The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-11-28

ActlnS President John l.. Lewis or
the mine workers. though refusing one
word as to the strike itself. which the
oretically was called of IN obedience 10
federal court injunction holding IL
violation Of tn" Lever act for war
time food and fuel control. scored tn"
government roundly at the conclusion
Of the conference. SO did william
Green. secretary of the mine worKcrs'
Operators, though accepting the gov
eminent proposal definitely, in !cttrr
Of explanation to Dr. Garfield which
they made public minated that the
government refusal to allow price III
creascs would bear reconsideration.
Behind closed Doors.
II was behind closed doors that III"
situation reached it's climax today
after involving the full attention OF TIE
federal government for two days pre-
viously. There was much heated ora
acting chairman of the operators COM
mittee, described the parliamentary
procedure succinctly rs he came out.
The operators. by prc-arranGcd
plan. notified the miners committee Tor
the central competitive field or their
acceptance of DR.. Garlield's plan.
This the mine workers promptly vot-
cd down. In turn. the miners put Tor
ward a counter proposal that secretary
Wilson's suggestion for Sl.6 per cent
wage increase be granted. ana thiS Inc
operators fatty refused.
No Arbitration.
For the third time the operators re-
newed their formal offer of arbitration.
and this the miners voted down. tnani-
mously an adjournment was voted.
The operators arc pretending TO nr'
cept DR.. Garlicld's proposal. Mr.. Lewis
said. manifcsting sCorn and indignation
as he called the newspaper men around
\: L.. nd
was the scene of the all-day gatherings
But as they do it they state they
are unable to operate many OF lhclr
mines under it, IT would hc foolish for
US 10 attempt to make an agreement UNI
less miners are to be given work.
Our position is unchanged. We hold
tho United States government cannot
break it's word. The pledge Of Sccre-
tary Wilson to grant US 81 per cent
increase must be agreed to. In my
opinion pr. Garfield and the cabinet
have committed the most colossal blum
are blindly following an academic the
DRY without regard to justice to the
mine workers or effects on the people
Of the United States.
What Lewis Said.
RESPONSIBILITY for the crisis now
confronting the nation must be with
those statesmen using the powers or
government TO oppr"SS ana deny JUS
tice to great element OF It's Citizenship
directly concerned IN industry.
II cannot believe the people OF our
country viii indorSc such 4 policy Of
oppression and repression. that means
continue Industrial chaos and intense
suffering on the part If the mine work
erS and our citizenship"
with that Lewis brushed away all
ourStlonrrS His assistants. however.
confirmed the impression that there
would Do no resumption OF work In the
mining camps now closed.
Operators were less communicative.
One or TWO had reached Il determination
they said. to resume coal production. re-
eardIcss> of the strikers; hut mos Of
them were in duuE on this poiRNEl
Acting ChairnsN Guthrie ndicdt as
a body they had Teascd to function. ind
thati Individual necessity and incfhaa-
ton would govern their action, though
all would wait a little to see what the
government proposed.
Operators to Garfield.
The open letter IN DR.. Garfield said
that in view Of the serious situation
situation. the wage scale committee for