The Washington times., 1919-11-15
AGREE TO DISCUSS
COAL WAGE SCALE
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vance that the American people are
not going to permit the mines to re-
main idle. The mines are going to
resume work"
He also indicated that arbitration
1 by Government tribunal would be aC-
ceptable to the operators.
Fear Miners VIII stay Out.
Several of the spokesmen for the
operators showed Apprehension that
the miners were going to stay out Of
the mines despite revocation Of the
strike order.
"A crisis confronts the nations
right now " said L. A Tay .or, of Iowa.
at is faced by the shutting off of
transportation and the shutting off y.
food. The mines are noC working.
That Is the big fact in the situation
Secretary OF Labor Wilson inter-
jected a remark TO the effect that &C
body knew when the miners would
resume work, but that the best way
OF assuring it would be to hasten
negotiations.
John lewis, acting as president of
the United Mine Workers, then for
mally charged that operators in many
States have violated the Lever act in
refusing to reinstate strikers unless
they sign agreements not to continue
their union membership.
Demands Law Be Enforced
'T call on you, Mr.. Chairman" he
shouted addressing Secretary of La
Dor wilson," to see that the Govern
ment of the United States enforces
the law"
Lewis read a telegram from J. r.
Clemo. secretary and treasurer of the
Alabama Mine Workers, charging
that hundreds of miners whose fam
lilies are without food were refused
employment under an agreement
reached at a meeting of operators
Wednesday.
being employed in Colorado, the New
River Fields of West Virginia. Ken
lucky. central Pennsylvania and in
the Pocahontas fields.
Secretary of Labor Wilson's plan
for negotiating a new wage scale bv
miners and operators from every sec
tion of the country was accepted by
miners.
Sees Delay I'm Wilson'S Plan.
F. W. Lukens said the operators
wished first to negotiate a new scale
for the central competitive field, and
later for other districts. This is the
plan that has been followed in past
negotiations between miners and op-
orators.
Lukens said Wilson'S plan would
cause delay, and continued:
In the central competitive field
machinery for negotiation which has
been in existence for years now
stands ready to be set in motion"
Lewis jumped to his feet and said:
The mine owners accept the pro
posal OF Secretary Wilson without
change Are the mine workers to be
everlastingIy the victims of bad faith
on the part CT the operators?''
"On every hand the cry has been
that the operators in the outlying
districts never were presented with
the demands Of the miners and that
they stood ready to- negotiate con-
tracts. Now under the plan proposed
BY the operators the outlying dis
tricts will be without contracts until
the scale has first been negotiated for
the central competitive Held"
Lukns said the miners showed bad
faith by breaking their contracts.
Charges Miners Ceereed.
Declaring the Government had CO.
creed the miners, William Green. sec
retsry to the mine workers, stated:
Before the strike the miners came
to Washington to negotiate at the
invitation OF the Federal Govern
1ucut- Inc miners accepted without
Qualifications this invitation and
stood willing and ready to write a
new wage scale But the operators
refused unless the miners would call
on the strike order.
We yielded on every occasion, now
We ask: Is this going to be a one
sided AFFAIR." How long are the
workers to be put in the position of
accepting every proposition of the
Federal Government when the opera
tors refuse every proposition?
Turning to Secretary Wilson.
Green rebuked him for his statement
yesterday in which he characterized
- impossible" the proposal OF the
workers for a thirty -four-hour week
and 90 per cent increase in pay.
Cites 1000 Yearly Toll
Mr.. Secretary, he said. 'I want to
take exception Of your statement of
yesterday. Let US not prejudice the
case Of the miners in advance If