The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-10-30
MINERS REJECT
WILSON'S PLEA
Five Hundred Thousand Men Are
to Strike November l.,
Says Leader.
PRESIDENTS APPEAL FAILS
John L. Lewis, President Of the United
Mine Workers, Says Strike Order
Stands - Coal Operators Ac-
eept Arbitration Offer.

Washington, Oct. ~. -- Efforts OF
Secretary Wilson 10 avert a strike of
coal miners IN the central COMPETE
tive fields failed the miners rejecting
II proposal from President Wilson that
the controversies be arbitrated.
The operators previously had &C.
cepted the presidents proposal. After
The rejection by the miners the con
ference of the two scale committees
here was adjourned with every pros
pect that the strike would occur No
vember !, as called.
John l.. Lewis, president of the
United Mine Workers, announced that
the strike order stood and that half
~ million soft coal miners would quit
work November !. Official notice
that mediation efforts had failed will
be- sent at once to all districts. he
stated.
"'rhc operators accepted the pres
idents offer in toto" Thomas 7.
brewster head Of the Coal Operators
association said.
The presidents appeal 10 the min
crS read
Il have been watching with deep
and sincere interest your efforts to
bring about just settlement Of the diff
ferences between the operators and
the coal miners in the bituminous
coal fields of the country.
"It is to be hoped that the good judg-
mcnt that has been exercised by both
operators and miners IN years gone
by IN the adjustment Of their differ
cnces will again prevail i'm the present
crisis
IAN organized society is depending
upon the maintenance Of the fuel sup
ply for the continuance of its exist
cnce. The government has appealed
with success to other classes Of work
crs to postpone similar questions I'M
tll n reasonable adjustment could be
arrived at.
with the parties VI lhe contro-
vcrsy rests the responsibility Of seeing
that the fuel supply of the nation is
maintained Al this time, when the
world is ia need Of more supplies. it
would hc cruel neglect Of our high
duty 10 humanity to fail them.
Il have read with interest the sug-
cpstiou made by Won that the wage
scale committees Of the operators and
miners 20 into conference without res
eryation for the purpose of negotiat-
Ing nm agreement as though no de-
mands had been made or rejected,
having due regard 10 the Interests of
their respective groups ! am IN ac-
,Ord with that suggestion.
NO body Of men knows better the
details, mtricacicS and technieallties
of mining than do the miners and OPP
orators. No body Of men can work
out the details Of the wage scale on
II more equitable basls. Their iudg.
mcnt would undoubtedly be based upon
"a sum toml of knowledge of the in
dustry.
Whatever their differences may be,
no matter how widely divergent their
viewpoints may be from each other,
IL is duty which they owe society
10 make an earnest effort TO negotiate
those differences and 10 keep the
mines of our country in opera
lion.
after all, the public Interest in This
vital matter Is the paramount consid-
GRAFTON of the government aud admits
of no other action than that Of con-
sideration Of Il peaceful settlement Of
The matter as suggested by you.
"If for any reason the miners and
operators fan to come Ia q mutual un-
Outstanding the interests Of the public
are of such vital importance nj con
nertion with the production Of coal
that il is incumbent upon them to re-
fer the matter in dispute to u board
uf arbitration for determination and
TO continue the operation Of the mines
pending the decision Of the board"