The Washington herald., 1919-12-21
PRESIDENT NAMES
COMMISSION TO FIX
THE PRICE OF COAL
coSfINunp FROM PAGE ONE

NONTlNOh M FhOA EAub pNH
which was the basis OF the terms
upon which the miners finally
agreed to return to work. This is
the same memorandum which was
made public in indianapolis on De-
cember . and Is known as the Pal
mer-Lewis memorandum"
Reference to It created a new ele-
ment in the situation last night for
luminous Coal Operators issued the
following statement:
The operators have not agreed to
any memorandum such as that men
toned in the Presidents letter to
MessrS. Robinson. White and Pearle.
involving q basis OF adjustment of
the coal strike The operators were
not consulted as to the terms and
conditions OF the agreement entered
into between the government and
the miners"
operators Not Bound.-
At the headquarters OF the opera
tors II was said that the statement
did not mean they would not carry
on" with the commission, but that
they simply did not want to bind
themselvesin advance 10 the findings
Of a commission. to the operation of
which they had not agreed.
1t was recalled to the operators that
when the memorandum was read to
Thomas r. Brewster. chairman of the
operators scale committee and one OF
the leaders in the negotiations here.
he said that II met with the I'M
qualified approval of all the operators"
"Oh. but Mr.. Brewster was speak
ing only for himself at that time it
was stated
On the heels OF the operators state
ment. Attorney General Palmer issued
"a statement denying the remarks
made yesterday before the Freling-
huysen committee by Alfred NJ. Ogit.
chairman OF the Bltuminous Coal OPP
orators executive committee. The At
torney General declared there was not
a word OF truth in Ogle'S assertion
that he had endeavored TO induce the
operators to compromise with the
miners on a basis OF more than the
u pcr cent Increase offered by former
Fuel Administrator Harry A Garfield.
."rremrndous Importance
Il am sure II Is not necessary for
me to call your attention to the tre-
this commission or the great oppor-
tunity which II presents for lasting
service to the coal industry and the
country" the Presidents letter con-
tinued
IF the facts covering all the phases
of the coal industry necessary to a
proper adjustment OF the matters
submitted TO you shall be invesu-
gated and reported to the public.
am sure that your report. in addi-
I ton to being accepted as the basis
for a new wage agreement for the
bituminous coal miners. will promote
the public welfare and make for
settled condition in the industry.
mo settlement can be had In this
matter. permanent and lasting in its
benefits, as affecting either the min
ers, the coal operators. or the general
public unless the findings OF this body
are comprehensive in their character
and embrace and guard at every
point the public interest. To this
end. I deem it important that your
conclusion should be reached by
unanimous action"
At present there is no money avail
able for the new coal commission un-
less Congress grants an appropriation.
and no request for one has yet been
made by the President. 1t is believed
that he will ask an appropriation as
soon as the holidays are over and
that there will be slight trouble in
getting money for the activities of the
commission.
The members OF the commission, il
is expected, will not receive a salary,
but simply their expenses. Mr.. Robin
son was a dollar a year man" dur
ing the war with the United States
Shipping Board. and Mr.. White re-
signed as head of the miners union
to enter the ranks Of the Fuel Ad-
ministration to help the country win
the war