The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-10-25
american Association Coal Deal
ers Pledge Efforts to Prevent
Any Increase in Price AS Re-
suit of Strike.
VAR DEPARTMENT MAY BE
iSKED TO DRAFT WORKERS
President Lewis of Miners An
nOunced Last Night After
Conference That Strike Will
Go Into Effect Nov. 1.

N Washington. Oct. 24.-Efforts of
n secretary Wilson to avert a strike of
\ s,ft coal miners failed tonight, when
miners rejected the proposal from
President Wilson that controversies
will be arbitrated. Operators previ-
olsly had accepted the proposal after
the miners rejection of conference.
The two scale committees here were
adjourned with every prospect that a
strike would take place on November
L. President Lewis, of the miners, an
bounced after the breakup of the
conference the strike would go into
effect November /.
Coal dealers represented in the
American wholesale coal association.
| and doing an annual business of a.
hundred million tons in the principal
cities Of the country, pledged their
siforts today to prevent any increase
in the price of coal as a result of the
| Impending strike. or after such strike
Is called.
The association recommended to
IFsiEnan F.relinEhuysen and members
u the senate committee investigating
oal prices that to insure coal for pub
-c utilities. including the railroads,
IN event of a strike, the war depart
nent will be asked to put the draft
aw into operation to supply mines
With workers
Final appeal was made to Presi-
dent Wilson today to prevent the
strike after miners and operators,
meeting jointly with Secretary Will
son. had turned down two propositions
r negotiate a new wage agreement.
While on the point of breaking UP,
he two groups. needing the plea of
Secretary Wilson, agreed to return at
/ o'clock this afternoon to receive a
nessage the secretary hoped to bring
rom the president.
Both sides rejected the new wage
Eroposal Mr.. Wilson then pleaded
Eith leaders not to break up, but to
sturn at o'clock, stating that mean
Thile he would get in touch with the
White House. The meeting was held
|ngether with the two groups dis
sassed separately what course they
would take.
The operators would not accept be-
tause the miners refused to withdraw
tie strike order, and Mr.. Wilson ther
tame forward with still another pro
posal for settlement on which botl
sides Immediately went to work.
This provided for a straight increase
|ct 10 cents a ton for picked mining
with an increase in the same ratio fol
machines and other classes Of labor
The proposal also provided that there
should be an eight-hour day, from
bank 10 bank" and a half holiday OF
saturday. the agreement to be eff
'ect!ye November l and to continue
Until March 81, 1922
Some of the miners indicated tha
Af Wilson's proposal would not bt
satisfactory, saying that they had beer
A.ormed the operators had been will
ing to grant an increase greater thar
per cent, the rate in the secretary's
proposal
coming out of the meeting John l.
<"is, president of the United Mine
'orkers of America. said:
Inc outlook is less hopeful thar
- A.sht. We are returning to heal
-at the president and the secretary
sht say, but there seems littl,
'-9Ace OF reaching an agreement"
secretary Wilson refused to express
opinion as to the hope of averting
strike through mediation. He was
lA'y worried and hurried away tc
insult other officials before pro-
hs 10 the White House. Some
A'oers Of the miners group said the
-" up had about come and thA
lshJ. ~
NNsE.eston. w. Va, Oct. 24.-Gov-
Cornwell today sent a message
SVAn L. Lewis, president of the
SO Mine Workers of America, in
~ ne charged that a second armed
S'oH Of the Guyan valley coal dis
vas being planned by the miners
~"e cabin Greek coal section.
sovernor also charged arms and
e,''1tion had been distributed
- 'ne miners and there had been
IA AL AK Of shooting public officials
3".hS control of the government.