Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-12-08
WILSON MAKES
OFFER; UNION
HEADS AGREE
Plan to Be Laid Before
Scale Committee
Tuesday.
END OF STRIKE
BELIEVED NEAR
Utmost Secrecy Maintained Regarding
Presidents Compromise Plan - se.
Jieved to Include Return Of Miners
at "a Per Cent Increase in Wages
With Arbitration TO Follow - inves-
&iaation Awaits Developments.

Washington. Dec. Slope for .
settlement tomorrow afternoon Of the
controversy between thu miners, op-
orators and the government was ex-
pressed today at the White House.
TT is hoped there will be settle
ment tomorrow afternoon Of the con-
troversy thru the acceptance BY the
miners Of plan proposed BY the
president, which proposal wa, submit
ted to Acting President Lewis, Of the
miners by Attorney General Palmer
Saturday night" .,
The utmost secrecy still surrounded
the proposal and Secretary Tumulty
and other officials refused to supple
ment the White House statement. II
" as learned. however. that the proposal
was submitted by the president.
Lewis Wants Federal Backing.
In agreeing Saturday to urge the
miners to accept President Wilson's s
proposal, John L. Lewis was said 70
have informed Attorney General Pal
mer Of the difficulties he was navina
among the miners because o. the feel !
ing created by the Injunction and the
governments attitude. Lewis was said
to have professed willingness to under
take to change this feeltng Given
proper assistance by the governrnoe3
Lewis and william Green are to af.
rive In Indianapolis today. where to-
morrow Attorney General Palmer will
lay tho government prosposal before
the committee Of the miners and oper-
ators.
Probable Plan Of compromiss.
There were persistent reports today
that the presidents proposal was that
the mines accept for the present the
II per cent wage advance and the final
question Of working hours and condi-
>fions and wages be left to commits
sion appointed by the president. Some
suggestions have been made as to the
personnel Of the commission and other
points which have induced the miners
to accept.
Senate Committee Delays.
The senate labor committee de-
fsrred action on the resolution calling
for congressional Investigation OF the
coal strike, as 1t did not wish to IN
terfere with negotiations to end tho
strike.
seersey shrouds Terms.
The character Of this latest move on
the part Of the administration 10 NEE,
the fuel famine crisis Is q profound
official secret. Neither the attorney
general nor the leaders Of the mine
workers would discuss the proposition
Mr.. Palmer will lay before the strikers
Some administration officials. who
professed to have an inkling Of what ie
afoot, say the new proposal repre-
sents no departure from the govern
rnent's decision that a IA per cent wage
advance is all the miners are entitled
to and all the operators can grant
without raising the price OF coal.
II this IL true, 1t Is believed the
presidents proposition embraces an
appeal TO the miners to return 10 WORK
IN the interest Of national welfare and
assurances that the government vii
undertake to bring about such further
wage advances as careful inquiry JUS
titled.
To Investigate Owners.
To carry out such an investigation
the president may promise commits
sion which would conduct thorough
inquiry into the advance in the cos'
Of living In the mining communities
and the expenses and earnings OF tht
operators.
Such Z commission, composed OF
operators and miners, to be presided
over by Secretary Of Interior Lane.
was suggested by the cabinet when,
thru Fuel Administrators Garfield. the
IA per cent wage advance was promul-
gated.
It transpires. however. that Dr.
Garfield, 1ho has firmly opposed any
recession, from the attitude taken by
the administration in the II per cent
proposal, was not party to the con-
ference In which the presidents new
plan was submitted to the miners.
Garfisld Kept In Dark.
In fact, he did not even know that
Lewis and Green were In Washington
and in touch with the attorney gen.
erai and Secretary Tunulty.
Whether he knew the tenor Of the
presidents proposal DR.. Garfield would
not say. He would 30 no further than
reiterat,pg., ,that he stands squareiy be-
hind the settlement offer Of Nov. 2s.
embodying tho II per cent average ad-
vance and no increase In the price Of
coal to the consumer. He said he con-
tsmplated no compromiss or any recess
sion from this stand whatever.
II the offer Attorney General Palmer
Ii taking TO Indianapolis does depart
from thoao torms, DI. 0ayzjsA would
.s5 II.