Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-11-25
CABINET MEETING
To WRESTLE WITH
.5':.::S::'''F 81: AGREEMENT.
Settlement Of Coal Contro-
VerSy Is Put Up to the Mem
berS of Presidents Advisers
at Conference Today.
Irr Morning JOURNAL SPECIAL LEAsEo WIRE
Washington. Nov. 21-Seitlement o

i g.
the controversy over new wage
agreement in the bituminous coal in
| dustry tonight awaited action by Pres
| ident Wilson'S cabinet
! Fuel Administrator Garfield, speak
! ing to the joint wage scale committees
| of operators and miners, announced
| five principles which have governed"
him and his associates, but different
interpretations were placed upon its
various provisions by the workers and
the mine owners in informal discus
sions after the meeting
DIR. Garfield called the miners and
operators together after conference
with Attorney General Palmer Direc-
tor General Hines and Assistant At
torney General Ames
At the meeting of the cabinet to-
morrow n definite decision of policy
regarding all phases of the strike sit
uation is expected, and If the cabinet
Is In disagreement the whole question
may be put before the president.
Owing to the disagreement which
had arisen as to the amount of the
increase in the cost of living and con-
sequenty the per cent of wage adj
vance needed to meet higher living
costs, great significance was attached
to DR. Garfields declaration that "the
average total increase in pay over tho
1918 base. which was the base consid-
cred in 1917, should not exceed the
present increase in the cost of living
over the same base"
at is also to be considered that the
cost of living will fall rather than rise
during the next few years." he ad-
ded.
Operators construed this statement
as in conflict with the contention of
Secretary Wilson that miners should
be given a 81 per cent wage advance
to equalize the margin between pres
ent wages and 70 per cent rise in
living costs since 1914.
Pointing out that war time coal
prices were fixed for the purpose of
stimulating production, DR. Garfield
declared that the public would not
now pay the increase over normal
profits allowed during the war. His
further statement that any wage in
crease should be "borne by the oper-
ators cr the public or both, was gem
orally taken to mean that part of the
advance must come out of the excess
profits OF the mining companies.
The five principles announced by
DR.. Garfield were;
First. The public must not be asked
to pay more than It Is now paying for
coal unless it is necessary to do so
in order to provide reasonable wages
to the mine workers and a reasonable
profit TO the operators.
Second. The arrangement entered
into between the operators, the min
ers and the fuel administration, with
the sanction of the president of the
United States in October, 1917 was
intended TO equalize the wages of all
classes of mine workers and to be
sufficient TO cover the period of the
war, but not beyond March 81, 1920:
hence, the only increase in cost of liv-
ing which can now be considered is
the increase above that provided
for by the average increase in
1914 that Is to say, the average total
increase In pay over the 1918 base.
which was the base considered in 1917.
should not exceed the present average
increase in the cost of living over
the same base. 1t is also to be con-
sidered that the cost of living will
fall rather than rise during the next
few years.
Third. The maximum prices of
fered by the government on coal were
calculated to increase production of
coal for war purposes. Coal was basic
and the increase imperative. The pub
lie ought not to be asked to pay and
will not now pay the increase over
normal profits then allowed for the
purpose Of stimulating production.
Fourth Any increase in wages
now arrived at on the basis of the
foregoing principles should be borne
by the operators or the public or both
both as may be determined by the ap-
plication of these principles and
should take effect as of the date when
the men return to work.
Fifth. The needs of the United
States are not alone to be considered:
Europe is in desperate need of coal
and should have all that we can
spare"
Thomas #. Brewster, chairman of
the operators, said that DIR. Gar
fields pronouncement merely reaf-
frmed the statements of the fuel ad-
before the wage scale
last week.
II do not know what it all means"
was the only comment of John l.. Lew
is, acting president of the United Mine
Workers.
When the coal situation committees
appear before the cabinet tomorrow,
Snarp dltIerences OF opinion between
some members is expected Represent
atives Of the operators have made the
claim repeatedly that the proposal
Of Secretary Wilson for a wage ad-
vance of 81 per cent did not have tho
approval of majority OF the cabinet.
but 1t is admitted that Mr. Wilson
would have the support of some who
were willing to give the miners what
ever they asked in order to get them
back to work.
Other cabinet members. IL was said,
feared the effect of a big wage ad-
vance might have on the efforts of the
government to reduce the cost of liv-
ing. Granting of the miners request
would strengthen the demands of rail-
road employees and other workers for
more pay and in many Ways disturb
he industrial situation. according to
lne view.