Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1919-12-17
COAL STRIKE ENDED
STRIKERS LEADERS ACCEPT Will
SONS ia PER CENT INCREASE
AND COMMISSION OFFER.
MEN TOLD TO OPEN MINES
Statement Issued by Acting President
Lewis Declares Presidents Proposal
Contained the Only Definite, Con-
crete and Practical Method of Set
Element.

Element.
indianapolis, Dec. 11.-The strike of
100000 bituminous coal mllerS OF the
country was settled here when the
general committee of the United Nine
Workers of America agreed to accept
the plan offered by President Wilson.
Acting President Lewis of the Unit
ed Mine Workers announced that tele-
graphic orders would Immediately be
sent to the 1000 miners locals
throughout the country, instructing the
miners to return to work at once. An
official order carrying the signatures
of the miners officials will follow the
Geographic instructions.
A reconvened convention of the Off
Gals of the various miners unions
throughout the country will be called
in indianapolis as soon as the work
has been fully resumed in the mines,
Mr. Lewis announced, during which
full and complete explanation of the
action of the officials in settling the
strike will be made.
Statement by Lewis.
Following is the announcement OF
the settlement of the coal strike made
public by Mr. Lewis:
'"The United Mine Workers repre-
sentatives agreed to accpet the presl-
dents proposal as a basis of settle
ment of the strike. They did so be-
cause it provides definite, concrete
and practical method by which ade-
quate consideration and a proper adj
iuStment of their claim for an increase
in wages and improved conditions OF
employment may be brought about.
The United Mine Workers have full
confidence in the president of the
United States and a profound regard
for his will and judgment.
"The presidents proposal differs
from any proposal heretofore made,
in that it leaves nothing in doubt,
SO far as plan of adjustment and
the details thereof is concerned. The
scheme proposed by Doctor Garfield
left no hope for the mine workers 9th
er than the acceptance of an increase
in mining prices of ii per cent. The
presidents proposal provides that this
amount of advance is preliminary and
that the tribunal which he will set up
will have full authority to consider
further questions of wages and work
ing conditions as well as the profits of
operators and proper prices for coal,
readjusting both wages and profits if
l. - =
that the commission will have author
ity to settle internal questions pc
culiar to each district, all of which
are of very great Importance to the
mine workers.
1.-THE commission will make its re-
port within 60 days unless some I'M
surmountable difficulties arise which
prevent it from doing it and the COM
mission will have the authority to fix
the date when any award they make
will become effective.
"The presidents plan further pro-
vides that upon a general resumption
of operations, the status quo will be
maintained that is. all mine workers
will return TO work with an increase
in wages amounting to IA per cent
upon the same basis which obtained on
October 81, 1919. Neither operators
nor miners will be allowed to change
the basis and no discrimination by the
coal operators will be permitted
st was these specific features of
the presidents proposition which
made it acceptable to the international
officers of the United Mine Workers
when submitted to them through the
attorney general and Secretary Tu-
multy in Washington on Saturday, De
cember g.
''We are accepting the president at
his word, feeling confident that he
will appoint a tribunal composed of
fair minded men who will give full
and complete recognition to the jus
tice of the mine workers claims"
Palmer Issues Statement.
The following statement was issued
by Attorney General Palmer on the
settlement of the coal strike:
1.-THE coal strike is settled as the
government wanted it settled. When
Messrs. Lewis and Green came to see
me Saturday / restated what the gov
ernment's position had been from the
beginning and insisted on their ac-
quiescence.
''They finally agreed to 1t. They
have now persuaded the officers of
their organization that the situation
calls for compliance with the courts
I'D
and l am certain that all the miners
in the country will cheerfully ac-
quiesce in the decision of their lead
ers.
II desire to publicly commend the