The Washington times., 1919-12-06
governors TOLDGO'
SLOW IN COAL ROW.
Report Midwest Executives Get
lntimation Fuel Heads Juris-
diction Is Competent.
Continued from First Page.)

CONTINUED from First Page.)
to settle the strike of the miners, or
to change the basis of wages ADJUST
ment that has been sanctioned by the
Fuel Administration will serve ID
complicate a very serious situatcfi,
and render more difficult the WORK OF
final adjustment and reOpening OF
the coal mines.
The text of the message to the gov-
ernors Is not available at the De-
partment of Justice. Indeed, no one
there will admit that the message.
has been sent.
DIR. Garfield was almost as reticent
but saying. however. that his author
by appointment of the President, act
ing under his war powers, is compet-
ent to deal with the situation
throughout the whole country.<
Public Must Not Pay More.
THE Federal Government is fol-
lowing the principle in seeking
settlement Of the strike that the pub
lie must not be called upon to pay
an increased price for coal under any
wage advance that may be granted to
the miners" said DR.. Garfield today.
"The Government has found that ii
per cent represents the sum between
the per cent of increase in the cost
OF living and the per cent of wage
increase since 1913. Consequently,
this per cent has been suggested to
the miners and operators as basis
OF settlement, and has been accept
ed by the operators.
"Manifcstly, the Federal Govern
ment cannot take cognizance Of
propositions to settle this matter that
emanate from any other sources,
particularly II they carry with them
the prospect of an increased cost of
coal to the consuming public.
After careful consideration OF the
entire wage controversy, the Govern
ment considers the increase Of IA per
cent to be fair and equitable, and ],
as Fuel Administrator, will not
countenance larger Increase
Silent On Cox's Oner.
DR.. Garfield declined to discuss the
report from Ohio that Governor Cox
Is understood to- sanction an increase
of % per cent to the miners.
Activities Of the governors in the
coal situation are understood to have
been discussed at length in the con-
ference between DIR. Garfield and At
torney General Palmer. At that time
the entire coal situation was
thoroughly canvassed, as well as the
situation existing in the regions
where the miners have refused to
return to work.
1t was at this conference that the
decision was reached to bring to the
attention of the governors the DO
sition and authority of the Federal
Government in the matter, with the
intimation that the basic points Of
the controversy-the determination
of wage increases, and hours Of work
should be left to the handling of
the Federal authorities.
Sees Improvenent,
In reviewing the coal situation
throughout the country DR.. Garfield
stated that he sees signs of improve
ment. In many localities small
groups of miners are beginning to re-
turn to work, and the production of
coal Is showing slight increase
daily over the latter part of last
week.
Gang fear and union politics is
attributed by the operators commit
tees in Washington as the prime rea.1
son for the continuance Of the strike.
Many miners hesitate to return to
work because OF the fear that other
strikers may attempt vengeance.
Evidence of attempts on the part
of mine union officials or walking
delegates to prolong the strike
through activities contrary to the
provisions Of the injunction Of Judge
Anderson in Indianapolis are being
brought to the attention of the Fuel
Administration by. operators and
turned over to the Department Of JUS
tice.
DR.. Garfield will confer today with
Director General Hines for the pur-
pose of taking up the matter Of set
tlement by the railroads with the coal
companies for fuel that has been
turned over for distribution since Oc-
tober %.