South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-14
CALL GARFIELD
BEFORE SENATE
Fuel Administrator is First
Witness During Present
investigation.

CCONTTNUED FROM PAGE ONE)
the cabinet were standing with him
in his suggestion of a IA per cent
increase in wages, and an advisory
commission 10 review the facts from
which he derived the i per cent
clause. When this was refused. he
added. he thought the question was
going to be fought out"
Or. Garfield would not produce
a telegram sent him by Atty. Gen.
Palmer, confirming that understand
ing. for which he was asked.
Discussing proposals which he had
submitted 20 the cabinet DR.. Gar
field said:
Il had no power under the Lever
act TO fix wages, but did have the
power 70 fix prices and the determi-
nation of reasonable prices involv-
ed. finally a determination OF rea-
sonable wages. ! drew up a state
ment of principles which ] thought
should determine the determination
of reasonable wages and submitted
It TO the cabinet"
They were with you on that
statement" Sen. FreIinghuysen
asked
Rejects Second.
yes. except as to the second of
the principles stated" DIT Garfield
responded. THAT was one which
said the average wage Of workers in
the industry ought TO be taken as a
guide in fixing increases allowed ID
meet the cost of living. and not the
wages of a single group. Secy Of
Labor Wilson desired the increases
so given 70 be estimated on the
wages Of pick miners"
What was your objections 70
that?" Sen. Townsend asked.
'Basing the increase on the wage
OF pick miners" Or. Garfield said.
would have resulted in securing an
average increase of 179 per cent in
wages in the industry over the peri
Cd since 1913. when the secretary Of
labor concluded that the cost OF liv-
ing had been increased only 70 per
cent"
Some members of the cabinet"
DR.. Garfield said. supported him.
and some the secretary of labor, but
all were in agreement on the balance
OF the proposal He had finally taken
the responsibility of putting through
his settlement suggestion without Sc
curing a unanimous agreement Of
the cabinet.
Garfield Responsible.
I conceived myself TO be the re-
spOnsible officer" he said, "believ-
ing that I had authority to deter
mine price questions The matter
was not presented to Pres't Wilson"
Applying the principles laid down.
Ir. Garfield said, he decided that IA
per cent would meet the increased
cost of living. and that operators
could pay II out of profits and still
keep enough mines running to sup
ply the nation with coal under the
fixed price OF S2.35 a ton. The min
| ers decided to refuse and continue
the strike.
Il went home. thinking the matter
was TO be fought out" he said.
And after that. proposals were
/ made in the government to take the
matter out of your hands, in spite
/ OF your magnificent war record, and
/ the way you were standing as a
/ bulwark TO the pubHc?" sen. Ere
| linghuysen interjected.
Il don't wish 20 go into the matter
as to how and where the arrange
ment was made" DR.. Garfield said.
But your proposals UP TO Dec. 4,
/ were the governments" Sen. Myers
said, accepted by all parties as the
| fact and then some change was
made"
! Yes" DR.. Garfield returned
Were you consulted" Sen. Town
/ send asked.
no" Or. Garfield replied
Under insistent questioning, DR.
I Garfield said he had not talked with
John l. Lewis, acting president OF
I the Mine Workers, and VIM. Green,
/ their secretary on the flying visit
made by those officials to Washing
ton a week ago when the strike set
| Element was submitted
No Objections.
/ IF the president should see m to
/ establish a commission to review my
work or my actions or my decision.
] that would not be a, matter 10 which
! could present any objection" DR.
! Garfield said, reiterating that his oh
: Jection was to the basis by which a
: commission, representative of two
/ thirds of the industry and one-third
Of the public becomes lowered with
right to control prices and wages"
Il think that Is a power which the
/ government cannot afford 10 sur
/ render" he said.
DO you know the department OF
} justice, or the department Of labor.
or any other agency Of the govern
ment. and the miners have come 10
| a pra ctical agreement that wages are
! 20 be increased by this commission
above the II per cent YOU prOpos-
/ ed ?" sen. Townsend asked
IT do not know that" Or. Garfield
replied sharply. Il make no state
ment that there has been such an
/ agreement"
Now why have YOU resigned %"