New-York tribune., 1919-12-23
to proceed and obtain the necessary in

| formation to reach a conclusion.
Tho Palmer-Lewfs plan for the settle
ment Of differences between bituminous
coal operators and miners through the
| Presidential commission that may re-
suit in raising wages and increasing
prices Of coal to the public, was char
acterized tonight in statement by
Senator Frelinghuysen Of New Jersey
as "a loaded dice proposition for tho
American public"
"There must have been some secret
deal made" says the statement, "in
addition to the signed statement. In
any event the public may look for an
increase in the price Of coal or another
strike"
The Senator's statement came as a
surprise. Mr.. Palmer denied before
the Senate coal investigating committee
last week that there was any under
standing between himself and the lead
ers Of the miners that was not con-
tanned in the written memorandum
subsequently approved by the miners.
Palmer and Miners Differ
1t was recalled, however, that the
mine workers had pointed out "ma-
terial" differences between the plan
proposed by DR.. Harry A. Garfield on
November 81, subsequently rejected by
though the Attorney General had in
sisted before the Senate Committee
that the two were virtually the same
Senator Frelinghuyscn's statement
follows:
II cannot speak for tho other men,
bers, but personally I view the plan
with great uneasiness and am disposed
to regard it as a loaded dice PROPOSE
tion for the American public, in whose
behalf alone l am concerned. l do
not consider the plan an impartial
one. The circumstances attendant
upon its conception and promulgation
do not appeal to me. l do not like
the setting.
on the threshold Of winter, especially
pledges and repudated contract on
the part of the miners, was an out
rageous act.
"1f the strike was Unlawful as the
President declared it to be, then the
manner in which Mr.. Lewis and other
officials treated the order of Judge An
derson's court was infinitely worse.
Palmer's Action Criticized
~ strongly commended the action of
the Attorney General when he began
suit against the officials of the United
Mine Workers at Indianapolis Even
more strongly did l commend his telc-
gram to the Chamber of Commerce Of
Moberly, Mo-, December l, 1919, when
he said:
"'I do not approve of your sugges-
tion that another conference of oper-
ators and miners be called at this time
Throughout that telegram the At
tOrney Generals views we're patriotic
and statcsmanlike.
"One week later, on December and
I, the Attorney General, with Mr.. Lewis
and Mr.. Green. on the train Ell route
to Indianapolis, consummated the
agreement which it is now sought to
put into force.
I'm the first place, there should have
been no agreement at that time. These
men were in contempt of court and
were out OIL bail. They should have
should have purged them
bl ought the strike to an end in fact as
we'll as in name. Not until then should
they have been conferred with or ne
gotta tions entered into.
he present plan, which incurred
the hostility Of DR.. Garfield and caused
ms resignation, is acceptable to the
miners because it opens the door to
further demands and further wage in
grasses, which the public must pay.
he miners are expecting that addi- |
tlonal raise as a result of this agree
ment. Chairman Lewis, in his address
TO MS men on December ]. 1919, spoke !
OF the probability OF further increase
III all classifications of labor when the !
commission finally makes its award
Howat's Boast Repeated
Upon what does he base his prob
ability? One of his chief lieutcnants,
Alexander Howat, head of the Kansas
mine workers, who, by the way, is still
IN contempt of court, said the other
day:
"'I opposed acceptance of the Presi
dents proposal, but had l known what
Lewis and Green knew, l might not
have opposed it,
Mr.. Howat added: president Lewis
and Secretary Treasurer Green
promised US that when the Presidents
proposal is put into operation and
results have been obtained under that
proposal the miners will not only have
received the 81 per cent Secretary Will
son propo sed, but there will be i'm
proved working conditions'
There must have been some secret
deal made, in addition to the signed
agreement. In any event. the public
may look for an increase in the price
of coal or another strike.
DIR. Garheld's position throughout
his whole splendid service as Fuel Ad-
ministrator has been patriotic and