Arizona republican., 1919-11-26
LIKE GCEE[[[[1tES'
CABINET FALLS.
INTO DEADLOCK
Can't Agree on Increase
Wage For Soft Coal
Miners-See Hope For
Compromise T o d a y
Glass to Disclose Start
ling Figures"
[RepubIican A. p. Leased wire1


WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-Like the
miners and operators. whose troubles
it was trying to adjust, President Will
sons cabinet tonight seemed hopelessly
deadlocked on the question of a wage
increase in the bitumious coal industry
After a six-hcur session. the cabinet.
Which took up the wage scale agree
ment where operators and miners left
off last week, adjourned until tomor-
row when another attempt with the
aid of Fuel Administrator Garfield will
be made to agree upon a pay scale that
will satisfy the mine workers and own
ers and the people in all sections of
the country who are cIamoring for nor
NAL production of coal.
Differ at Two Points
The proper basis of calculating the
proposed wage advance and the ratio
of dividing the consequent increase in
cost of production of coal between the
operators and the public, are under
stood TO have been the points Of diff
ference among the cabinet members.
DR.. Garfield, who took a leading part in
the discussions. took issue with Secre-
tary of Labor Wilson as to the method
Of applying the figures accepted by
both.
No statement was forthcoming after
the meeting except an announcement
by Mr.. Garfield that the cabinet would
meet again tomorrow, and that he
would not see either the miners or
operators meanwhile.
Prospects not "Hopeiessr
He declined to say whether progress
had been made, bur one member OF
the cabinet declared prospects of an
agreement were not hopeless"
Secretary Wilson's estimate that the
cost of living had increased 70 per cent
over 1914 was accepted, it was under
stood, but a difference of opinion arose
as to the application OF this and other
figures in computing an increase in
wages.
Secretary Glass said tonight that he
might have some very interesting fig
ures tomorrow emphasizing that they
had been compiled for the public and
not for the cabinet He declined to
say whether they were the income tax
returns received by the treasury de-
partment on excess profits from the
coal industry.
Significance was attached to this
announcement in view of the fact that
the amount of profits made by the coal
companies during the last two years
and the percentage of increase in any
possible wage advance which the oper-
ators might be asked TO bear, have
been the most bitterly disputed points
in the controversy.
Discuss McAdoo Statement
The statement of former Secretary
/ of the Treasury McAdoo, charging that
some of the coal concerns made enor-
nous profits during his incumbency
came in for discussion at the cabinet
meeting, it was learned. but no one
would say what form the discussion
took.
The Lever food control act was not
mentioned at the meeting, it was said
Owing to the time consumed on other
matters, it was not believed that the
cabinet discussed methods of enforc-
! ing its decision in case the verdict
should not be acceptable to workers
or mine owners.
Director General Hines attended the
session, but declined to say what took
place.
Before the meeting, Attorney Genera
Palmer said that if the figures as tc
| operators profits given yesterday by
Mr.. McAdoo were correct. it was moi
! likely DIR. Garfield would permit ar
increased price for coal.
| In a statement bearing on this issue
! the operators said:
THAT conditions in 1917 were alb
normal but that as Mr.. McAdoo was
/ ignorant" of conditions in 1918 anf
/ 1919, his message carries no weight
and requires no answer The oper.
ators said they welcomed an investiga-
ton of current tax returns and thai
they had been urging board of arbi-
tration or a tribunal of investigation
but that the miners refused to agree
| to it.