New-York tribune., 1919-11-18
i. S. to Hasten
Agreement ON
Coal Problem
Resumption of Production
Without Delay To Be De-
manded of Miners and
Operators in Conference

T..
were evidences Of real progress to- day
IN the wage scale negotiations between
coal miners and operators Of the con-
tral competitive field, although no meet
ing of the joint wage scale committees
/ took place. The conference was post-
poned until tomorrow at the request
or the operators, who passed the day
preparing reply to the demands re-
submitted Saturday by the workers.
The operators we're in touch by wire
with owners not represented here &,
obtain their approval of the counter
proposals, which have assumed definite
shape. Reports also were prepared 20
show the effect that higher wages,
taken in connection with suspension
o. production, would have on coal
prices this winter.
Secretary Wilson does not intend to
permit negotiations to drag, although
he will not inte fcre as long as the wage
scale committees are making headway,
1t was SAID at the Department OF
Labor
Visible Supply Dwindles
With the nations visible coal supply
rapidly diminishing, the Administration a
is determined to bring about resump-
tlon Of production without delay. and
intends to hasten the settlement be
tween operators and miners, it was
said Officials Of the Department of
Labor stated, however. that reports TO
the effect that the government might
take over mines and operate them vera
without Foundations Such action. they
said, would be taken only as the Ia st
resort and after full discussion by the
Cabinet
Meanwhile. in behalf of the central
field operators conm:..ee series of
teiegraphic reports from mining GEN.
ters was given out showing not a mine
was operating in is territory Pro
ductlon was absolutely at standstill
IN Southwestern states. the reports dc
clarcd, and averaged only about so per
cent of normal in Pennsylvania fields
outside Of what is classed as the cen
trail competitive field. In West Vir-
glnia. however. production was close
to normal, except where held back by
car shortage.
Declares Injunction Ignored
The reports show that the court in
junction calling off the strike is not
being obeyed," said Thomas T. Brews-
ter, chairman of the operators scale
committee in the central territory.
John l.. Lewis, acting president of
the United Minc Workers of America,
met this assertion smilngly.
MI no ko,, 4 \.
order Of the court implicitly" he said
Its mandate required that the strike
order be cancelled and revoked. That
step was taken. The court has af-
frmed the resembling order which was
sent out. Our every legal obligation
has been discharged. Again we are
assembled in Washington asking con-
sideration and living wage"
Judge Anderson's order, Lewis said,
did not order men back to work"
The coal shortage was reported 20
be serious in various parts OF the
country today
st. Louis Cuts Lighting
The Southwestern Regional Coal
quested all commercial organizations
in the district to discontinue electric
advertising after 9 o'clock each night
and to reduce illumination to mini
mum both day and night.
Orders which may mean the clcsns 2
of cotton mills and manufacturing
plants in the South when their present
coal supply is exhausted, were issued
/ tonight by the regional director of
the railroads in that section. The
orders curtail delivery of coal to the
first five classes in the priority list.
This includes manufacturers.
Governor J. B. A. Robertson. of Okla
homa, to-day appointed a commission
to investigate the coal situation in that
state. The executives office denied
reports the Governor intended to seize
the mines.
The regional coal committee in Chi
cago to-day decided to halt all distri-
button of coal here for forty light
hours except Tor emergency needs.
| A total Of l06 trains have been pus-
| Ue0ded atutsn thu akriko haUnH