Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1919-11-15

Wilson's Program.
The three proposals expected to aid
the two factions IN arranging the new
wage agreement were set for the day
by the labor secretary as follows:
First-Negotiatien through joint wage
scade committees representing all dis
tricts.
Second Negotiation through concur
rent sessions Of committees from the
various districts. and
Third-Negotiation first. of an agree
ment in the central competitive field and
then of agreement for other fields with
that Of the central district as basis.
Prompt Signs of Conflict.
After hearing Secretary Wilson the
conference adjourned until 8 o'clock to-
morrow to permit the miners and opera
tors to discuss separately the plan which
would he most acceptable to each.
Indication of a conflict on the scope
of the agreement TO be negotiated, ln-
volving question of participation of non
union workers developed at the outset of
the conference and became more appar
ent in the two group meetings which fol-
lowed.
Miners Want All In.
Discussion of the miners caucus
which followed the conference session
hinged on the question whether operators
representing both union and non union
fields would oe included in the confer
ence. and the effect any agreement
reached by the conference might have in
those fields where the miners do not
have contracts with the operators. AL
though officers of the United Mine
Workers refused to make any statement
following the meeting, it was learned
that the plan for a nationwide confer
ence was favored, but before any pro-
posals are agreed to- Secretary Wilson
viii be asked to make clear to the con-
ference that the rights of the unions are
to be protected in those districts where
the mining unions are not organized by
the coal companies.
The operators however did not take
to this fayorably.
The Washington wage agreement, for
the first time. the operators asserted,
fixed the same date for the expiration of
contracts between miners and operators
in all parts of the country. Fear of the
power this arrangement gives the work
ers to bring about nation wide strike
was expressed by the operators. who
indicated a desire to return to the old
plan of basing all wage scale contracts
on the agreement reached in the central
fields.
Both miners and operators asserted.
tonight. that Secretary Wilson's ad-
dress would have powerful effect in
bringing closer together the extreme of
Doth sides
Montana Operators Outside.
Owners of outlying mines will not
lgree to enter into the negotiations, ac
.ording to f. W. Lukings, president of
he Southwestern Interstate Coal Oper-
ltors association. who presided at the
conference of the operators.
Representatives of outlying districts
rom Washington to West Virginia and
rom Oklahoma to Montana attended the
,perators' meeting. Some of the operat-
,rs. feeling that they had no further in
crest in the proceedings here, planned |
o leave for their homes tonight.
Prompt Action Urgent.
Above ALL" said Secretary Wilson in |
pening the conference. we are con
ronted with the fact that the great |
,ass of people dependent on coal |
n their every day life are interested in |
eaching a settlement. not only in CEN
raj coal fields, but in all coal fields. |
{ is for that reason ] have asked your |
neeting here.
Il desire to recommend that wage /
Gale committees representative of all I
he fields proceed to negotiate an adjust |
lent. | want to point out to you that /
rompt action is necessary. As long as /
our troubles were local in character. /
My affecting small part of eommuni- |
les, there was no disposition to hurry
ou, but when your disputes take on
npifftda That affantc fhn .nfrrn
ry, then the people at large as mat
err of self preservation are insistent YOU
ONE to settlement.
"The miners conference demanded a
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