New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-11-28
Cabinet to Fight 1t Out

Production figures in the possess
sion of the government show that
outside of the central competitive
fields bituminous coal production is
more than so per cent of normal.
and the government is not seriously
alarmed at conditions unless the
winter becomes unusually severe,
and coal production is reduced as q.
consequence Of sharp weather.
AS a matter of fact there is little
question that the Cabinet has decided
It must fight out the issue with organ
ized labor. 1t has no desire to refuse
any just demand upon the part Of the
coal miners or upon the part of any
other branch of labor, but il decided
that if it supported the demands of the
coal miners it might as well make up
It's mind to turn the government over
TO labor
Although on the surface the opera
tors and the miners had reached a
point tonight where no agreement was
IN sight. it still was possible that they
might get together within the next few
days. Repre- of both sides
renamed IN Washington tonight, and
viii be in constant touch with each
other from hour to hour
Neither the operators nor the miners
wish 10 get so far apart that they cam
not get together again and both resent,
under cover if not in the open. the
fact the government has failed TO rec
oncile their differences.
S7;,.x-
Al the final conference of the two
scale committees to-day the operators
notified the miners that they had ac-
ccpted the governments offer. The IA
per cent increase was then submitted
20 vote. and was rejected, being
turned down by the miners. Then the
miners submitted counter proposal
Secretary Wilson's suggestion of
3l66 per cent increase. and this was
rejected by the operators. Finally the
operators renewed their arbitration
tasal by the miners. Both sides then
voted to adjourn sine die, the only
agreement of the day.
John l.. Lewis, acting president Of
! the United Mine Workers, announced
10 ali the miners representatives after
the meeting adi diourned that they were
free to proceed to their home, as no
further conferences were in prospect.
Miners Hold United States to Word
He then submitted himself to news.
paper corresp spondents and made this
! statement:
The miners and the operators have
diourned sine die. The mine work
ers' representatives. declined TO recon-
mend to the miners an acceptance OF
the IA per cent increase offered by the
government
The operators pretended to be will
ing to agree to grant this IA per cent
/ increase, but In the same breath stated
they would be unable to operate large
number of their mines unless they
were permitted an increase in the SELL
ing price of coal 1t would be foolish
Tor US TO attempt to make an agree
meAt with the operators unless their
mines were to be operated.
THE position of the miners is un-
changed. We hole that the United
States government cannot break it's
word and that the pledge of Secretary
OF Labor Wilson to grant a 81 66 per
cent increase in wages must be re-
deemed
Colossal Blunder." Says Lewis
In my judgment" DR.. Garfield and
the Cabinet have committed the most
colossal bsunder in the Industrial his
tory of the nation. They are biindly
following an academic theory without
regard to justice TO the mine worker or
the effects of such theory upon the peo-
pie of the country.
possibility for the crisis now
confronting the nation must lie with
! those statesmen who are using the
power OF government TO oppress and
deny justice to the great slement1bf its