The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-12-20

obeyed in good faith by some Of the
union officials"
Grand jury investigation Mr.. Palmer
said. was still going on. involving the
whole question.
Mr.. Palmer explained that the tnJunc-
ton was intended to separate the strik-
ers from their leaders and the union
funds.
was there anything said to the de-
PENDANT officers of the union which
would make than understand tnat no
further prosecution would be commence
ed against them" Senator Townsend
inquired.
Not one word" Mr.. Palmer said.
At the request Of Senator Townsend
Mr., Palmer described the conditions
leading to the court action. He told OF
or,orts Of Secretary Wilson to mediate
between the miners and operators.
"Arter a deadlock ensued in WASH
ton" he continued, Or. Garfield was
brought in and he told both operators
and miners that the price OF coal coulu
not be increased one cent to pay "aee
increases, basing his finding on calCu-
Iations which he made that wage IN
crcosc Of IA per cent could be given the
mcnt md paid by the operators without
increasing the present price OF coal.
This nroposal. the miners rejected and
oIl nartics returned home. l thcn SCI
tied down to so through the 1lght 10
the end, resolved to see the in)uncti""
order obcyed as best could IN nope
that production Of coal would be grad
ually resumed.
Mr.. Palmer then told Of the conference
he Ind with John Lewis and Nlliai''
Green, president and secretary-trcasurcr
Of the miners union. on December o.
which was arranged by John keegan' Oh
the department. Of labor. At thar time.
inc attorney general said, charges had
been issued against Lewis. Green anu
other officials Of the union
Was Dr. Garficld's plan considered
asked Senator Townsend.
al the conference with these gentle
men" Mr.. Palmer said. II was inform
! ed that II the men went back TO Work
! rho presidents assurance of q settlement
would be carried out. They pleaded TOT
n 81 per cent advance in wages out
said that was not my part OF the )oo'
I told them the government could not
surrender to the United Mine Workers,
and was bound to win in the END. Inc
president. the department OF justice am
the federal court had agreed
They left me at p. m. without say
ing what they were going TO do, out
came back later with Mr.. Tumulty. sec-
rotary to the president. l then read 10
them the presidents statement OF De-
cembcr 8, and they announced thcy were
ready to ncQuicsce in it.
Mr.. Palmel said that between the two
meetings he talked with Fuel Admins
traitor Garfield.
He was In accord with your attempt
TO get q settlement? Senator TOWNSEND
asked
Don't call II a settlement. senator.
Mr. Palmer replied. Il made no co'n-
promise, no concessions with the men,
except one, which was that the pres:-
dents statement OF December be WITH
held until they could give 1t 10 theF
! union yielded 10 their request on that
point"
There was no material difference be-
tween Dr. Garfcld's plan which called
for n return Of the men to work and the
creation of a consultative body TO IN
ycstiCate and report as to the facts on
which a new wage agreement might Do
arrived at and the Presidents plan.
Senator Wolcott. Delaware. question:
cd this conclusion.
II know what the President meant
, by his statement" retortcd MT. palmer.
| THE agreement with the miners was
drawn, accordingly"
Did you discuss with Green how the
commission was TO get this power OIL
| fixing wages and priccs?" asked Senator
Frelinghuyscn. Republican. New Jersey.
| chairman of the committee.
"I did not" Palmer replied.
He explained that the memorandum
| Of the agreement was drawn up on the
| train which took his party and Lewis
and Green from Washington to Indian
| npolis.
did the President approve that mem
orandum?' Senator Townsend asked
He did" Mr.. Palmer replied. !
wired the memorandum to him.
Did you submit it to Lewis ana
| Green f1rst?"
eyes"
At the request OF the committee he
inserted into the record the copI OF the
| telegram sent to the President.
Replying to a question by Senator
| Townsend as to whether ANY induce
! rnent" had been offered union officials
| which was not named in the mcmoran-
| dunn on the settlement agreement MT
! Palmer said:
/ absolutely none"
| He added that nothing had been said
as to the men to constitute the COM
| mission except that they were to be
the biggest and broadcast men We couio
| get"
MAZE CnnIsr16As MERRY.
| NJ c.IlInr cha Union Mission. II you