The Washington times., 1919-11-26
TRY TO END COAL
DISPUTE TODAY
'ettIement Within Few Hours
Looms as Cabinet Goes
Into Session.
Continues from First Paee.)

Continued from First Page.)
will be the data gathered by the
.jeral Trade Commission, which re-
ives Al 900 reports monthly for the
npilation OF its data.
II has become evident that a per-
anent settlement of the soft-coal
tuation can only be brought about
ter the Government is in possession
all the facts relating to cost of
oduction, margins, and for this
lson it is believed an inquiry will
e hastened.
Operators to Stay.
Operators from the bituminous coal
eldss made known their determine
on this morning to remain In WASH
gton until the Presidents Cabinet
eaks it's deadlock over the strike
I'D wage agreement situation, and
cides upon a policy w.1ich may gov
the operators and miners in car
ing on further negotiations in the
after.
Disappointed over the deadlock of
te Cobinet, they prepared to go into
,ecutive session at noon wheR~a
finite line of action will probably
decided upon
Meanwhile. Acting President Lewis
I'd his associates on the subcommit-
e, attempting to make new wage
ale, gathered in the conference
1om at the Washington Hotel at 10
clock. A few operators strolled in.
ere was a perfunctory exchange of
reetings. and the assembly broke
,. The situation in the Cabinet was
OF mentioned.
Matters Con.plicafeA.
The failure of the Presidents Cabi-
1T TO come to an agreement on the
after of policy was generally re-
rrded by the operators as being due
feeling aroused by the telegram OF
ormer Secretary Of the Treasury
cAdoo to Secretary. Of Labor Wilson,
,cusing the operators of getting big
offs before the Government fixed
,al prices two years ago.
While official statements in the
ltter were confined to the telegram
reply sent to Mr.. McAdoo. it was
nerally conceded that his action had
eatly complicated matters. particu-
rly. in the Cabinet and placed the
orators in the position where they
II have to insist upon an arbitra-
IN board, chosen by responsible
thority, as a medium before which
,ir figures and statistics may be pre-
tied in refutation of the allegations.
THE frst half of 1917 was a rum
way year in the coal market, said
hartman Brewster. "That IL quite
ell known in Industrial circles. But
,e Government In August, through
ne action of the President. nxed
ost-plus prices on coal, which pre-
allied until February Of this year.
Ne. DeAnite Policy.
While realizing the seriousness of
he coal shortage because of the
trike, the operators are without a
finite policy as to what they Will
o. Their. case. as they stated II, Is
in the hands of the Federal Govern
ent" 1t is their determination to
main in Washington until some
hing is done, but their attitude in
lie matter has something of the as
ect of seeking a sheltered Cliff in a
torn. The Federal Government ap-
'arSptly is the strongest protection
gSRnst the adverse conditions that
re rapidly springing up in all of the
tates where the pinch OF coal scare
ty is becoming acute.
The point of difference in the Cabf-
let is on Secretary Wilson'S figures
s to the increases which should be
-ranted the miners. 1t is understood
hat the Cabinet has accepted the Ser
etary's figures as to the increased
ost of living, but ther is som dispute
S to whether his statistics as to the
necessary increases are just to both
he operators and the public