New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-12-14
'Principle Surrendered
He Tells Senators; Ex-
plains He Was Not Con-
suited on Wilson Policy
Action Charged to
Presidents Illness
Relations Not Strained,
He Asserts; Evades Max
ing Direct Accusations
Neac York Tribune
Wdshiu atom pure0u

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-Fuel Ad-
ministrator Garfield resigned because
he believed the settlement of the coal
strike-made over his head and against
his protest to President Wilson-was
fundamentally wrong, and might result
in higher coal prices that would inflict
an unjust burden on the American peo-
pie, he declared to-day. His statement
was made before the Frelinghuysen
Sub Committee on Coal of the Senate
Interstate Commerce Committee
"If the President were WE'LL" said
DR.. Garfield "and ! could put this be-
fore him, ! am confident he would sus-
tain me. Ny relations with the Presi-
dent have not been disturbed. ] be-
lieve | represent his view"
"You certainly represent the view of
the people of the United States," re-
Joined Senator Frelinghuysen.
DR.. Garfield Informed the committee
that his resignation was accepted to-
associates He refused to give the
committee his letter of protest to the
President against the action which At
torney General Palmer and the ma
jority Of the cabinet had taken. He
refused to give the committee a tele-
gram drafted by Attorney General
Palmer and sent to the miners at Indi-
anapolis, after being read to the cabi-
net He proved a rather unwilling wit
ness. it being necessary for Senators
Frelinghuysen, Townsend and Myers to
question him closely to bring out the
points he made
Support of Policy Expected
Summed up, however. his testimony
was that from the date of his confer
ence with the miners and the opera
tors, and with the Cabinet on the sit
uation, up until December 5, DR.. Gar
field had thought his own idea of the
settlement of the coal strike would
either prevail, or that the strike would
be fought out. His own plan was to
give the miners q ! per cent wage in
crease, if the operators agreed, but the
increase must be absorbed by the op-
orators, and not passed on to the pub
llc by an advance in the price of coal.
Without his being given any warm
ing, he learned about the time of a
conference he had with Attorney Gen
eral Palmer at Mr.. Palmer's house here
on December 6, that different plan
would be pursued. This new plan-the
so-called Presidents settlement-pro-
vlded for the ID per cent increase i'm
medately, and then a commission to
fix prices and wages. This commits
sion could advance the price of coal to
the public. he asserted, although COM
posed of three representatives-on for
the operators, one for the miners and
one for the public. With the public
having only a minority vote, he de-
clared, its interests could not be pro-
tected
Obpects to Plenary Power
MY objection is" he said, chat that
END of commission ought not to have
the power to determine wages and
prices. 1t should be purely advisory
me public should retain control of
prices Only in that way can the pub
Ic interest be protected. Under this
commission plan men who are inter
eSted have two votes to the public's
one, and it may be to their interest to
increase the price of coal and put the
burden on the public"
Ihls decision against your plan took
the power to fix prices and gave it to
me commission?" inquired Senator
Frelinghuysen
Yes" DR.. Garfield replied.
Dr. Iarheld admitted to Mr.. Freling-
huysen tnat, unless there is an abun-
dant production of coal, thus throuql
national causes keeping the nr;c.
down. even the IA per cent increase
which he proposed amounting t.
about SLOT 100000 a year-wouid b,
passed on to the public after the ex
piratlon of the Lever act, which die,
at the proclamation of peace
Direct Answers Refused
The Senators pressed Dr.. CARTEL,
closely on the activities of Attorne,
General Palmer and the Cabinet il
this question of overriding Garfield
Fuel Administrator in the settlemen
OF the strike. On this point the doc
TOR evaded and directly refused to an
swer many questions, saying his con
terence with Mr.. Palmer was confden
dent.
Senator Townsend inquired if ther,
mao not been an agreement between the
NINE workers and Mr.. Palmer and othe,
members of the Cabinet that their wages
would be increased above the ii per cen,
purposed by DR.. Garfield.
nave no knowledge of any agree
,';.a, neh!, ne replied. "Of course, it is
W. %'s"h the power of this commission, un-
Ger this settlement"
onss ssscretary Of Labor Wilson, it devel-
Np.o, W.. was the prime mover in the Cabi-
net against DR.. Garfeld's ID per cent
proposition. Mr.. Wilson insisted tbat
the wages should be advanced not on the
average to meet the cost of living. 30
proposed by Dr. Garfield but on the nav Nv
J Comtinued on page sirteem