New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-12-21

board of arbitration for determine
tion and to continue the operation of
the mines pending the decision of the
board
Subsequently, on October rs, 1919,
issued statement in which said
that a strike in the circumstances
therein described "is not only unjus-
Unable. it is unlawful" and added:
II express no opinion on the merits
OF the controversy. l have already
suggested plan by which a settle
ment may be reached and hold my
self in readiness, at the request of
either or both sides, to appoint at
once tribunal to investigate all the
Facts, with view to aiding in the
earliest possible orderly settlement
OF the questions at issue between the
coal operators AID tie coal miners.
to the end that the just rights, not
only OF those interests, but also of
the general public may be fully pro-
tected.
Presidents Appeal Rejected
Despite my earnest appeals that
the men remain at work, the officers
of the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea rejected all the proposals for a
peaceful and orderly adjustment and
declared that the strike would go on.
Accordingly, at my direction, the At
torney General filed bill in equity
in the United States District Court
at Indianapolis, praying for an in
junction to restrain the officers of the
United Mine Workers of America
from doing any act in furtherance
Of the strike. A restraining order
was issued by the court, followed by
q writ of temporary injunction on
November 8, 1919, in which the de-
PENDANTS were commanded to cancel
and revoke the strike orders there
tofore issued. These strike orders
were accordingly revoked in form
approved by the court, but the men
did not return to work in sufficiently
large number to bring about a pro-
duction of coal anywhere approach
ing normal.
On December 6. 1919, I issued a
statement in which | restated the
governme nt's position, appealed to
the miners to return to work and re-
newed my suggestion that upon the
general resumption of mining opera
tions suitable tribunal would be
erected for the purpose of investi-
eating and adjusting the matters in
controversy between the operators
and the miners. This state irent was
submitted to a meeting of the off,
GERS of the international Union of
the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea, having authority to take action,
which meeting adopted as its act
memorandum prepared by the At
torney General and approved by me
embodying the suggestions contained
in my statement Of December 6. /
am informed, also, that the operators
have generally agreed to the plan
therein outlined. I inclose for your
information a copy of my statement
of December 6, 1919, and the memo
randum just referred to.
Increased Power Suggested
There has now been general re-
sumption of operation in all parts of
the bitumnous coal fields sufficient
to warrant the appointment of a
commission such as is referred to
in the memorandum of the Attorney
General, and | have accordingly ap-
pointed you, Mr.. Rembrandt Peale,
a mine owner and operator in active
business, and Mr. John P White, a
with the powers and duties as set
forth in the memorandum agreed to
and adopted by the miners and ope
rators who conducted all the prior
negotiations. If a readjustment of
the prices of coal shall be found
necessary, shall be pleased to
transfer to the commission, subject
to its unanimous action, the powers
heretofore vested in the Fuel Ad
ministrator for that purpose.
am sure it is not necessary for
me to call your attention to the
tremendous importance of the work
of this commission, or the great OPP
portunity which it presents for last
ing service to the coal industry and
to the country. If the facts covering
all the phases of the coal industry
necessary to q proper adjustment of
the matter submitted to you shall be
investigated and reported to the
public | am sure that your report,
in addition to being accepted as the
basis for new wage agreement for
the bituminous coal miners, will pro
mote the public welfare and make
for a settled condition in the in
dustry. No settlement can be had
in this matter, permanent and last
ing in its benefits, as affecting either
the miners, the coal operators or the