The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-12-02
PALMER TELLS
PUBLIC NOT To
Be STAMP PEDED
Opposes Another Coal Wage
Conference - Endorses
Garfield's Plan

WASHINGTON, Dec. l.-Attorncy
Ccrcral Palmer called upon the Amcrl-
can nconlc tonight 10 refuse to be
otanrcdcd by threats OF lack or coal
into concessions which will insure un-
r,..s.,r,hly high prices in all commodl-
Ties for at least three years to come.
\ statement of the governments al-
titudc was made hy th" attorney gen
rral in n Telegram 40 IN" chanpcr OF
commerce at MOhcrly. Missouri. from
which had como a request that anothcr
conference Of operators and miners DC
called.
Opposes Conference.
Mr.. Palmer opposed further confer
cncrS, saying the wage increase propos-
II by DIR. Garfield CqualiZcd the aver
arc miners wages with the present hlEh
cost Of living without increasing INC
nrjrc Of coal. This, he said, was falr
to the miners and protected the puoilc.
The cost Of living Is now at the hlEh
point" Mr.. Palmer said. TO grant the
demands Of the miners would make inc
cost Of living still higher. The now
wage would run three winters ana
therefore would maintain a higher cost
Of living for substantially three years
Such n situation cannot be tolerated.
Endorses CARRIED Plan'
"In addition t. this DR.. Garfield sug-
gcstcd consultative body to investi-
gate more completely tho whole situa-
ton. 10 be composed Of representatives
in cCunl number of the miners ana
operators, and TO be presided over by
rho secretary OF the interior. Such
body would investigate. among olner
things the profits of the operators. II
m
ahly high. the public should receive the
brnefit in a decreased price Of coal
after the miners have had their wages
finally adjusted OH a fair basis. un-
uerstaud this plan is acceptable to the
operators. If the miners return to work
and agree 10 this plan. way would DC
Immediately open for permanent set
tlemcnt.
Miners Got Increase.
I'm the meantime. however, the
operators have posted the advance in
wages proposed by DR.. Garfield, go that
Morliiugmcn will Immediately receive
the bGncnt OF this increase. The pro-
tltl,.liun Of coal now closely approx
.:!at"s ffty per cent OF normal. and /
have confidence thai sunIcient num-
h"r Of miners will comply with the
Wishes of their gON'rnI"cnt ana re-
spuud To the needs UI tho people 10
increase this production III the near lu-
ture 10 Il point which will supply the
demand. if economy aad conservation
in industry are Employed
ANY other plan 10 reopen neSotia-
tiuns Tor new wage scale between the
miner: and operators would be futile
ana Y puld delay rather than advance
production. As long rs the leaders Of
the. miners. organizations believe that
their unlawful strike Will force the
rublic into n condition oi suffering and
loss which will compel further In
rrraq"s Of wages continued conferences
on (h~ subject will only result IN innu-
cncing miners not To return 10 work.
"IHtr situation calls for the stcadfast
.uppor; hy the public Of the govern
mcr:'. position as announced by DIR.
,;,rirld The public should refuse to
be- ..tam?"dvd hy threats Of lack Of fuel
MO conc, ssIonS which will insure un-
reasonably .hiEn Prices Ill all coihnodi-
ties for at least three years to come.