Arizona republican., 1919-12-21
UNLIMITED POWER
 MA Y BE VESTED IN
 COAL COMMISSION
Wilson Says He Will Trans fer Power of Fuel Direc- tor if Found Necessary Operators Deny They Ac- cept Settlement Plan

WASHINGTON. Dec. 20.-Coincident t tonight with President Wilson's ap- pointment of the commission of three to carry out the government plan for settlement of the bituminous coal strike, the executive committee of the Bituminous Coal Operators associa- ton issued a statement flatly denying that the operators had agreed to or been consulted in regard to the settle ment terms.
 The operators denial was aimed spe- officially at a statement contained in Mir. Wilson's identical letter to the three commissioners he has selected, Henry M. Robinson, Pasadena, Cali fornia, representing the public; John P. White, representing the miners, and Rembrandt Peale. of Pennsylvania, representing the operators, that the operators well miners had agreed to and adopted" the governments pro- posal.
 Palmer Replies
 IL was met by a statement from At torney General Palmer declaring it would be "an amazing repudiation Of their own statements' if the operators now failed to accept the settlement plan.
 The presidents announcement and the statements from the operators and the attorney general. which came on it's heels. followed day of conference between MT. Palmer and representa- tives of the mine owners and also meeting of the operators executive committee. No official word came from either side to the nature of these however. although it was apparent that the presidents an- nouncement was expected at the White House to be issued at any moment and no reason for the delay was disclosed. Later developments were said, in some
 
 been endeavoring to induce the opera plans.
 In his letter to MT. Robinson the president reviewed the coal strike situ ation and the various fruitless efforts made to arrive at settlement before his own plan was proposed and adopted by the miners. MT. Wilson said he had been informed that the operators have generally agreed to the plan and told the commissioners that if. in their judgment after a full eNamina- ton of the facts" q readJustment or the price of coal shall be found neces- sary, he would clothe them with the powers now vested in the fuel admin istration to carry out that judgment This grant of power will be given, how ever. the president added. only in the event of unanimous decision by the as to its findings
 Public Must Be Protected
 Production has now been resumed at the mines, Mir Wilson said. on a sufficient scale to warrant appoint ment of the commission to make eff fective terms Of the governments pro- posals. He warned the commissioners. however. that while their decision as to new wage scale for the coal min CTS would. he was sure, be accepted as q. basis for an agreement in the coal fields which would promote public vel fare. no lasting benefit could come of a settlement that did not guard at every point the public interest It was for this reason MT Wilson said. that 1 the requirement. of unanimous decis- | ions was imposed.
 The president informed the com l missioners that on their acceptance, 1 he would call a meeting of the com (Continued on Page 13 Second Section) |