Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-11-22
COAL FACTIONS
May Be FORCED
To Govt OFFER
Miners Reject Operators Offer Of 20 Per Cent Wage
Advance and Operators in Turn Refuse 40 Per
Cent Demanded by Workers. &c., Wilson
Offers Compromise Figures, Said to Be
81 Per Cent Another Effort Today

Washington, Nov. 21-Secretary of
Labor Wilson stepped to the front
again tonight in an effort to bring
miners and operators together after
a proposal by each side had been re-
jected and the slate wiped clean.
Mr.. Wilson is said to have present
ed formally a definite proposal for
the settlement of wage disputes
which would send bituminous mi
ners back to work before the coun-
try was in the throes of a coal
famine, but it's nature was not dis
closed. 1t was believed generally
he suggested a wage increase OF
about thirty one per cent.
Both sides united in asking him
to join the joint sub-scale commit
tees after the miners definitely re-
jected a twenty per cent. wage ad-
vance, and the operators had refused
to agree to a counter proposal from
the workers of forty per cent. III
crease, seven nour Gay ami a six
day week with half holiday on Sa:-
urday.
When the conference adjourned
after six hour session, Thomas T.
Brewster, chairman of the operators,
declared that their offer had been
withdrawn and that the slate now
was clean.
Secretary Wilson said that pro-
gress had been made and that he
would meet the sub committee
again tomorrow afternoon.
Comparative data on increases in
the cost of living and wage advan-
ces to miners since 1914, We're sub
mitted by Mr.. Wilson. who declined
to make public his proposition. 1t
was said he proposed an increase Of
approximately thirty-one per cent.
the difference between the cost of
living and wage increase figures an
nounced by the secretary at the
opening Of the conference last week.
An ultimatum served by the oper-
ators that their offer represented the
maximum was re-affirmed tonight
by Mr.. Brewster, who declared 1t
could not be increased unless "the
government says we should do it,"
When the conference failed to
agree on either side of the PROPOSE
ton the operators suggested refer
ring the dispute to arbitration, but
the miners objected. The miners
proposed a tribunal of nine members
to be chosen in one of three different
ways: Each side to pick four mem
bers and the eight to select the UNI
pire: each side to name four and the
President Of the United States. the
and the other three to be chosen by
the President.
The counter proposition from the
miners, scaling down Their early de-
mands was submitted by John L.
Lewis. acting presiden: Of the INT
ed Mine Workers after he had con-
ferred with Secretary Wilson. Mr..
Lewis stated that the new demand
Cor forty per cent. wage advance
all sorts of work represented the
margin" between the wage in
1914. and tn jumj taken by living
costs.
The mine workers also insisted
that all local differences net covered
by interstate agreement be referred
back to the districts in which they
originated for settlement.
The offer of the operators as
finally rejected by the miners at to-
days session was slightly different
from the terms submitted yesterday,
Mr.. Brewster said. The operators
stood fast on the amount of wage
increase but agreed to wave demands
for other changes in the present con-
tract.
The coal situation was discussed
today by Attorney General Palmer,
Fuel Administrator Garfield and Di-
rector General Hines of the Railroad
Administration. 1t is understood
that drastic plans were agreed upon.
if necessary, to bring the coal strike
to an end. and that these plans would
be laid before the cabinet Tuesday.
Mr.. Garfield emphasized in tele-
gram to Governor Harding of Iowa,
refusing to delegate the power Of fix
ing coal prices to state executives,
that the federal government intended
to retain control of the strike situa-
ton. Z.
An embargo on export of anthra-
cite coal effective today was an
nounced tonight by the fuel admin
istration. The order directed that
NO anthracite coal produced in the
United States shall be sold. shipped
or distributed except to dealers or
consumers. and for use and consump-
ton within the United States. it's
insular possessions and Canada"
AS any contract negotiated by the
miners and operators must be ap-
proved by DR.. Garfield before going
into effect. some of the operators
contended today no further wage ad-
vance could be offered without di-
rect authority from the fuel admin
istrator.