New-York tribune., 1919-10-22
Secretary Wilson Abrupt
ly Adjowns Conference
After Operators and
Employees Outline Cases
Final Decision Is
Expected To-day
Officials Discuss Meas
ures to Operate Shafts
in Event Of Walk-Out

diHerences alter a fOur-hour confer
encc to-day with Secretary OF Labor
Wilson may force the government to
step in and prevent the strike of half
million bituminous coal miners called
for November ]
Although another effort Will be made
tomorrow to bring peace TO the in
dustry, the strike tonight loomcd big
and close at hand and leaders of two
sides, speaking frankly and gravely,
said there was little hope.
Officials recalled that once during the
administrati of President Roosevelt,
when coal strike appeared certain,
miners and operators were warned that
if the mines were shut down they would
be opened Immediately and operated by
the government, with troops on guard,
if necessary, TO see that the public got
an adequate supply Of coal.
While the full scale committees, rep
resenting miners and operators, were
fighting their battles to-day behind a
closed door, strike storm ragged in
the Senate, and Federal agencies looked
up the law, firmly convinced it would
have to be invoked to save the coun-
try from untold distress and suffer
ing, with mines shut down and less
than months stock on hand to keep
fires burning.
Both Groups Reticent
Filing out of the meeting place. the
miners and operators, nearly 100 of
them, went their separate ways to dis
cuss the crisis, the former led by John
" orkers Of America, and the latter by
Thomas T. Brewster, head Of the Coal
Operators Association.
Leaders and members Of both groups
were extremely reticent. Both Brew
ster and Lewis refused to discuss the
situation beyond saying there had been
no change in the attitude of either
group
Secretary Wilson left the meeting
without giving the least intimation as
to what was in his mind as to hope of
settlement.
Senator Frelinghuysen, in a speech
miners for their "autocratic demands, /"
which he declared would, if granted,
cost the consumers more than a bill
hon dollars and result in industrial
disaster When informed Of this at
tack and of reports that the govern
ment might intervene strike leaders
said tonight that there was a bare
chance of encouraging development
TO- morrow, but that the strike order
would stand.
Wilson Convenes Meeting
The two committees, in separate
groups, filed into the assembly hall
of the Red Gross Building shortly be-
fore noon. Secretary Wilson went to
the front and without ceremony an
nounced they had been asked to, meet
and adjust their grievances. PLEAD ing
for immediate settlement'of the strike
issues, the Secretary showed how il
would affect the public, how it would
close industrial plants and stop freight
and passenger traffic because of the
limited coal stocks held by the rail
roads.
Pointing out that the matter was one
of vital concern to the people Secre-
tary Wilson explained that. as eXecu-
tive officer Of the government. intrusted
with the function Of mediation in such
disputes, he felt that every possible
! effort should be made to induce the
miners and operators to see the I'M
poNtance Of early adjustment.
Full Weight to Both Sides
The Secretary said he gave full
weight TO the statement of the opera
tors regarding contracts and to the
Z,
order and to withdrawal Of demand;
/ foS {. thirty hour week. just as she gave
weight TO the statement of the miner:
that there must be "a disposition t
really negotiate' before it would b.
worth while for them to go into con
ference.
President Lewis then spoke for thu
miners. The old wage agreement, h'
declared, had expired and the opera
tors, he charged, had refused TO con
slider a new one.
The side of the operators was pre-
scnted 70 ?. II. PcuNa. of Terre Hautc
Ind, wAo charged thaI the miners hat
No!atnd s'leir agrconlort. tiiat tho oNc
rators lad adhered 20 tne p..ro
ann practices oi collective narg:. IN,
and that .aa pn.crs wole at tault
Thcu. wit 5ut consulting the leaders
Secretary wilson suggested AT al
joHrU.rcN- anti 10 -,'i3rcov;. as cas- uai. !
ae - me conference rad planned t.
rua fer 3 weeh
No Objection 10 Adjournment
There was TO objection, neither SD
desiring 10 appear n the attitude 0
blocking peaceful efforts by voiuntar.
mediator, but miners ard operate :
alike were surprised. The genera
feeling seemed TO be that the thInj
would be fought over and settled to
day The Secretary, II WAS said. md
Gated desire to present the view
of the government after each id
had been given iul hearing
Because qIthc necessary absence o
Secretary Wilson. the strike was no
discussed at the egular cabinet meet
ing to-day. but ii was the subject o
Continued on neIt pngs