work
rs also left for Indianapolis yester-
lay. They have promised to urge
Iersonally and officially upon the min
RS representatives the acceptance of
he Presidents proposal
Fuel Administrator Garfield said
yesterday that he had nothing new
give out on the coal situation 1t
certain. however, that even if a
settlement is reached in Indianapolis
he Fuel Administration will have to
maintain it's control of prices for
iome time to come. The Railroad
Administration will also maintain its
rip on distribution until the shortage
II coal is danger Of the past.