Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-23
COAL OPERATORS
SILENT ON STRIKE
Dispute With Attorney Gen.
eral Over Settlement Terms
Temporarily Halted.

The controversy between the oper-
ators and Attorney General Palmer
regarding the coal strike settlement
terms probably will go over until
after the Christmas holidays.
The statement of Mr.. Palmer that
"the government will not assume
that the operators will break faith.
and indeed, ways will be found to
keep faith in this vitality important
transaction" was considered today
by those directly concerned in the
coal situation.
To just what extent the statement
could be taken as cue TO the AT
torney Generals future action was
today a subject of wide discussion.
In some quarters 1t was regarded as
an indication that Attorney General
Palmer planned to bring the full
pressure of the government TO near
if necessary to carry out President
Wilson's proposal for the settlement
of the coal controversy.
Operators Maintain Silence.
The operators have maintained
silence since the executive commit
tee issued the statement Sunday de-
claring that the governments pro-
posal as finally dratted was nisaiiy
different from the plan proposed by
former Fuel Administrator Garnelo
and which they had agreed to accept.
The proposed meeting In cleveland
today to discuss the terms has peen
called off. and it was said the oper-
ators agreed to wl'nholu anu ~,
ment of their policy toward the gov
eminent proposal until the confer
ence to he held after Christmas.
Despite the operators refusal to
accept the terms. Attorney General
Palmer said, the commission Will pro-
coed with it's work. and Il have no
doubt that upon further reflection the
GENERATORS will see the wisdom OF
hearty cooperation with 1t.
Suspects "secret DEAL"
Senator Frelinghuysen. republican,
New Jersey. chairman OF the Senate
committee investigating the coal sit
uation. entered into the controversy
by declaring in a formal statement
that in the government negotiations
there must have been some sort OF
a secret deal made in addition to the
signed statement"
I'm any event" he added, "the pub
lie may look for an increase in the
price of coal or another strike He
characterized the settlement terms las
a loaded dice for the American people.
Calls Statement "Merest bubble.
Allegations by the bituminous coal
operators that they were not con-
suited as to the final terms of the
strike settlement were characterized
Yesterday by Attorney General Palmer
as 1.-The merest bubble and quite I'M
worthy of the representatives, OF
great industry" From the outset of
the strike negotiations. said Mr..
Palmer. the operators stated repeat
edly their willingness to conform to
any plan which the President might
suggest.
Their allegations now" continued
Mr. Palmer, that they were not con-
of q o.
randum- which was submitted to the
miners conference is absurd"
The settlement proposal as accepted
by the miners, the Attorney General
further declared. was submitted 10
representatives of the operators IN IN !,
it to their representatives In WASH
aNo objection was made" added Mr..
soluteIy silent until after the men
Palmer. 1.-The operators remained alb
were back in the mines. Then Tor the
first time they begin to object.
THE miners went back to work in
obedience to the law and the orders
of the court without having their de-
mands granted. They relied. as they
had a right to rely, upon the promise
of the President that Immediately
upon complete resumption of opera
tions a commission would be appoint
ed 10 take up Tic ma'eeiS a. A's,
officers of the government had an
equal right to rely upon the good
faith of the operators in their previ-
Gus declarations of agreement with
this program. The government will
not assume that the operators will
break faith, and, indeed. ways will be
found to keep faith in this vitality
transaction.
1.-The commission will proceed with
its work and l have no. doubt that
upon further reflection the operators
will see the wisdom of hearty CO.
operation with it.