Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-11-13
SEC. WILSON CALLS
WAGE CONFERENCE
Operators and Miners Promise
They Will Work Faithfully
Toward Agreement

Washington. Nov. 11.---Having
forced the miners to call Off the coal
strike the government set out o-day
to help them negotiate a new wage
agreement
on the heels Of the announcement
that Federal Judge Anderson at In
dianapois had approved the order
promulgated by the United Mine
Workers of America resembling the
strike notice, Secretary Wilson in
vited representatives Of the miners
and operators from all the fields in
volved in the walllout to meet here
Friday for the purpose of negotiating
a basis of settlement"
The miners accepted. When Mr. Will
son went home tonight he had re-
ceived no formal reply from the
operators but was unofficiallY adj
vised that they would comply with
his request The secretary was assured
by operators and miners that they
would endeavor faithfully to frame a
pay scale that would send the 425 900
strikers back to work willingly and
at once.
Thomas 4. Brewster. head OF the opera
tors association of the central competi-
tive field. who arrived here during the
day from st. Louis to take an active hand
telegram to John l.. Lewis. acting presi-
dent Of the miners organization urging
prompt resumption of negotiations" The
message sent. it was explained before
Secretary Wilson had put his invitation
on the wires. made no reference to the
labor secretary as a mediator. Brewster
suggested negotiation of "a contract to
he I'm force upon the termination of the
contract now IN effect without saying
when or how this would be determined
Word came from Lewis tonight that the
miners mad decided to accept Mr., Wilson'S
offer ana that they had so notified
Brewster.
The secretary of labor, again stepping
to the front as mediator. will take up his
work exactly as il was laid aside two
weeks ago, except that no strike threat
viii hang over the conference Instead
of. there being present at the conference
1 representatives of miners and operators
only from the central competitive fields
| embracing the States Of Indiana. Illinois.
Ohio and western Pennsylvania the con-
ference will include miners from all fields
involved in the strike, stretching over
more than 20 States. Mr. Wilson'S action
in broadening the scope of the wage nego-
tiations was "A surprise to operators. but
adopted because of the desire of men from
other fields to have a voice in the DELHI
erations
The final breaking up of the strike with
announcement by the miners officials that
they would heed the blunt command Of
the federal court brought a sigh Of relief
from officials Washington and expressions
of surprise from labor leaders who frank
ly had not expected II.
With the ending of all court proceedings
the whole strike question was shifted
from the department of Justice to the de-
partment of labor. which is charged with
the task of bringing capital and labor
together in all such controversies There
We're no statements from officials of the
Federation of Labor beyond a reply by
the executive council to the statement is
sued last night by Acknowledgement Pal
mer. There We're few reports as to the
return of the miners to work and it wa!
realized that there would be considerable
confusion until the legal points had beer
cleared up and Lewis cancellation ordel
had reached all districts.