The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-12-26

49, 49,
been recognized and upheld, the s1-
premacy of the law has been vindI-
Gated. and a precedent OF incalculable
value has been set for the peaceful,
orderly and lawful adjustment Of In
dustrial disputes"
The Presidents Proposal.
President Wilson's proposal to the
miners as a basis for settling the
strike Is as follows:
II have watched with deep concern
the developments In the bituminous
coal strike and am convinced there
is much confusion in the minds OF
the people generally and possibly OF
both parties to this unfortunate con-
troversy as to the attitude and pur-
poses Of the government In its han
ding of the situation.
"The mine owners offered a wage
increase Of 20 per cent, conditioned,
however, upon the price of coal being
raised TO an amount sufficient to cove,
this proposed increase Of wages which
would have added at least $16O,OOO,OCO
to the annual coal bill of the people.
'The fuel administrator, in the light
Of present information, has taken the
position, and l think with entire JUS
tlication, that the public is now pay
ing as high prices for coal as 1t ought
to be required to pay and hat any
wage increase made at this time ought
TO come from the profits of the coal
operators.
Would EquaIize Wages.
"In reaching his conclusion, the fuel
administrators expressed the personal
opinion that the IA per cent increase
I'm all mine wages is reasonable. be
1t would equalize the miners
wages on the average with the cost of
living, but he made it perfectly clear
that the operators and miners are at
liberty to agree upon a larger increase,
provided the operators will pay ii out
Of their profits sc that the price OF
coal would remain the same.
""The secretary of labor, in an eff
fort ut Cancellation between the par
ties, expressed his personal opinion in
favor Of a larger increase. His efforts
at cancellation failed, however. be-
cause the coal operators were unwill-
ing to pay the scale he proposed IN
less the government would advance
the price of coal TO the public and thin
the government was unwilling to do.
"The fuel administrator had also
suggested that a tribunal be created
In which the miners and operators
would be equally represented to con-
slider further questions OF wages ana
working conditions, as well as profits
Of operators and proper prices for
coal. / shall, of course, be glad to aid
in the formation of such a tribunal.
Assured Steady Employment.
81 understand the operators have
generally agreed to absorb an in
crease Of ID per cen In wages, so that
the public would not pay to exceed the
present price fixed by the fuel adj
ministrator. and thus a way Is opened
to secure the coal of which the people
stand in need, IT. the miners Will re-
sumo work on these terms pending .
thorough investigation by an impartial
commission which may readjust both
wages and prices.
"By the acceptance Of such a plan
the miners are assured immediate
steady employment at a substantial
increase in wages and are further as
sured prompt investigation and action
upon questions which are not now set
tied to their satisfaction.
81 must believe that with a clear
understanding of these points they
will promptly return to work. If. new
ertheless. they persist in remaining on
strike, they will put themselves In an
attitude Of striking In order to force
the government to increase the price
Of coal 10 the public, so as to give a
still further increase in wages at this
time rather than allow the question OF
a further Increase in wages to be
dealt with in an orderly manner by a
fairly constituted tribunal represent
ing all parties interested.
Must Resume Work.
"No group of our people can justify
such q position. and the miners eve 1t
to themselves. their families, their
fellow workmen in other industries
and to their country to return to
work.
Immediately Upon a general re-
sumption Of mining l shall be glad to
aid In the prompt formation of such
a tribunal as l have indicated to make
further inquiries into this whole mat
ter and to review not only the reason
ableness Of the wages at which the
miners start to work. but also the rea-
sonaLleness of the government prices
for coal.
"Such a tribunal should within six
ty days make its report. which could
be used as u basis for negotiation for
a wage agreement. must make II
oloo. houyovor tbof Tho UOvorNmopt