The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-11-15
80 HOUR WEEK
IN MINES CAM 7
Be CONSIDERED
so DECLARES WILSON
TO THE CONFEREES
Both Operators and Workers
Must Make Concessions In
Wage Settlement

WASHINGTON. Nov. 14.-Demanls
of coal miners for a thirty-hour week
and a sixty percent increase in wages
and and unyiclding position by the OPP
perators, alike were declared 'impoj-
sible" by Secretary Wilson in opening
today the conference called TO bring
peace to the bituminous coal fields o.
the nation. To obtain this peace the sec
rotary proposed three plans Of proceed
urc.
Declaring that the Washington wage
agreement still is leagally in force, Mr.
Wilson told the operators and miners
that the people Of the United states
were not "ShyloCkS" and do not want
10 exact "thc technical provisions Of II
bond when the conditions under which
the bond was made have changed" lie
added that IF any great change is made
in the contract the people OF the Unite1
States arc tho ones who Will have 10
pay" and throughout his remarks eni-
phasizcd the public interest in the coal
settlement.
The Three Proposals.
The three proposals expected TO aid
the two factions in arranging the new
wage agreement were set forth by tho
Eutiatiuns through joint wage scale
committees representing all districts
second, negotiation through concurrent
sessions of committees from the various
districts. AMI third, negotiations first ot
an agreement in the central competitive
field and then Of agreements for other
fields with that of the central dtstric;
rs basis.
After hearing Secretary wilson the
conference adjourned until 10 o'clock %
morrow. to permit the miners and oper-
ators to discuss separately the plan
which would be most acceptable TO each
Indications Of q conflict on the scope
Of the agreement TO be recognition OF
volvinE the question of recognition oi
non-union workers, developed at th'
outset Of the conference and became
mort apparent in the two group meet
ings which followed.
Nationwide Conference.
Discussion in the miners caucus
which followed the conference session
hinged on lhc question whether operat-
ors representing both union and non
union hclds would be included in the
conference and the effect any agree
mcnt reached by the conference might
have IN thOSc UcluS "nSIc tHc II'hSi :
do not have contracts with the oper'
ators. Although officers Of the United
Mine Workers refused TO make any
statement following their meeting. II
was learned that .hc plan for nation
wide conference was favored. but before
any proposal is agreed to. Secretary
Wilson will be asked to make clear tc
the conference that the rights Of organ
lied labor arc to bc protected in those
districtS where the mining unions art
not recognized by tthe coal companies.
The operators. however. did not looE
with favor on any agreement covering
all fields. The Washington wage agree
mcnt, for the first time the operators
assorted, fixed the same date for the ex'
piration Of contracts between miners
and operators in all paris OF the coun'
try. Fear of the power this arrange
mcnt gives the workers TO bring about
A nationwide strike was expressed by
the operators. who indicated desire tc
return to the old plan OF hasing all wage
scale contracts on the agreement reach
cd in lhc Central competitive fields.
Owners Of mines outside Of the cen
tral competitive fields conferred before
tho opening OF the conference, and oppo'
sition was expressed to participation in
the negotiations.