Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-22
failure Of MINERS
AND OPERATORS TO
AGREE DISTURBING
Half Million Bituminous
Workers to Be Called
Out November /.
FEDERAL AGENCIES LOOK
UPON LAW TO SAVE NATION
Less Than One Months Supply Of
Coal Is Now Avail
able.
TRIKE ORDER STILL STANDS
resident Lewis Charges That Minc
Owners Refuse to Negotiate
New Wage Contract
STRIKE ORDER STILL STANDS
resident Lewis Charges That Mine
Owners Refuse to Negotiate
New Wage Contract
Ry Ar.oe,ated pnm1

WASHINGTON. Oct. 2l-Fai!ure of
operators and miners TO settle their
Iiinerences after 4 four-hour confer
'nce today with Secretary Wilson may
orce the government to step IN and
prevent tho strike OF 100000 bitumin-
ous coal miners. called for Novcm-
Although another EFFORT will be made
omorrow to bring peace TO the in
iustry, the strike tonight doomed big
IND close close at hand and leaders OF the
wo sides. speaking frankly and grave
y. said there was little hope.
hiie the full scale committee rep
'esenting the miners and operators
vas lighting their battles today behind
'losed doors, n strike storm ragged in
he Senate. and Federal agencies looked
: ip the law, fully convinced IL would
rave TO be invoked 10 save the coun-
. ~ from untold distress and suffering.
With mines shut down and less than
months stock on hand to keep fires
burning.
Operator. Discus, Crixis.
Filing out OF the meeting place. the
miners and operators. nearly 100 of
hem went their separate ways to
iiscuss the crisis. the former led by
Mine Workers Of America. and the lat
er by Thomas T. Brewster, head OF
he Coal Operators Association. Lead
Extremely reticcnt. Both Lewis and
Brewster refused to discuss the situa-
ion beyond saying there had been no
I,hange in the attitude Of either group.
Informed of the attack on the unions
n the Senate by Senator Frelinehuy-
sen. OF New Jersey. and reports from
hight Intervene. strike leaders said
here was n bare chance OF some en-
1ournging developments tomorrow, but
hat the strike order would stand.
Without giving the least intimations
lis to what was in his mind as 10 hope
.of settlement.
Urges Immediate Settlement.
The two committees, in separate
I,roups. filed into the assembly hall OF
+ he Red Cross building. and sat down
5,hortly before noon; while Secretary
ceremony announced that they had
seen asked to meet and adjust their
grievances. Pleading for immediate
', ',howed how It would arcct tho public,
how 1t would close Industrial plants
.,nd stop freight ard passenger traffic
,ecause Of the limited coal stocks held
p ing out that the matter was
|,ne oas5yital concern to the people.
seestire oeer MseS0 Of the @ in
rusted with the function OF mediation
n such disputes. he, felt that every
luce the miners and operators to see
he Importance of early adjustment
rhe secretary gave fnll weight to o,,rs the
| b
contracts and to. the Importance OF
..escindng the Strike order and to
7vithdrawal Of demands for thirty
- he statement of the miners that there
.nust be "a disposition to really nego-
late" before it would be worth while
/ or them to go into conference.
says Owners Refuse to Deal.
President Lewis then spoke for the
miners. The. old wage agreement, he
3tors, he charged. had refused to con-
| Ii1er new one.
'he side of the operators was pre-
ted by p. Fl. Penna. of Terre Haute.
Emd. who charged that the miners had
|,ioiated their agreement. that the
operators, had adhered to the r,rin-
I,aining, and that the unions, were at
Fault Then. without consulting the
eadera. Secretary Wilson suggested an
CASUALLY su as If the conferences had
planned to run for a. week; The secre-
It vas bs SAID xews gdieated hs desire
(nent after each side had boen given
b full hearing;
discussed at the regular Cabinet meet
oday Sryo ba ii wns he subject 9f
Eearched esri the records to see what "er ac-
ion was taken in h,ns similar dis. siSt"rh,
whether Mr. wilson's concliation ef-
Forts would bear fruit.
May Renew Fuel Administration.
Re-estahlishment OF the fuel ad-
In,nistration, which ceased to function
ast spring. was discussed by officials
IL was contended that the food con-
rol act gave the government full
bower to require the miners to re-
: main at work. pending adjustment
1t Vas not thought tonight that
+he conference would continue in
4esson after tomorrow. All govern
nent plans waited, therefore, until its
o,lose. with full expectation. should no
+esults be obtained. the government
Through Congress or other agencies,
would step. In and keep the mines in
Full operation.