South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-21
TEXT OF PRESIDENT
WILSON'S LETTER TO
COAL COMMISSIONERS
CONTINUED PROM PAGE ONEl

ocoNrNUED FROM PAGE oNE3
merits Of the controversy. / have all
ready suggested p plan by which "a
settlement may be reached and I
hold myself in readiness az the re-
quest of either or both sides TO ap-
point al once q tribunal 20 investi-
gate all the facts with a view to aid
ing in the earliest possible orderly
settlement of the questions az issue
between the coal operators and the
coal miners TO the end that the just
rights not only of those interests
but also OF the general public may
be fully protected.
Reject Proposals
Despite my earnest appeals that
the men remain at work. the officers
OF the United Mine Workers of
America rejected all the proposals
for "A peaceful and orderly adjust
ment and declared that the strike
would go on. Accordingly at my di-
rectiOn the attorney general filed
a bin in equity in the United States
district court at indianapolis. pray
ing for an injunction TO restrain the
officers Of the United Mine Workers
or America from doing any act in
furtherance of the strike. \ restrain
ing order was issued by the court,
followed by a writ OF temporary in
junction on Nov. S. 1919. in which
the defendants were commanded 10
cancel and revoke the strike orders
heretofore issued. These strike or
ders were accordingly revoked in a
form approved by the court but the
mer did not return TO work in sufti-
GENTLY large number TO bring about
q production of coal anywhere APP
preaching normal
Restates Position.
ION Dec. 8, 1919. / issued a state
ment in which l restated the gov
ernmeuts position, appealed to the
miners 10 return 10 work and runew-
! ed my suggestion that upon the gen
| craI resumption Of mining opera
tiOns a suitable tribunal would be
/ erected for the purpose of inves-
tigating and adjusting the matters
/ I'm controversy between the operators
and the miners. This statement was
submitted To a meeting of the Of
| fcers OF the international union
/ United Mine Workers of America
/ having authority 10 take action.
which meeting adopted as it's act
memorandum prepared by the at
tOrney general and approved by me.
I cmbodying the suggestions contain
! ei in my statement Of Dec. 8. I am
/ Informed also that the operators
I have generally agreed TO the plan
/ therein outlined. I enclose for your
/ Information a copy Of my statement
/ of Dee. 8, 1919. and the memOran-
| dun just referred to.
There has now been a general
resumption of operation in all parts
I of the bituminous coal fields suffi-
/ cient to warrant the appointment OF
/ a commission such as is referred TO
in the memorandum of the attorney
\ general and I have accordingly ap-
I pointed you, Mr. Rem brandt Peale
a mine owner and operator i'm active
! business; and Mr.. John z. White. a
/ practical nHer as a commission
with the pcwers and duties as set
| forth in tho memorandum agreed TO
and adopted by the miners and OPP
orators. who conducted all the prior
/ negotiations If a REIMBURSEMENT Of
! the prices Of coal shall be found nee
essary. 7 shall be pleased 10 trans
fer 10 the commission. subject to
its unanimous action. the powers
heretofore vested i'm the fuel admin
istrator for that purpose.
Great Importance.
"I am sure il is not necessary for
me 20 call your attention TO the
tremendous Importance of the work
of this commission or the great on
portunity which il presents for last
ing service TO the coal industry and
10 the country. If the facts covering
IaH the phases of the coal industry
necessary To "a proper adjustment
OF the matters submitted TO YOU
shall be investigated and reported 20
the public. L am sure that your re-
port, nm addition to being accepted
as the basis for a new wage agree
meut for the bituminous coal miners
will promote the public welfare and
make FOR "a settled condition in the
industry. No settlement can be had
i'm this matter. permanent and last
ing i'm its benefits, as affecting either
the miners the coal operators. OF
the general public. unless the find
Igs of this body are comprehensive
iu their character and embrace and
guard at every point the public in
tcrest. To this end I deem il impor-
.