Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-28
MINERS LEADERS
. REFUSE PROPOSAL
FOR ARBITRATION
Operators Notify DR.. Gar
field of Acceptance of
His Offer.
LEWIS SAYS ID PER CENT
TENDER COLOSSAL BLUNDER
Says He Will Not Be Responsible
for Disturbances Which
May Follow.
QUICK NDER MADE
Fuel Administrator Says Govern.
mcnt Will Keep Ordcr-NIay
Mean Federal Operation.
QUICK NDER MADE
Fuel Administrators Says Govern.
mcnt Will Keep Ortlcr-NIay
Mean Federal Operation.
Try Universal Service !

tRy Universal Servicc.I
"ASilNGTON. Nov. 27.--The confer
ence between the coal miners and the
operators broke up today without
reaching any settlement OF the wage
controversy
inc miners unanimously rejected the
government proposal made by DR..
GARFIELD at the direction OF the Cabi-
net Tor "a II per cent wage increase
without increasing the price Of coal
lhis rejection was made after the
operators had announced that they
would accept the governments suEEcs-
ton for settlement
The operators also notified DR. Car
hcid OF their acceptance, hut pointed
OUT mat 10 increase wages without in
nrras'hS the selling price would eimi-
mate the prohts of a large number Of
mines. and seriously affect production.
Ihcy said they would rely upon the
government to make later adjustments
III prices TO remedy this.
Miners Refuse Arbitration.
The operators then renewed their
puer OF submitting the dispute to "a
board OF arbitration, but this was 1e-
FUSED by the miners. On motion OF
adjourned sine die.
The miners said that they were
soing home to "sit tight" While sew
era era! OF the operators expressed a hope
that something might yet be done TO
renew negotiation nothing could be
found IN the situation tonight TO JUS
tifS this sanEuinc view.
Inc breaking up of tho conference
puts the coal situation directly UP to
me government in more serious way
man ever 1t is now matter for the
consideration OF the Cabinet, which will
meet again tomorrow.
Garfield Has Nothing to Add.
Sfof
Garheld said tonight that he had moth
inS to add to the statement he made
last night when he laid the govern
mcnt proposals before the operators
would be here tomorrow. which rncans
that he will be available at the Cabinet
rOeetinE.
Secretary of Labor Wilson, whose
proposition that the miners should
nave been offered raise OF 3i.6 ner
g. sent 1,;nN was ,1,I turned down by his fellow
had no comment TO make on the failure
of the coal conference to reach a set-
tlement.
John L. Lewis. president of the
United MINI Workers. said after tho
conference ended:
In my judgment DR.. Garfield and
the ca 6inet have committed the most
tory OF our nation. They are blindly
following an academic theory without
regard to justice to the mine workers
people of the country"
Lewis Makes No Forecast.
Mr.. Lewis said that the action OF
me government prccludcd any posi-
eiiity OF negotiations between the
onerh'orS %nMia sand and the mine workers lie
would make no statement as 10
whether tho present strike" would
continue 10 be effective.
Asked as TO what would now happen
in the outlying districts. MIR. Lewis
said:
II cannot be responsible for any fur.
the government may bring"
When Dr. GARFIELD was told OF this
he said:
The government will keep order"
Various representatives OF the miners
expressed the opinion that the miners
who are now out would not return to
work until Il settlement is reached
Other Miners Mny Quit.
The operators were unable to de-
clare what should be done to remedy
the situation. They said that tho
hreakins. up of the conference would
to work, but said that 1t also might
result IN others going out
The operators admitted that there
had been fears that the Strike" would
spread 10 the outlying districts, and
that 1t also might involve the anthra-
cite mines.
Questioned as 10 whether the gov
crhineht, At thiS 1uncture, might decide
to operate the mines, the operators
pointed out that DIR. Garheld's remarks
last night indicated that the govern
ment is opposed to taking over the
mines except as a last resort
The operators said that the govern.
ment might designate them as it's
agents TO operate the mines, but
pointed out that this would amount to
the same thing as government opera
ton.
Workers-Prime Necessity.
Under any circumstances. the oper,
tors said, operation OF the mines would
require men. and the problem would
be TO obtain enough men to work them
The letter sent to Dr. Garfield by the
operators of the central competitive
soal iictd, accepting the governments
offer read:
Recognizing the seriousness OF the
present crisis and the urgent need OF
the country for coal, we wish to ad-
wise You that. subject to your approval
ana conditioned upon the mines re.
summing operations immediately, the op-
orators scale committee OF the central
coal field accept as n basis
Tor the settlement OF tho present wage
and termination OF the
strikc, the figures submitted by YOU 10
the joint meeting OF operators and
miners held Yesterday evening namely y
an average increase OF I! pcr cent 20
pc granted TO all classes of mine labor