Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-11-28
SPLIT IS BELIEVED
NEAR III Farley ON
NEW COAL WAGE
Fourteen Per Cent Increase
Granted Miners Not Ac-
ceptabIe- Burden Not to
Be Passed on to Consumer

erS and operators from all sections OIL
the United States were to resume
joint conferences here late today in
a final attempt to settle the strike
on the basis of the pronounoement
of Fuel Administrator Garfield.
DR.. Garfield, speaking for the gov
eminent, declared that:
1. No increase ould be permitted
in The price of coal.
2. Miners are entitled to an aver
age wage increase of IA per cent to
make wages conform with an in
crease of 1913 per cent in the cost
of living since 1913.
Both sides went into executive ses-
sion this morning to outline policies.
Complete Break Seen
The possibility of complete break
seemed not far off as the hour for
the joint conference approached.
THE miners will not return to
work on IA per cent basis" said
Edward Stewart, president of the In
diana district council Of The United
Mine Workers union.
This proposition, II carried out,
will break, will completely ruin many
mine operators who are too old to
start anew" said P. H. Penna, of the
operators association. MANY mines
will have to close down."
IF this IA per cent increase is the
offer of the government, we'll go
back home and fight it out awhile"
said President Howatt, of the Kansas
district council of miners.
Brewster Optimistic
IT can see hope Of settlement"
said President Thomas T. Brewster,
of the operators association of the
central competitive field and chair
man of the conference. Mr.. Brewster
made this statement last night just
before leaving for home to spend
Thanksgiving.
In explaining his pronouncement
on the wage question, DR.. Garfield
declared 1t is not a mandate from
the government.
IT am merely telling you what the
facts are" he said, Just as that
clock tells you the time"
DR.. Garfield delivered his message
to a joint conference OF miners and
operators that began last night a.
$3.50 p. m. and continued until nearly
midnight. He emphasized, however,,
taht that part Of the proposal deny
ing an increase in the selling price
of coal, is a mandate. Coal now is
ment in October 1917.
Operators Hope for Increase
Little attention will be given in
today"s conferences, it was :ndicat-
ed, DR.. Garfields proposal for an ad-
visory commission or miners and
operators headed by Secretary Lane
to make q continuous study Of wage
and working conditions, profits Of
operators, and coal production.
Miners and operators will not dis
cuss this, it was said, until progress
Is made with the wage question.
The operators, it was learned hope
to collect figures on profits in 1919
showing they are losing money. They
plan to present these to DR.. Garfield
with the hope of persuadtng him to
consent to an increase in selling
prices.
Reasonable Way
at seems to me that the reason
able way to deal with this situation
said United States Fuel Administers
tor Garfield, SIS to give to the in
dustry as whole an average in.
crease commensurate with the in
crease in the cost of living and then
let that amount Of increase be ap
portioned in accordance with the
wage bases that are acceptable tC
the employers and the employees.
Control. of prices by the govern
ment will be maintained for the
present.
THE present negotiation stands
by itself, but it is far from dispos-
ing Of the fundamental controversy
between operators and mine work
ers. That controversy is bound to
be a continuing one as matters now
-
and conditions in the mines, as well
as wages and profits, and the gen
eral relation between operators and
mine workers. Therefore, to aid in
applying the principles which have
governed us and which should gov
ern in reaching conclusions in the
future, it is urged that a perma-
net consultative body, with purely
advisory powers, be set UP consist
ing of the secretary Of the interior
as chairman and of an equal num-
Der of representatives of the opera
tors and of the mine workers,
chosen in such manner as they may
each determine from time to time.
In order that the data necessary for
the consideration of this consulta-
: tive body may at all times be avail
, able, it is urged that the congress
mite and trustworthy information
concerning the coal and coke indus
try and for the tabulation OF the
same in quarterly reports showing:
Information Needed
Il. Production, distribution, stor-
age and stocks of coal and coke.
2. The cost of production and
distribution and of maintaining
suitable stocks, and any other data
concerning the industry deemed nee
essary.
"3. The cost of living inthe sew
eral coal fields.
"a. The selling prices and profits
obtained by the operators, middle
men and retail dealers.
rs. Export requirements and the
conditions limiting them.
The settlement Of the present
controversy on the wage and price
basis above indicated must be con-
sidered in the light of the proposal
TO set up this permanent consulta-
tive body. While it will have pow
ers of decision, it will hardly seem
possible to a reasonable man that
in the light of it's conclusions de-
mands for exorbtant profits or I'M
reasonable wages can be success
fully maintained, or that conditions
unfayorable to the American stand
ard of living will be tolerated"
MonnU in pO+o4nnc