The Prescott daily news., 1919-11-25
SETTLEMENT IN
HANDS OF CABINET
Coal Wage Question Up to Will
sons Family--Consumers Are
Likely to Be Taxed With In
crease For Fuel.

Washington, Nov. 24.-Settlement
OF the controversy over a new wage
agreement in the bituminous coal in
dustry tonight awaited action by Pres
ident Wilson's cabinet.
At the meeting of the cabinet to-
morrow a definite decision of a pol
icy regarding all phases of the strike
situation is expected and if the cab
met is in disagreement the whole
question may be put before the presi-
dent.
The fuel administrator, speaking to
the joint wage scale committee of
operators and miners, today an
nounced five principles which have
governed" him and his associates,
but different interpretations were
placed on it's various provisions by the
workers and the mine owners in in
formal discussions after the meeting
The principles announced were:
First. 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 reasonable
profit to the operators.
Second. The arrangement entered
into between the operators, the mine
workers, and the fuel administration,
with the sanction of the president of
the United States in October, 1917,
was intended to equalize the wages of
all classes of mine workers and to be
sufficient to cover the period of the
war, but not beyond March 81, 1920;
hence the only increase in cost of liv-
ing which can now be considered is
the increase above that provided for
by the average increase in 1917; that
is to say, the average total increase
in pay over the 1918 base, which was
the base considered in 1917, should
not exceed the present average in
crease in the cost of living over the
same base. 1t is also to be considered
that the cost of living will fall rather
than rise during the next few years.
"Third. The maximum prices fixed
by the government on coal were cal
culated to increase production of coal
for war purposes. Coal was basic and
the increase imperative. The public
ought not to be asked to pay and will
not now pay the increase over normal
profits then allowed for the purpose
of stimulating production.
Fourth. Any increase in wages
now arrived at on the basis of the
foregoing principles should be borne
by the operators or the public, OF
both, as may be determined by the
application of the principles and
should take effect as of the date when
the men return to work.
"Fifth. The needs of the United
States are not alone to be considered
Europe is in desperate need of coal
and should have all that we can
spare"
DR.. Garfield called the miners and
operators together after a lengthy
conference with Attorney General
Palmer, Director General Hines, and
Assistant Attorney General Ames.
Owing to the disagreement which
had arisen as to the amount of the
increase in the cost of living, and
consequently the per cent OF wage adj
vance needed to meet higher living
costs, great significance was attached
to DR.. Garfeld's declaration that "the
average total increase in pay over the
1918 base, which was the base con-
sidered in 1917, should not exceed the
presant increase in the cost of living
over the same base.
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