Arizona republican., 1919-10-24
Little Hope for Settlement Of Difficulty Is Held = Both Factions Agree to Meet Once More
[Republican A. p. Leased wirel

W NASohlN1ION, OCC Zo.-A ara matic appeal by Secretary of Labor Wilson, himself miner, prevented an open break tonight between miners and operators. almost ready to so home after failing to settle the strike Of 50oy 900 soft coal miners set for 10 days hence
 It was near the end of long and heated session at which the miners formally rejected one plan of settle ment and refused to arbitrate wages, that the secretary, taking hold of slender thread brought the two sides together and kept them here for an- other conference tomorrow.
 Situation More Hopeful As members of the two groups, weary after three days of argument and wrang ling, left the meeting place they refused to hazard an opinion as to whether the strike could be averted In some quarters, however there was more hopeful view than heretofore | Secretary Wilson, a bit hoarse after 1 long pleading with the factions for consideration of the public's rights, ac- tually seemed cheerful Much of this feeling was due to the fact that he had persuaded the warning factions to make another attempt to restore peace at the very moment they were ready to quit
 "The miners rejected and the op- orators neither rejected nor accepted my first proposal for settlement of their troubles," Secretary Wilson said tonight They now have before them for consideration d proposition sub mitted by me that they go into con ference with each other, without res ervation as if no demands had been made or refused, having in mind the interests of their respective groups.
 Want Strike Order Withdrawn
 The miners are willing to do that: and the operators are willing pro- vided the strike order is withdrawn 3
 John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers of America leading from the conference room a group of his men, said:
 The strike order stands
 Thomas L. Brewster, head of the Coal Operators association, leaving the meeting with a party of his as- sociates, stopped long enough to say:
 We are just where we started"
 But out of the mass of conflicting claims there seemed a better chance tonight that Secretary Wilson might be able to bring the miners and op- orators together.
 All efforts to have the two sides ar bitrate their differences fell down MT. Wilson explained that early in the meeting, the operators proposed tc submit the question of increased wages, after expiration of the present contract to a board of arbitration Only the question of wages was to b, considered but Lewis rejected it.
 In the language of Judge Ebert H Gary, l cannot discuss arbitration al this time, shouted Lewis and the tall turned in other directions
 Mir Wilson, of his own accord, sug sested formally that all the questions in dispute be submitted to arbitra ton but both sides rejected it st quickly that it looked as if they has reached the real end of attempts |, bring about peace.
 All the time, however, MT. Wilson was breaking into the discussion with pleas for the people, for som, thought of their rights, with a grin l word picture of what would come witt f the shutting down of mines and hal the country short of coal. Ther speaking quietly. he laid his new pro posal before the conference, urgin, f miners and operators to sleep over i and return with an inclination ant willingness to give and take. 2 The groups separated, Lewis leadin, t one and Brewster the other and fo l half an hour they talked low and earn s estly Finally it was agreed to nee jointly with the secretary tomorrow s morning.
 The troubles were explained in
 word by MT. Wilson, who said tn principal difficulty was to get miner and operators to proceed whole-heart . edly to negotiation of a new wag Q agreement.
 Lewis had concluded a fiery speec . in which he charged the operator - with full responsibility for the indus l. trial catastrophe" when he turned f u Secretary Wilson, sitting between tn d two groups, and declared: n "As far as the miners are concernet t We are ready to go home tonight. W recognize the futility Of the situation.