New-York tribune., 1919-10-23
Secretary Wilson Fighting
TO Prevent Collapse of
Joint Conference To-day,
And Chances Are Slim
Union Proves Obdurate
Expected to Reject Plan
for Increase Equal to
That in Cost of Living

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22-While
committees representing miners and
operators, meeting in final effort to
avert the strike Of 100000 soft coal
miners set for November l, were on the
verge tonight of parting company
for good, Secretary of Labor Wilson
held them together, overnight at
least, with wage increase proposal
that ignored union demands for g.
thirty-hour week.
There was every assurance that the
operators would accept it and every
indication that it would be rejected
bodily by the miners.
When the joint conference adj
journed until . o'clock tomorrow af-
ternoon it was with the understanding
that the two groups would meet then
and make formal answer to the pro-
posal, after separate consideration, Re-
tusal of the miners to accept will
bring the conference to close and
force government officials 10 resort to
other means to prevent the closing of
the mines with the first approach of
winter.
Secretary Wilson'S offer, which pre-
vented actual disruption of the pro
ceedings, sets forth the case as fol-
lows:
That wages be increased at the
expiration of the present contract in
an amount equal to the difference be-
tween increases in wages received by
mine workers since July 1914, and the
Increase in the cost of living since that
date.
That the increase be effective from
the termination Of the present agree
ment until March 81. 1920.
Chat these conditions the strike
order be withdrawn and that the min
ers continue at work on these terms
and that negotiations be entered into
at the usual time for making the new
scale effective after March 81. 1920
The silence that prevailed during the
reading OF the terms on which Mr..
Wilson hoped to settle the strike was
rudely broken by quick demand from
John l.. Lewis, president Of the United
Mine Workers of America. that the
Secretary explain what he meant in the
opening paragraph OF his statement
concerning respiration of the present
contract"
The Secretary, bearing in mind that
this was one of the principal issues in
dispute, said it would be g matter for
negotiation. The miners have contended
that the wartime wage agreement un-
der which they have been working
ended with the armistice, while opera
tors argue that it will hold until peace
is formally declared by ratification of
The treaty.
Until the Secretary, acting independ-
emily as Government mediator. came
forward with his proposal, the confer
ence was deadlocked, with each group
eager to get away, but just as eager to
escape the charge that it was respon-
sibe for breaking OF negotiations.
Taking in the situation, and still hope
ful that his efforts might succeed Mr.
Wilson suggested that the miners retire
while he conferred with the operators.
Men Eager to Get Away
Later in the day the miners returned
for a separate meeting with the Secre-
tary. and they in turn were joined by
the operators Meanwhile many of the
delegates were anxious TO start home,
but were persuaded to remain overnight
and make one more effort to bring about
peace.
The attitude OF the two groups was
again outlined in detail, the miners
announcing that the strike order would
not be withdrawn until the operators
rad agreed to a new contract the real
basis of which was the thirty four
working week. The operators again in
formed the Secretary that under no
conditions would they arbitrate on
the basis of the thirty-four week, and
if that was included in any propose.
Put before the joint session they would
withdraw
At times during the day the pro
ceedings were stormy, with half {