Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-19
u. s. Won Coal Fight,
Palmer Declares
contInuea From Pasc Ono

Continued From PaEo One
the end, resolved to see the injunction
order obeyed as best as ! could, i'll the
hope that production of coal would be
gradually resumed"
Mr., Palmer then told of the conference
he had with John l.. Lewis and Will
liam Green, president and secretary OF
the miners union, on December u,
which was arranged by John ]. Keegan,
of the Department of Labor. At that
time, the attorney general said, cita-
tions had then been issued against
Lewis, Green and other officials of the
union.
Government Stood Firm
Mr.. Palmer said that when Lewis
and. Green arrived from indianapolis he
told them the governments position
would be maintained and that no
change in it would be permitted.
WAS Doctor Garfeld's s plan consid-
ered?" interrupted Senator Townsend
"At the conference with these gen
tlemen," Mr.. Palmer said, II informed
them that If the men went back to work
the Presidents assurance of fair set
Element would be carried out. They
pleaded for a 81 per cent advance in
wages, but / said that was not part of
the job. ! told them the government
could not surrender to the United Mine
Workers, and was bound to win in the
end. The President. the Department of
Justice and the Federal Court had
agreed.
Palmer Consulted Garfield
''They left me at z p. m. without
saying what they were going to do, but
came back later with Mr.. Tumulty
secretary to the President. then read
TO them the Presidents statement of
December 8, and they announced that
they were ready to acquiesce in it." Mr..
Palmer said that between the two meet
ings he talked with Fuel Administrator
Garfield.
HE was in accord with your at
tempt to get settlement?' Senator
Townsend asked.
Don't call it settlement, SEN
ator," Mr.. Palmer replied. "I made
no compromise, no concessions with the
men. except one, which was that the
Presidents statement of December g
be withheld until they could give it
to their union associates at Indian
apolis first. 1 yielded to their request
on that point. "r
Likens Garfield and Wilson Plans
"There was no ,material difference
between Doctor Garfield's plan which
called for return of the men to work
and creation of consultative body
to investigate and report as to the
facts on which n new wage agreement
might be arrived at, and the Presi
delt's plan"
Senator Wolcott, Democrat, of
Delaware, questioned this conclusion
II knew what the President meant
by his statement" Mr.. Palmer re-
tPrted. "Thes agreement with the
miners was drawn accordingly"
Ibid you discuss with Lewis and
Green how the commission was to get
this power of fixing wages and prices? %
asked Senator Frelinghuysen, Republi-
can, of New Jersey, chairman of the
committee. ,l
''I did not" Mr.. Palmer replied. He
explained that the memorandum of
agreement was drawn up on the train
Green from Washington to Indianap-
oils.
President Approved Memorandum
''Did the President approve that
memorandum? p Snator Townsend
asked.
"He did," Mr.. Palmer replied. 81
wired the memorandum to him."
'Did you submit it to Lewis. and
Green first?''
"Yes."
AT the request of the committee he
inserted into the records the copy of
the telegram sent to the President.
The examination of the attorney gem
erai was interrupted at this point SO
senator's might attend the Senate ses
sion. 1t was planned to continue the
inquiry late today.