Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-23
Day of Maneuvering
Ends in Passing
Buck" to u. S.
MINERS CONSENT
WILSON TERMS
Operators Claim They
Can't Unless Govern
ment Is Responsible.

ment Is Responsible.
settlement of the soft coal strike
compromise proposal advanced by
Secretary of Labor Wilson. provided
the government instructs the oper-
ators to accept the proposal and au-
thorizes an increase in the price OF
coal sufficient to cover the increased
cost of production.
That was the situation in which the
negotiations stood last night after a
day of maneuvering for advantage
the government was outmaneuvered
in practically every play.
The miners, after a show of hest
fancy and with an air of sacrifice, an
nounced that they would accept the
Wilson terms. The operators, profess
ing an iron resolve to protect the in
terests of the public, declared they
never. never would agree to so great
an increase in wages-unless the gov
eminent took the responsibility. Which
meant. Of course, unless the govern
ment, to prevent the disaster of abso-
Lutte depletion Of the nations bitumi-
nous coal supply, sanctioned a CORE
spending increase in the price of coal.
Fear Protest by Public.
In their announcement the oper-
ators said the public would not stand
for an advance above their offer of
Is cents per ton to coal diggers and
20 per cent to day .laborers, the op-
orators asserted. They refused to
make further overtureS or even to re-
instate their proposition. which was
withdrawn. following the deadlock
Friday, unless the government
through the fuel administration. "as-
sumed responsibility for the added
burden to theSnation's fuel bill"
The operators are prepared to leave
the entire situation in the hands of
the government unless DR.. Garfield
can find a way out of the difficulty.
their spokesman announced. No joint
meeting of the sub-scale committee
was held yesterday.
DR.. Garfield notified the mine owners
that he would not meet their COM
mittee, of which Thomas T. Brews-
ter is chairman, until after he has
consulted tomorrow with Attorney
General Palmer, Director General
Hines and Judge C. b. Ames, assistant
attorney general. 1t was considered
likely that the negotiations might
have to go over until after the cabi-
net meeting Tuesday, when, it was ex-
ha aly IN
operation before the threatening coal
famine brings disaster will be worked
out.
Operators Make Objection.
Operators representatives authorized
the statement that in their opinion
figures on which Secretary Wilson
based his proposal. showing living
costs in the coal regions, were par
tisan. The Secretary told the sub
scale committee Friday that he did
not speak for the government, it was
said
DR.. Garfield is said to have told in
dividual operators that the offer made
by them is as large as present con-
ditions justify.
John l. Lewis. president of the
United Mine Workers, last night
charged the operators with criminal.
Iy delaying the negotiations. through
conspiracy" on the part of power.
full interests" including both mine
owners and others, who have beer
openly opposing a settlement"
Following a two-hour session of the
miners, Mr.. Lewis announced that the
workers had accepted Secretary Will
sons proposal. This proposition, sub
mitted last Friday. as made public
yesterday by Mr.. Wilson, provided fol
fat increase in mining rates of 27.1e
cents per ton, fiat increase in DAY
wages of s1.5S and an increase in
yards and dead work Of 31.61 per cent
Mr.. Lewis also announced that the
miners stood on their counterpart
posal for a seven-hour day, a Satur.
day half holiday and reference of al
internal disputes back to the districts
in which they originated for settle
ment.
Some of the operators, including
members of the scale committee o
the central competitive field, Mr.
Lewis said, have indicated a willing
ness to make a separate treaty o.
peace" without waiting for concert
ed action. He said he had agreed t
sign separate contracts.
Explaining his suggested wage ad
vances, Secretary Wilson said h.
based his calculations on an increas,
Of 1913 per cent in the cost of livinl
in three bituminous mining towns
since December. 1914. The increase o
2712 cents per ton was arrived at b.
averaging the balance needed TO max,
the Pittsburgh and Hooking Vale.
pick mining rates equivalent to tn
increase in the cost of living, will
the margin on the same basis in tn
DanviIle and Indiana fields.
Operators attacked Mr.. Wilson's fig
ures on the ground that from so t,
80 per cent of mining in the centra
competitive field is by machine. Cal
culated on a basis of machine mining
Mr.. Wilson's proposal would mean ;
wage raise of 1lS per cent, they said
The Secretary's suggestion of 31.6
per cent increase in the day wag
would mean an increase over 191
Of 1917 per cent they added.