The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-11-24
MINERS ACCEPT
 PROPOSALSF0R
 WAGE INCREASE
UNIONS AGREE TO SECRETARY WILSON'S PLAN; OPERATORS DEFER ACTION UNTIL AFTER CONSULTATION WITH GAR FIELD MONDAY.

WASHING ON, NOV. ZZ.- - U.ate Wire)-Late tonight the coal operators refused to accept the pro- rosaI of Secretary Wilson for set- clement of the strike by advancing the wages of the workers 31 per cent. They asserte! that the public could not stand any wage advance above that contained in their previous of- fer. They said that they are pro- pared to leave the situation entirely in the hands of Fuel Controller Gar t,e!d and will consult Monday with the controller, Attorney General Palmer, Director General Hines, and Assistant Attorney General Ames.
 MINERS ACCEPT
 WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-(R- Speaking for the coal miners this evening, President- Lewis, of the United Mine Workers, informed Sec retary Wilson that he accepted the proposal made yesterday by him for a wage increase amounting to ap- proximateIy 31 per cent. He said that the men are willing to return to work on that basis.
 OPERATORS DELAY
 WASHINGTON, Nov. 22-R)-Rep- resentatives of the coal operators to- day stopped the conference with min CTS officials over the coal dispute. They will make no response to Sec retary Wilson's proposals until after that consultation with Fuel Adminis- trator Garfield next Monday morning.
 RETURNS MINES
 WILTON, N. D.. Nov. 22.-R-Af- tel being operated less than two weeks by state authorities the Wash burn Ignite mines were returned this afternoon to their owners in accord with an order issued Thursday by the local district court. In its order the court stated that the action of the state in communicating the mines amounted virtually to confiscation. The owners will not attempt to oper- ate them until the strike is declared off.
 REFINERY CLOSES
 GREAT FALLS, Mont, Nov. 22.- (P)-The great copper refinery of the Boston and Montana Copper company will make it's last run tonight until it is able to obtain coal for fuel ac- cording to an announcement made this evening. The plant will shut down tomorrow and its employees will be forced to remain in idleness un- tii the strike is settled.
 BREWSTER PEssiMIsTic
 WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-R--The proposal for ending the coal strike made by Secretary Wilson last night to the miners and operators. it Is understood assumed that the opera tors would pay the strikers an in- crease of 27 cents per ton for dig gers and $1.5S per day for laborers. What other provisions were includ- ed in the offer is unknown.
 There isn't much likelihood that the proposal will be accepted by eith- CT side, according to indications this morning. President T. T. Brewster, of the Operators association, declar- ed that Secretary Wilson's proposal only widened further the breach which already existed between the miners and their employers. Presi- dent Lewis, representing the miners, declined to make any comment on the offer.
 MORE sHUTDoWNs
 CHICAGO. H., Nov. 22.-R-Re- ports received here today show that there have been a large number of industrial plants closed down during the past week, the fourth of the strike of the bituminous coal miners. Most of the plants thus affected are located in the central western sec tion of the country which seems to be experiencing the greatest short age of fuel. Only 1,700 cars of coal have arrived here and they are being used for public utilities and indes- pensible industries only. Non-essen- tial industries are rapidly being closed down.