The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-11-25

w
X ASen hase. been sarAgEinx on foi
s 13evaa days without result.
vi This became definitely known 70.
sni9ht when Harry A. GARFIELD. United
Gkates fuel administrator, called IN.
As6reeAtors and miners together ana
I{eaA down certain principles which ne
AID were governing him and nis as
N~sDciatAs In reckoning wage increases
"a rr4ces In the coal industry
DR. GARFIELD said that the rrfnci-
4 nles which were unaccom panied by
ANY nrures. should likewise govern
the operators and the miners In reach
iv,w an agreement He told them that
AFTER the cabinet meeting tomorrow
hey would be given something more
3sAnite.
This means that the government
through the cabinet IL ready TO tel
the miners and the operators just
how much Of an increase IN wages she
consuming public viii stand. and that
having done this, tho operators ana
miners will be expected TO reach an
agreement without further delay, so
tina, normal production Of coal may
We resumed,
Or. GARFIELD called the operators to-
sether after having spent the greater
mart Of the day in conference with
Attorney General Palmer and Direc-
sov-Cyeneral Of Railroad Hines. going
over the situation. His principles are
taken 10 be virtually those OF the ina
sarity Of The cabinet
pr. Garfield told the operators
and the miners that the pubic
must not be asked TO pay more
sor coal than necessary 10 pro
vide reasonable wages and rea-
.orahte r.eAr Ee reinforced
this by declaring that the public
will not pay the increase over
= normal profits allowed during
y, the war for the purpose Of stin1u-
lasirg production
y He injected "a new principle INTO
INC conference. THAT the needs Of the
United States were not only 70 be- con-
riecred bat also those Of Europe.
DR. Ca~fieid's announcements Of
principles was:
1.-THE public must not be asked
10 nay more than II Ia now paying
for coal unless II rs necessary TO do so
In order 20 provide reasonable wages
% the mine workers and g rcaSona hle
profit 70 the operators
e''-~The arrangement entered into
between The operators. the mine
workers and the fuel administrator.
with the sanction Of the president OF
the United States in october 1917.
WAS intended TO equalize the wages
Il all classes Of mine workers and
n he sulff1cie Mt TO cover the period Of
ghe war. hut not beyond March 81,
1874 hence the only increase in cost
Of living which can now be considered
the increase above that provided for
ny the average increase in 1917: that
is IN say. thn average total increase in
psy over the 1918 base, which was
he base considered in 1917, should
act exceed She present average in
srease In the COS; OF living over the
same base. II Is aaiso To be con-
ss1ered that the cost OF living will fall
rather than rise during the next few
years.
EFFECT OF MAXIMUM
"s~-The maximum prices fxed by
he government or coal in 1917 were
calculated ~ increase production OF
coal for war purposes. Coal was
basic and the increase imperative.
The public ought not TO he asked to
pay and will not now pay the increase
over normal profits than. allowed for
.he purpose ot stimulating production,
Y AMY increase in wages now ar
~fved at on the basis of the foregoing
principles should he borne by the
operators or the public or both as
may be determined by the applica-
lion OF these principles and should
lake effect ms Of the date when the
men return TO work. So
.'5-~The needs Of the United States
are not alone TO be considered;
Europe is In desperate need OF coal
and should have all we can spare"
Following Br. Garfield's announce
mcnt an adjournment of the joint
conference was taken Immediately.
The operators then went into execu-
.ive session The miners said they did
not expect 10 meet again until tomor-
row morning The operators an
nounced three times today that they
would have a statement but finally
said that none would be made until
tomorrow.
Or. Garheids third principle that
that the only increase in cost Of iiv
ing which can naw be- considered h
the increase above that provided for
by the average increase in 1917 was
interpreted differently by members
n the opposing groups. The miners
Mid that the statement supported
secretary Of Labor Wilson'S offer of
5ls per cent increase which has
s,Ten accepted .tsx tbs. miners. ".>,.so'
ne pPEfhApES NHit AtthA tJf War
fields enunciation OF principles when
read in connection With the economic
facts supported their maximum offer
of 20 per cent, and meant that the
government could not take the re-
sponsibiiity OF approving higher Of
fer
Taken I'm connection with Or Gar
feld's earlier presentation OF govern
ment data on the coal industry. how
.vnr his principles. IL Is generally ac-
cepted incline to the lower figure
rather than to the 81 offered by Sec
retarv Wilson.
Operators who were asked tontgh,
what the government could do in case
the negotiations failed said that the
Lever act gave the government full
powers tn take over and operate tho
mines. They also said that the gov
eminent could designate the opera
sors ar Its agents and through them
operate the mines.