The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-12-13

his action said conditions in the re-
Eions varied greatly and coal still was
being shipped from the cast TO the
west, but that removal Of restrictions
might be shortly justified.
The railroad administration received
unofficial estimates during the day
that from e5 to 20 per cent Of the
miners had gone back 70 work. Private
reports TO operators said that in 1ndi-
ana nearly all the men had returned.
but elsewhere good deal Of delay was
being shown.
Not Yet Accepted.
Fuel Administrator Garticld's rcsiG-
nation went TO President Wilson yoStcr-
day and was discussed by White House
officials. who expressed the belief that
Il would be accepted. though il was not
indicated that the president as yet had
acted : The work Of the fuel adminis-
tration. II Yas said. probably would be
transferred to tho railroad adminiS-
traitor. DR.. Garfield refused 10 discuss
: the matter.
Operators representing the central
PENNSYLVANIA district. one Of the larG-
est in the United States. were the first
10 act today upon the settlement pro
posal and, while accepting 1t, criticized
~
The method proposed by DR.. Garfield
for settlement of the strike was inter-
/ fered with by Eovcrnmfnt officials who
knew little Of the situation" tn" opsr-
a,ors' statement said. The problem
was taken out OF his hands. The public
and the operators, as result. have
been delivered into the hands OF the
. United Mine Workers Of America.
Can Raise Contract Prices.
! +. F.. Hardness. counsel for the fuel
administration. announced during tn"
dav that prices Of coal contracted for
BY purchasers prior to the resumption
OF government price fixing could be
legally raised to absorb the cost Of the
IA per cent increase in miners wages
granted under the strike settlement.
Coal mined on contract. il was said, in
most cases bore a price below the gov
ernment maximum of S2.S5 per ton.
mine run, and contracts ordiparily car
ricd q. clause binding tho purchasers to
pay- udHitions inf labor costs incurred
after their making Fuel administration
stall. !cs indicated that even after ad-
! dition to the costs created by the IA per
cont incr C the increased portion OF
thu contract coal still would be sold
below the s2.35 maximum.
| The government lNSfiI. tHrPuSH NiS
railroad administration, which con-
sumcs normally 81 per cent Of all coal
mined. vi" pay the largest amounts un'
der the rc. IL was pointed out. Thr
war department contracts were said I"
give power to the secretary or war 70
make adjustmc cnts. and as tn" settle
ment had the support Of the admintstra'
ton Il was assumed that Secretary
Baker would approve the increase
Much OF the navy departments coal Is
being commandccred. and som" or tho
supply is mined in the Pocahontas he'd
which is nor-union.
| Private and industrial consumers sup
Piled by contract coal will in mos'
cases pay the increase. 4 small amount
Of high class coal. under the ruling. u
was explained. would be sold Tor
higher price than the government maxi
mum.
rhs Modincation Order.
| Director General Hines statement or
notifications OF the conservation orders
said
| The conservation order Of December
IS 1919, restricting tho use of heat, ligh
(conhnued On Page Thirtesa.)