The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-11-21
OPERATORSAAD MEN.
AGAIN COMFORTING
SECRETARY WILSON PROPOSES
THREE PLANS FOR SETTLE
MENT COAL TROUBLES
OLD AGREEMENT IS IN FORCE
Mediator, However, De People
Of United States Are Ne AShy-
locks" and Will Not Force Con-
tract Under New Conditions l
People

Washington, Nov. 15.-Demands Of
coal miners for 30-hour week anC
a 90 per cent increase in wages an6
an unyielding position by the operators
alike were declared impossible" by
Secretary Wilson in opening yesterday
the conference called to bring peace
to the bituminous coal fields Of the
nation. To obtain this peace the sec
rotary proposed three plans OF proce-
dure.
Declaring that the Washington wage
agreement still is legally in force Mr..
Wilson told the operators and miners
that the people of the United States
were not "Shylocks" and do not want
to exact ''the technical provisions of
bond when the conditions under
which the bond was made have
changed" He added that IF any great
change is made in the contracts the
people of the United States are the
ones who will have to pay and
throughout his remarks emphasized
the public interest in the coal settle
ment.
The three proposals expected to aid
the three factions In arranging the
new wage agreement were set forth
by the labor secretary as follows:
First-Negotiatio through joint
wage scale committees representing
all districts;
Second-Negotiatio through con-
current sessions of committees from
the various districts;
Third - Negotiations first of an
agreement in the central competitive
field and then of agreements for other
fields with that of the central district
as a basis.
After hearing Secretary Wilson, the
conference adjourned until o'clock
today to permit the miners and oper-
ators to discuss separately the plan
which would be most acceptable to |
each.
Discussion in the miners caucus |
which followed the conference session |
hinged on the question whether OPP !
orators representing both union and |
non-union fields would be included in |
the conference, and the effect any |
agreement reached by the conference
might have in those fields where the |
miners do not have contracts with the |
operators Although officers of the |
United Mine Workers refused to make |
any statement following the meeting, |
II was learned that the plan for a |
nation wide conference was favored,
but if any proposal is agreed to, Sec |
rotary Wilson will be asked to make
clear to the conference that the rights
of organized labor are to be protected
In those districts where the mining
unions are not recognized by the coal
operators.
The operators, however, did not look
with favor on an agreement covering
all fields. The Washington agree
ment, for the first time, the operator
asserted, fixed the same date for the
expiration of contracts between oper-
ators and miners in all parts of the
Fear of the power this ar
rangement gives the workers to bring
about nation wide strike was ex-
pressed by the operators, who indi-
Gated a desire to return to the old
plan of basing all wage scale contracts
IN the agreement reached in the CEN
raj competitive fields.
Owing to the likelihood Of protract-
ID discussion on the scope of the con-
ference before even the demands of
he miners are brought into issue,
many on both sides of the controversy
PREDICTED yesterday that the sessions
night continue for several weeks.
The operators continued in session t
Until a late hour last night and their '
conference broke up without announc- t
ng conclusion as to the proposals T
made by Secretary Wilson. Z. I. v
Brewster, chairman Of the committee v
rom the competitive field, said, how t
yer. that before today's session, the h
perators would be ready with some o
Ian for the joint session to pass on. a