Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-11-22
WILSON STRIVES
To END DEADLOCK
AMONG COAL MEN
Secretary Of Labor Makes
New Move, Nature of Which
Is Not Made Public to Send
the Miners Back to WClk,

Nv No7NING % IRNtL sPE - LE'-ep wiFEl
Washington, Nov 21.-Secretary Of
Labor Wilson stepped to the front
again tonight in an effort to bring
miners and operators together after
a proposal by each side had been re-
jected and the slate wiped clean.
Mr.. Wilson is said to have formally
presented definite proposal for set
tlement of wage disputes which would
send bituminous miners back to work
before the country was in the throes
of a coal famine, but its nature was
not disclosed. 1t was generally be-
lieved he suggested a wage increase of
81 per cent.
Both sides united in asking him to
join the sub-scale committees after
the miners had definitely rejected
20 per cent wage advance, and the
operators had flatly refused to agree
to a counter-proposal from the work
ers for 40 per cent increase, seven
hour day, and six-day week with half
holiday on saturday.
When the conference adjourned af-
ter a sir-hour session, Thomas T.
Brewster, chairman of the operators
declared that their offer had been
withdrawn and that the slate was now
clean.
l'FOgFeSS ltuS lSctil NtliuG.
Secretary Wilson said that progress
had been made and that he would
meet the subcommittee again tomor-
row afternoon.
Comparative data on Increases in
the cost of living and wage advances
to miners since 1914, was submitted
by Mr.. Wilson, who declined to make
public his position, 1t was said he
proposed an increase Of approximate
ly 81 per cent the difference between
the cost of living and wage increase
figures announced by the secretary at
the opening of the conference last
week.
An ultimatum served by the opera
tors that their offer represented the
maximum, was reaffirmed tonight by
Mr.. Brewster who declared Il could
not be increased unless "the govern
ment says we should do it,"
When the conference failed to agree
on either sides proposition the opera
tors suggested referring the dispute
to arbitration, but the miners object
ed. The operators proposed tribunal
of nine members to be chosen in one
of three different ways Each side to
pick four members and the eight to
select the umpire; each side to name
four and the president Of the United
States the ninth, or each side to name
three and the other three to be chosen
by the president.
Miners Make Counter Proposal.
The counter proposition from the
miners, scaling down their earlier de-
mands, was submitted by John l..
Lewis. acting president Of the United
Mine Workers. after he had conferred
with Secretary Wilson, Mr.. Lewis
stated that the new demand for a 40
per cent wage advance for all sorts OF
work represented the margin" be-
tween the wage increases received by
the miners since 1914 and tho jump
taken hy living costs.
The mine workers also insisted that
all local differences not covered by
interstate agreement be referred back
to the districts in which they origi-
mated for settlement.
The offer of the operators as fin
ally rejected by the miners at today's
session was slightly different from tho
terms submitted yesterday, Mr.. Brew
ster said. The operators stood fast on
the amount of wage increase but
agreed to waive demands for other
changes in the present contract.