Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-11-27
Lewis Immediately Declines
Advance Ordered by Adj
ministratOr Garfield.
GLASS SHOWS OPERATORS
HAVE MADE BIG SUMS
Profits of 100 to $50 Per Cent in
1917 Were Made East of the
River, Secretary
Shows

Washington, Nov. 2G-.h wage adj
vance of IA per cent for all mine
workers, maintenance of government
control over coal prices, and no in
crease in prices at this time, were the
conclusions of Fuel Administrator
Garfield, announced tonight to the
operators and miners wage scale
committee.
Declaring that Secretary Wilson,
acting as "the authorized agent of
the cabinet and Of President Wilson"
had offered an increase Of 81 6-10 per
cent, John l.. Lewis, acting presi-
dent of the mine workers, asked if
the government intended to "repud-
late the acts of Secretary Wilson,"
Later he announced the miners would
reject the plan.
Dr. Garfield replied that Mr.. Will
son made his proposal as mediator
to facilitate negotiations, and that
Mr.. Wilson told him today it was the
duty of the fuel administrator to fix
prices and that it was not the func-
tons of the secretary of labor.
"The cabinet has decided that the
basis | have suggested is sound and
right" DR.. Garfield said.
DR.. Garfield declared that the min
ers, without the proposed increase of
ID per cent, were better off than 9TH
er classes of employment A perman-
ent body, with purely advisory pow
ers, consisting of the secretary of the
interior as chairman and of an equal
number of representatives of opera
tors and mine workers was recon-
mended by DR.. Garfield
Fh;e 4
the principles announced by the fuel
administrator to unsettled questions,
wages and profits and living condi-
tions.
Lewis Rejects Offer.
In the midst of a sharp cross fire
of questions, Frank harrington presi-
dent of the Illinois district of United
Mine Workers, asked DR.. Garfield, if
the miners would be regarded as
OUTLAWS" if they did not return to
work.
The government has never at
tempted to compel men to work
against their will. but every pro-
lection will be offered miners willing
to return to the mines, DR.. Garfield
replied.
harrington replied that he did rot
think this would be necessary for
miners in Illinois, as he did not be-
lieve there were any in that state
who would care to return under the
new wage conditions.
John L. Lewis, acting president OF
the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea, declared when the meeting with
DIR. Garfield broke up that "the min
ers will not accept IA per cent
wage increase"
leer the new wage scale. Alexander
Howat, president of the Kansas min
ers' organization characterized it
was an "insult" and said 1--WE are
ready to go home and fight it out"
When the joint conference with
DR.. Garfield adjourned late to-
night the subcommittee Of miners
and operators went into executive
session to discuss the governments
Statement of facts" Lewis an
nounced that the miners would not
accept just as he started into the
meeting.
Garfield Statement.
DR.. Garfield's statement to the
joint conference of miners and OPP
orators follows:
ION the Oath instant, I announced
that the public must not be asked to
pay more than it is now paying for
coal, unless it is necessary to do so
IN order to provide reasonable wages
to the mine workers and a reason
able profit to the operators. Care
full investigation forces me to the
conclusion that in accordance with
this and the other principles set
forth on the oath instant, the public
ought not be required to pay any in
crease in coal prices at this time.
"The prices fixed by the govern
ment on coal were calculated to in
crease production for war purposes.
Coal was basic and the increase in
production was imperative. The
operators are now in receipt of mar
gins which were necessary to effect
that increase of production, but
which are larger than are required
under present conditions. It was
estimated that the production needed
for 1918 was 6OO,OO0,00O tons; the
estimate for 1919 is 100000, 900 tons.
Applying the principles set forth
in paragraph two of the statement
of November "a, when the average
increases in wages since 1918 for
the various classes of mine workers
are deducted from the increase in the
cost of living since that time. we
arrive at the amount of additional
increases in wages justifiable at the
present time.
II have taken the figures Of the
bureau of labor statistics for both