New-York tribune., 1919-10-25

keep the mines of cur country in
operation.
Public Interest Paramount
after all, the public nteress in
this vital mater is the paramount
consideration OF the government and
admits of no other action than that
Of consideration OF A peaceful settle
nIent CT the matter as suggested by
you. If for any reason the miners
snd operators fail to come TO a mu
tual understanding the interests Of
the public are Of such vital mpor-
taIlce in connection with the produc-
tion Of coal that it is incumbent upon
them to refer the matter in dispute
70 board Of arbitration for deter
nination snd to continue ths opera
tion Of the mines pending tie de-
eision Of the board"
Both sides insisted 1t WAS the fault
nf .he other that the Presidents offer
hac not been accepted.
i.s a command" said T. T. T -ew ter Of
inc Coal Operators Association, as he
left the conference. "We we're ready
20 negotiate and arbitrate any matters
If dispute which could not be settled
by negotiation The miners refused
70 agree to any arbitration or to can
tel the etrike order. There wss moth
ing more lvs could do. we accepted the
pres'ent's offer as coming from the
American people"
Lewis Blames Employers
Here Is what Mr.. Lewis said at the
door Of the conference room:
"fhe Presidents proposition, as we
understand it, reaffirmed the sugges-
tion Of Secretary Wilson that We agree
10 enter into conference without
reservation. Having in mind the best
interests OF our people, the miners
formally accepted that proposition.
The operators Interpretation held that
Z involved arbitration.
1--WE accepted the sugge stion to go
into conference immediately. for nego-
tiation. The operators bolted the rlee,-
ing and withdrew without the consent
If che Secretary They took French
leave. Wo have made every honest en-
deavor 10 avert the catastl ophe that
Will be imposed on The people by coal
etrike. The responsibility is not ours.
We disclairr the responsibility. We are
perfectly willing to enter into neeots-
atoms. The strike will occur November
l. The strike order stands"
Secretary Wilson's View
Secretary Wilson made this state
nent:
"'The operators agreed to accept the
proposition Of the President in its en-
tlrety and proceed TO negotiate and If
trey failed TO come to conclusion tc
submit TO arbitration, the mines TO be
continued in operation pending ar ad.
tustment.
"i ne miners interpreted The lette,
Of the President TO mean two separate
propositions-they were willing tt
aceept the Arst--that is. proceed t.
negotiate. Tho operators said tha
having expressed willingness Il
accept the proposition in It's entiret,
they held themselves ready to proceed
70 do 30, to negotiate and arbtrat,
whenever called upon to do 50 by tht
secretary Of Labor or the miners scale
committee, ard with tina. statener'
they withdrew. The miners remained
ana expressed regret that negotiations
could not De proceeded with, but de-
cilned 10 90 further tnan proceed Wltf
negotiations until it had been dc
sermined whether the result Of the
negotiations would be successful or un.
successful"
Lewis Blamcs Operators
Following the breaking I'm ~ tba no,.
Terence the following. statement cr he.
aalf OF the United Mine Workers oi
Ameriea nu,i was authorized by Mr.. Lewis:
=. Wnen the coal operators walked out
81 Ihs Conference with Secretary "a
hsnor wilson In such an ahruot dis.
s,oou'teous ,o, and osensive manner the,
r.n e&sct'y what they set out del;ber.
y 70 40 IN the hrst plsce-- the,
tofced the btturninous coal minors n,
shs United States 10 strike rbe 80, 81
!'ors proved by their action thai he,
did not woht and did not insenI :.
MAKE neT wage agreement with N,
miners. That thu operator were full,
determined from the start 10 preven
The making. OF new agreen mt VA
known TO the miners, but the miner
~efe hopeful throughout that come
hing might develop that might brpal
down the stone-wall attitude of IN,
operators and result IN ncrotiation
Iime after time in the conference
st Buffalo, az philadelphia and !,
washington, the miners offered 70 en-
tsr into negotiations with the opera
tnfs Ior the making Of an agreement
mat would have protected the publ,
nSasost inconvenience and possible suf
fsrinx. O''''N'' " y
offered to Negotiate
Ths miners offered In tho eonfc~.
once with Secretary Wi.son and the
operstoss u enter upon negotiations
@i,hous reservations Of any lind. nth
s.ncere desire TO negotiaec t. con.
sTact. Dut the operators fntiy refuaed
g 90 20 This position on the parf Of
mo operators was something entirely
new ard extraordinary. because H. wAs
'hs nsss time In the history Of tho re.
shIons petTeen operators md mine rs
mat cithar side refused 20 negotiate
Therefore, ws cnarge that tto fu,1
responsibility for whatever may bs ~
'esu!t Or tho +onsegpenees must rest
%" 'hs opera sors, because Of tier