The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-10-22

Glcd into tho assembly hall Of tn" Red
cross building and sat down shortly be
Core ncor while Secretary Wilson went
90 III. front and without ceremony an
n"unccd N.at they had mot To adjust
their grievances. Pleading for !inln"-
dat" settlement Of the strike. the sec
rotary shaved how il would ah'"t the
public. low It would close Industrial
plants aud stop freight and passenger
traffic because # tn" limited coal
stocks held hy III" railroads.
OF Vital Concern.
Pointing out that the matter was one
uf vital concern IL the people. Secrc-
;ary Wilson explained that rs executive
officer Of the government Entrusted
with the function Of mediation IN such
disputes he felt that every possible
effort should be made to induce the
miners and operators 10 see tho i'm
por:ancc Of carly adjustment. The
a, secretary said h. gave full weight to
tho statement Of the operators regard
ing contracts and TO the importance Of
resembling the strike order and TO
withdrawal of demands for n thirty
hour week just as he gave weight TO
the statement Of the miners that there
. must he "a disposition 10 really ncEo-
iiaic." before it would be worth while
Tor them to go into conference.
President Lewis then spoke for III"
miners. The old wage agreement. no
declared had expired and the operators
h" charged had refused TO consider a
new one.
Tho Operators Side.
Ti, sid, Of tn" operators was pre-
scented 10y T. ~. Jenna. Of r"rrc lIaute.
. Indiana. who charged that IN" miners
hG Violated their agreement. that Tn"
nr"rators had adhered to tho principles
; and practices Of collective bargaining
+ nnd that the unions were at fault.
Then without consulting the leaders.
! Secretary Wilson suggested an i'd
+; journmcnt until tomorrow. ne casually
as if the conference had planned to run
! for n week.
There was no objection. neither side
desiring ro appear in the attitude OF
blocking peaceful efforts by a voluntary
/ mediator, br; miners and operators
: nike were surprised Tho general feel
ing seemed 10 be that the thing would
nc fought over ant settled today. The
secretary. it was said, indicated de-
sire to present tho views Of the govern
, mem after Zach side hal been given Il
full hearing.
/. Looking Up Precedeuts.
Because cf the I"CrsSHr. absence OF
, Secretary Wilson tho strike Was not
discussed at tho regular cabinet mcet-
ing today, but it was the subject OF
serious discussion among officials gen
. orally Some Of them searched the
records to sec what action was taken
in similar disturbances. but everything
| was held in aheyanCc until il was de-
tcrmincd whether Mr.. Wilson's concili-
alton efforts would bear fruit
Officials recalled that once during the
: administration Of President Roosevelt.
! when a coal strike appeared certain,
miners and operators were warned that
ic the mines were shut down they
would he Immediately opened and opcr'
at"d by the government with troops on
, guard If necessary. to sec that the pup
/ lie got an adequate supply OF coal.
Will End Today.
Ec-cstablishmcnt of the fuel admin
! isrration which ceased TO function last
; spring also was discussed by officials.
= II was cuntcndcd that the food control
net gave the government full power TO
| require tho miners tn remain At Work
pending adjustment of demands.
1t was not thought tonight that tho
| conference would continue in session
| after tomorrow. All government
! rlans waited therefore. until its close
with full expectation should no re-
suits be obtained. the government
; through congress or other agencies
would step in and keep the mines In