The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-12-19
DHERlNlNENT WON
Il COAL STRIKE FIGHT


polls iirst. yielded to their request
= Text Of Agreement.
The agreement drawn on the train
was as follows: t'
in accordance with the request of
the president as contained in his
statement of Dec. 6. the miners will
immediately return to work with the
IA per cent. increase in wages which
is already in effect. Immediately
upon a general resumption OF opera
tions which shall be all districts. ex-
cept as to wages, upon the basis
which obtained on Oct. 81, 1919, the
president will appoint a commission
of three persons. one of whom shall
be mine owner, an operator In ac-
tive business, which commission will
consider further questions of labor
and working conditions as well as
profits of operators and proper prices
Of coal. readjusting both wages and
prices. IL it should so decide. includ-
ing differentials and working condi-
tions within and between districts.
The report will be made within sixty
day. II possible, and will be accepted
on a basis to new wage agreement.
the effective date and duration OF
which will also be determined by the
commission.
(Signed) "a. NJ. PALMER" +
-, Wrote II Himself.
The document, Palmer said, was
written by himself and after being
shown to Mr.. Lewis, was initiated by
both of them for identification pur-
poses. When he reached Indianap-
oils he sent it in telegraphic code to
the department or Justice with in
structions to send it to the president
The president approved the agree
ment and it was presented to the
miners convention at Indianapolis on
the following day. This document, II
was REVEALED for the first time today
provides that the presidents coal
commission, which is to be created
under the agreement, shall contain a
"mine owner or operator" as one OF
it's members. but 1t makes no men,
tion concerning the. remaining per-
sonnel. 1t is not provided that either
the miners or the consuming public
shall be represented on the com
mission.
Government Had Option.
'The government had the option O
going into the criminal courts and seek
| Ing action against the union officials or
the ground of violating the law. b,
calling an Illegal strike. or entering tht
civil courts afrd seeking an injunction,
| said Palmer
''It decided to seek an injunction II
| the civil courts because j believed II
would best protect the, country In thu
supply of coal.'
AZ L.. l.
| be proper to go back now and undertak,
criminal prosecutions.
Palmer said he has not talked with
| the miners union officials relative tt
not prosecuting them.
John j. Keegan, member of the fed
| era1 worlsmen's compensation commits
sion. called on me on Dec. s. and sale
| he was certain a proper settlement coul6
be worked out if Mr. Lewis and Mr.
| Green could discuss it with me- Pal
mcr said.
II told him was there to see an,
person."
| Replying to Senator Townsend, thu
attorney general said that he has nevel
| changed his mind as to the illegalit,
of what the, miners tried to do, and tha
| the Injunction is stil In force, Palme
1 said tha spirit of the injunction hal
| been followed UP by the ruiuers.
Palmer declared The 9f1ie1tR Of. th,
4 mine workers obeyed the fstfif3e ortlsl
"The order was 4laet ~s&s eifectiye a,
we had hoped In having the men return
| to work. Palmer declared. 5a
4 This led tc, q court order to investi
gate the, possibility of co-operation be
\ tween the coal operators and miners
| Palmer said, rH .
| Senator Townsend asked if the de
| partment of justice had evidence o
such cooperation.
THE grand jury is now investigator,
that" Palmer answered.
| THE injunction was not asked for t.
compel men to work. Palmer said
Our theory was that a strike could no
last long with the separation of th'
staff from the army"
Senator Walcott questioned the at
torney general sharply concerning th'
| plan for a coal commission
What became of the fuel administra
| tion under this commission asked
Senator Wolcott.
1.-The presidents statement on Dec
s settles that" said Mr.. Palmer. Th'
hearing will be continued late thi
| afternoon.
Absolutely None
| Replying to question /. senate
| Townsend as to whether ANY - in
ducement" had been offered union of
fcials which was not named in tn
memorandum of the settlemen
agreement, Mr.. Palmer said;
p. Absolutely none" ~e .t.-.--
He added that nothing had beel
| said as to the men to constitute tn
commission except that they were t.
be "tho biggest and broadest men w
| co,Ild get /"