Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-10-24
WILSON s APPEAL
To COAL D|CGERS
AND BAR0NS MAY
AVERT A WALKOU7
Secretary of Labor Clutches at
a Slender Thread, But i
May Prevent Strike of 500,-
600 Miners Nov. |,
TWO SIDES ARE BROUGHT
TOGETHER UNTIL TODAY
Long Pleading With the Fac
tons to Consider the Rights
of the Public Is Thought to
Have Made Impression,
nr ~o.s'"e JOURNAL spse,', ,sAsso ~,"sl

IBr MORNING JOURNAL sPscihI I1Asso VlHEl
Washington, Oct ga dramatic
appeal by Secretary of Labor Wilson,
himself miner, prevented an open
break tonight between miners and ops
orators. almost ready to so home after
failing to settle the strike of 100000
soft coal miners set for ten days
hence.
1t was near the end of a long and
heated session at which the miners
formally rejected one plan of settles
ment and refused TO arbitrate wages,
that the secretary, taking hold of a
slender thread, brought the two sides
together and kept them there for am
other conference tomorrow.
As members of the two groups
weary after three days of argument
and wrangling, left the meeting place,
they refused TO hazard an opinion as
to whether the strike could be averted.
In some quarters, however, there
was more hopeful view than hereto
fore. Secretary Wilson, bit hoarse
after long pleading with the factions
for consideration of the public's rights,
actually seemed cheerful. Much or
this feeling was due to the fact that
he had persuaded the warning factions
to make another attempt to restore
peace at the very moment they were
ready to quit,
'The miners rejected and the opera
tors neither rejected nor accepted my
first proposal for settlement of their
troubles" Secretary Wilson said to-
night. They now have before
them for consideration a proposition
submitted by me that they so into con-
ference with each other without res
ervation as If no demands had been
made or refused, having in mind the
interests of their respective groups.
1.-THE miners are willing to do that;
ana the operators are willing provided
the Strike ordss Is Withdrawn"
John l.. Lewis, president or the
United Mine Workers of America,
leading from the conference room
group of his men, said
"The strike order stands
Thomas l.. Brewster head OF the
coal operators association, leaving the
meeting with a party of his associates,
stopped long enough to say:
'Sye are Just where we started.
But out of the mass of conflicting
claims there seemed a better chance
tonight that Secretary Wilson might
be able to bring the miners and opera
tors together,
All efforts to have the two sides ar
bitrate their differences fell down.
MIR. Wilson explained that early in the
meeting the operators proposed To
submit the question of increased
wages, after expiration of the present
contract to a board of arDitration.
only the question OF wages was to be
considered, but Lewis rejected 1t.
I'm the language of Judge Gilbert
II. Gary ] cannot discuss arbitration
at this time shouted Lewis and the
talk turned in other directions.
Arbitration Plan Rejected.
Mr.. Wilson, of his own accord,
suggested formally that all the ques-
tions in dispute be submitted to arbi-
tration, but both sides rejected IT SO
quickly that it looked as If they haa
reached the real end of attempts 10
bring about peace,
All the time, however, Mr.. Wilson
was breaking into the discussions with
pleas for the people, for some Thought
of their rights, with grim word pic
ture ofkwhat would come with the
shutting down of mines and half the
country short of coal. Then, speaking
quietly, he laid his new proposal be
fore the conference urging miners
turn with an inclination and willing
ness to give and take.
The groups separated, Lewis leading
one and Brewster the other, ana Tor
half an hour they talked low anu
earnestly. Finally 1t was agreed TO
meet jointly with the secretary to-
morrow morning.
The troubles were explained in al
word by Mr., Wilson, who SAID the
principal difficulty was to get miners
and operators TO proceed Whole
heartedly TO negotiation of new wage
agreement.
Lewis had concluded a fiery speech
in which he charged the operators
with full responsibility for the IN
dustrial catastrophe" when he turned
to Secretary Wilson, sitting between
the groups, and declared
"As far as the miners are concerned
we are ready to go home tonight we
recognize the futility of the situation