The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-12-17
GARFIELD CRlT|CIzFS
STRIKE SETTLEMENT
Resignation Handed In and
Accepted
PRINCIPLE WRONG
HE CHARGES

Nini.
Washington, Dee l3.--Principlcs un-
dcrlying President Wilson's plan for
The settlement Of the coal strike, ac-
ccptcd by the miners, as based, are
fundamentally fwrong as a matter of
government" DR.. Harry a. Garfield,
federal fuel administrator until today,
told hastily assembled subcommittee
"f the senate tonight" ."His resignation,
sent to President Wilson because OF
ms views was accepted today with
those Of one or two of his associates,
he said.
IWhilc discussing with some freedom
a cleavage In the cabinet" caused by
strike settlement negotiations, DR..
Garfield withheld ansSHers to questions
by Senator FrtiinGhuyscn Rcpubli-
can, New Jersey, chairman of the sub
committee, on matters he regarded
rs touching confidential intercourse
WIN his former associates during tic
strike period. He adhered to this
refusal, though Senator Townsend,
ftepuhlican. Michigan, and Senator
Myers, Democrat, Montana, joined the
chairman in urging replies, and re-
fused to furnish a copy Of his letter
Of resignation, which lie Indicated had
explained MS JNiAYAEth the president.
senator 'F8THflgafsHen intinatcd
that Attorney General Palmer and
thor nffininl,
strike settlomnnt Mould be called
later.
My objection" DR.. Garfield said OF
inc settlement plan. goes to the point
hat the commission which / under
stand VIII be set up to decide wages
and prices will be composed of three
lncmbcrs. One to be miner, anothcr
10 be coal minc operator and the
hird TO represent the general public.
Under it the public, which is the chief
party at interest, would always bc in
The minority"
Has 1T hccn your experience with
The coal industry that employees and
employers might have common in
tcrc3t in increasing wages and costs
and passing that increase on to the
publc in prices" Senator Townsend
asked
They may have that common in
torc5t." DR.. Garfield responded quail
Tying his answer by saying that he
was not charging that this would be
tho necessary reSult
Il believe I represent the real opin-
ion OF the president in the matter" he
said later. THAT is, If were able to
see him and talk it over, because +
know his mind"
Skctching the history of strike ne
gotiations, DR.. Garfield explained that
he thought the members Of he cabi-
not were standing with him In his sug-
gcstion Of IA per cent increase in
wages and an advisory commission to
review the facts from which he derived
he II per cent clause. When this
waa refused, he added, he thought tho
question was going to be fought out"
DR.. Garfield would not produce 4
ICIcSItiii 9CIil INN ny ttltOTncy zen
cral Palmer confirming that under
standing for which he was asked.
Discussing proposals which he had
Submitted 20 the cabinet, Dr. Garfield
sAid
II had no power under the Lever
act to fix wages, but did have power
10 FIX prices, and the determination of
reasonable prices involved finally p
determination of reasonable wages
drew up Il statement OF principles
which ! thought should govern the
determination OF reasonable wages
and submitted that to the cabinet"
"ThCy were with you on that state
ment?" Senator Frelinghuyscn asked
"Ycs, except as to the second Of the
principles stated" DR.. Garfield re-
piled. THAT was one which said
the average wage Of workers in the
industry Onght to be taken as n guide
in flxing increases allowed to meet
The cost OF living, and not the wages
Of single group. Secretary OF Labor
Wilson desired the increase so given
to be estimated on the wages Of pick
miners