Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-11-26
CABINET UNABLE:
To AGREE UPON
NEW MINE: WAGE:
Basis of Calculating Advance
and Distribution of Cost
Point of Difference.

Washington, Nov. 25.-Lke the
miners and operators, whose trou-
bles it was trying to adjust, Presi-
dent Wilson's cabinet tonight seem
ed helplessly deadlocked on the ques-
ton of wage increase in the btu
minous coal industry.
After six-hour session, the
cabinet, which took up the wage
scale agreement where operators
and miners left off last week, adj
journed until tomorrow, when an
other attempt, with the aid of Fuel
Administrator Garfield, will be made
| to agree upon a pay scale that will
satisfy the mine workers and owners
and the people in all sections of the
country, who are clamoring for nor
NAL production of coal.
The proper basis Of calculating the
proposed wage advance, and the
ratio of dividing the consequent in
crease in cost of production Of coal
between the operators and the public
are understood to have been the
points of difference among the
cabinet members. DR.. Garfield who
took leading part in the discussions
took issue with Secretary of Labor
Wilson as to the method of applying
the figures accepted by both.
No statement was forthcoming
after the meeting except an an
nouncement by Dr. Garfield that the
cabinet would meet again tomorrow
He declined to say whether progress
had been made, but one member Of
the cabinet declared prospects Of
an agreement were mot hopeless"
Secretary Wilson's estimate that
the cost of living had increased 70
per cent over 1914 was accepted. it
was understood, but a. difference Of
opinion arose as to the application of
this and other figures in computing
an increase in wages.
Dispute Profits.
Secretary Glass said tonight that
he might have "some very interesting
figures" tomorrow, emphasizing that
they had been compiled for the pub
lie and not for the cabinet He de-
clined to say whether they were the
income tax returns received by the
treasury department on excess pro-
fits from the coal industry.
Significance was attached to this
announcement. in view Of the fact
that the amount of profit made by
the coal companies during the last
two years and the percentage of in
crease in any possible wage advance
which the operators might be asked
to bear. have been the most bitterly
disputed points in the controversy.
The statements of former Secretary
of the Treasury McAdoo charging
that some coal concerns made enor-
NOUS profits during his incumbency
came in for discussion at the cabinet
it was learned, but no one would say
what form the discussion took.
Director General Hines attended
the session, but declined to say what
took place.
Before the meeting this morning.
Attorney General Palmer said that
if the figures as to operators pro-
fits given yesterday by Mr.. McAdoo
were correct. it was not likely DR..
Garfield would permit an increased
price for coal.
In statement bearing on this
issue, the operators said "that condi-
tons in 1917 were abnormal but
that as Mr.. McAdoo was Ignorant
of conditions in 1918 and 1919, his
message Carries no weight and re-
quires no answer" The operators
said they welcomed an investigation
of current tax returns, and that they
had been urging board of arbitra-
ton or a tribunal of investigation,
but that the miners refused to agree
to it.