Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-12-22
COAL OPE ERATORS
DECLARE PALMER
MISSTATES FACTS
Never Were Consulted As to
Terms of Settlement After
'sq2 sq,22 ? q ecney General Super
~ field.

'Sss so "a, -
tsY n, @Ntrs>> SoJ spteiAL tEksGo w,sgl
Washih. ton, - &c. 2l.-Coal opera
tors of the United States. through
their executive committee. explained
further tonight their reasons for re-
fusing to participate in the govern
mentS plan for settling the bitumi-
nous coal strike. Renewing the de-
mails that previous agreements had
bound them to accept the govern
ment's plan. the operators asserted
that while they were bound by and had
agreed to accept the strike settlement
proposals made by Or Garfield. for
mer fuel administrator, the govern
ment proposals as accepted by the
miners differ vitallv from those OF tho
Garfield plan.
The insisSence of the operators on
the stand left open tonight the possi-
bility, 1t was said. that the commission
named Saturday by President Wilson
and given by him power to fix wages
and prices of coal necessary TO sustain
wages, might be unable to function.
The executive committee did not say.
however, that the operators would
stand aloof from the commission in
Its investigations and decisions but
left the question open, to be settled
probably at a meeting Tuesday in
Cleveland. O., where a general session
OF the scale committee of the central
competitive field and other operators
generally has been called.
The operators in q formal statement
tonight said
Issue Formal Statement.
In the light of the statement of At
torney General Palmer OF yesterday.
in which he says that it would be an
amazing reputation of their own
statements II the operators do not ac-
quiesoe in the plan which their Off
cial representatives have repeatedly
agreed to. in the settlement of the
strike, the bituminous coal operators
feel impelled to restate their attitude
so that 1t may be clearly appreciated
by the public.
ATTORNEY General Palmer in his
statement of yesterday asserted that
the operators had agreed to the mem
orandum of the attorney general and
the United Mine Workers of America.
laying down the terms of agreement
for settlement of the coal strike. The
fact Is that the operators never learn
ed Of the existence of that agreement
until after 1t had been presented to
miners at the Indianapolis conference
Accepted Garfield's Proposal.
THE operators did accept the pro-
nosei los OF n the gosy,ernment presented
and referred to in .Presi-
dent Wilson's letter OF December 6.
Under the terms OF this proposal the
mine controversy was to be settled on
nounced hyN DR. Garfield. The. appli-
cation of one Of these prineiples de-
termined the IA per cent advance
WHICH was granted the. miners. The
Garfield proposal further provided
for the establishment of board with
advisory powers only.
"The operators still stand by the ac-
,eptance of the. Garfield proposal
The presidents letter of December
referred specifically to it and 1t SEEM
ed clear to the minds of the opera
tors that II was, the intent of the
president that the Garfield proposal
was to be used as the basis of settle-
nent, of the wage controversy.
The operators never have been
consulted in regard to the memo
'andum which was drawn by the at
orney genera, in conference with
President, Lewis and Secretary Green
II the miners organization.
THE memodrandum goes far be-
iond the Garfield proposal. to which
hey assented.
some Radical Differences.
The operators point out the fol-
owing radical differences between
he Garfield PROPOSAL and the Palmer
lewis memorandum which was ac-
'epted at Indianapolis:
Il. The Garfield proposal would
rave established a board with advis-
agreement would es-
ablish a commission not advisory in
but with full power defl-
litelv to fix coal prices, wages. diff
ails Of working conditions within
ach district covered by the memo
andum.
"2. The question of differentials
md internal working conditions in
he MANY bituminous coal fields af-
ected by this memorandum are so
involved and complicated that COM
'lete review, in. order to make an in
elligent decision. would be an in
task. These matters are
ry. The differentials themselves are
lot in dispute.
"3. Furthermore the findings of
he commission contemplated by the
'almer-Le memorandum may be
nade retroactive within limitations as
o time.
There are other important differ
noes between the Garfield proposal
nd the Palmer-Lewis memorandum
Which have not peen made clear to
he operators up to this time. The
perators repeat that they have never
greed TO the Palmer-Lewis memo
andum. and THAT thev still stand upon
heir agreement to accept the terms
I the Garfield proposal, They Will
mite with all the well thinking peo-
lie OF the country so that in the final
onclusion of this matter. all interests
'ill be faithfully protected and serv-
d. and a practicable solution of the
roblem worked out"
Attorney General Palmer in his
tatement last night took exception to
tatements of A. M. Ogle, chairman
( the operators executive committee.
$ made before the senate investigat-
1g committee Friday, Mr., Palmer
aid newspaper reports credited Ogle
18th declaring that the attorney gen.
raj had proposed a surrender"
his Mr.. Palmer said was false.
Mr.. Ogle tonight responded to the
ttornev generals remarks by re-
erring to the transcript of the COM
littee session. That document, Ii
,as pointed out, showed that the con-
ersation mentioned took place be-
ore anv proposal had been made hv
ne government. and that Mr.. Ogle'S
were qualified.
'I0NIST CONFERENCE HAS