Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-12-17

Former Fuel Administrator Assslls
kt Method Of Strike Settlement.

Washington, Dec. 15--Principles un-
DERIVING President Wilson'S plan for
tho settlement OF the coal strike, 40
cepted by the miners, are "fundamen-
tally, wrong rs q matter Of govern
inent," DR.. Harry A. Garfield. federal
fuel administrator until Saturday,
told hastily assembled subcommittee
cf the senate. His resignation. sent to
President Wilson because Of his views
was accepted Saturday with those Of
one or two OF his associates. no said.
While discussing with some freedom
- cleavage In tho cabinet caused by
strike settlement negotiations. DR..
Garfield withheld answers to questions
by. Senator Frelinghuyssn, republican,
New Jersey, chairman of the subcom-
mittee, on matters he regarded as
touching confidential intercourse with
his former associates during the strike
period.
He adhered to this refusal tho
Senator Townsend, republican, Mich
igan, and Senator. Myers. democrat,
Montana, Joined the chairman in .urg-
Ing replies and refused to furnish a
copy Of his letter of resignation, which
he indicated had explained his views
to the president,
Senator Frelinghuysen intimated
that Attorney General Palmer and
other officials connected with the
strike settlement would be called later.
h oarfisld's Objection.
my objection" Mr.. Garfield said Of
the settlement plan. goes to the point
that the commission which I UNDER
stand will be set up to decide
wages and prices is to be composed Of
three members, one to be miner.
another to be coal mine operator,
and the third to represent the public.
Under it, the public, which is the
chief party at interest, would always
be In the minority"
HAS 1t been your experience with
the coal industry that employees and
employers might have q common in
terest in increasing wages and costs
and passing that increase on to the
public in prices7" Senator Townsend
asked.
S''They may have that common inter-
est" Mr.. Garfield responded, qualify
Ing his answer by saying that he was
not charging that this would be the
necessary result,
IT believe represent the real opin-
, ion Of the president In the matter"
h6 said later. that Is. II I were able
TO see him and talk it over. because I
k1Ow his mind"
ssiThousht He Had Support.
.SShetching the history Of the strike
negotiations. DIR. Garfield explained
that he thought members Of the cab
met were standing with him In his
suggestion OF a IL per cent increase In
wages, and an advisory commission to
review the facts from which he deriv-
cd the II per cent clause. When this
was refused, he added, he thought the
question was going to be fought out"
DR.. Garfield would not produce a
telegram sent him by Attorney Gen.
erai Palmer, confirming that under.
standing for which he was asked.
Discussing proposals which he had
submitted to the cabinet, Dr.. Garfield
said, e
II had no power under the Lever
act to fix wages, but did have power
to fix prices. and the determination Of
reasonable prices involving finally q
determination Of reasonable wagsS.
Grew up 2 statement Of principles
which I thought stould govern the de-
termination Of reasonable Wages and
submitted that to the cabinet.
Were they with you ON that state
nient ~ Senator Frelinghuysen asked.
Yes. except as to the second OF the
principles stated Mr.. Garfield re-
sponded. "That was ono which said
the average wage OF workers In the
industry ought to be taken ~ guide
in fixing increases allowed to meet the
cost Of living and not the wages Of q
single group. Secretary Of Labor Will
son desired the increases so given to
be estimated on the wages OF pick
miners"
"What was your objection to that7'
Senator Townsend asked.
"Basing the increase on the wage Of
pick miners" DR.. Garfield said, would
have resulted in securing. IN average
increase Of 17s per, cent in wages in
the industry over the period since
1919, when the secretary Of labor con-
cedcd that the increase Of cost Of liv.
Ing had been only 70 per cent"
Assumes Responsibility.
Some members Of the cabinet, Dr..
Garfield said. supported him and some
the secretary Of labor, but all were In
agreement on the balance OF the pro-
posal. He had finally taken the re-.
sponsibility Of putting thru his settle
ment suggestion without securing .
unanimous agreement Of the cabinet.