Arizona republican., 1919-12-14

While discussing with some free dom "a cleavage in the cabinet caused by strike settlement negotiations, Dr. Garfield withheld answers to questions by Senator Frelinghuysen, republican, New Jersey, chairman of the sub-com- mittee, on matters he regarded as touching confidential intercourse with his former associates during the strike period. He adhered to this refusal, although Senator
 can, Michigan, and Senator Myers, democrat, Montana. joined the chair man in urging replies, and refused to furnish copy of his letter of resigna- tion, which he indicated had explained his views to the president.
 Senator Frelinghuysen intimated that Attorney General Palmer and other officials connected with the strike settlement would be called on later.
 Public in Minority
 My objection Garfield said of the settlement plan. "goes to the point that the commission, which I under stood will be set up to decide wages and prices, is to be composed of three members, one to be a miner, another to be a coal mine operator and the luIFQ LO represent tDe pUDllC. L. IQcE it, the public, which is the chief par ty at interest, would always be in the minority
 Has it been your experience with the coal industry that employees and em- ployers might have common interest in increasing wages and costs and passing that increase on to the public in prices ?" Senator Townsend asked
 H1hav may b1Na that
 interest" MT. Garfield responded,
 qualifying his answer by saying
 that he was not charging that this
 would be the necessary result.
 T believe l represent the real opin- ion of the president in the matter" he said later, that is, if were able to see him and talk it over, because I know his mind"
 Hints Agreement Broken
 Sketching the history of the strike negotiations, Dr. Garfield explained that he thought members of the cabf- net were standing with him in his sug- gestion of IA per cent wage increase and an advisory commission to re- view the facts from which he derived the IA per cent clause. When this was refused, he added, he thought that question was going to be fought out Dr. Garfield would not produce tele- gram sent him by Attorney General Palmer, confirming that understand ing for which he asked.
 Discussing proposals which he had submitted to the cabinet. Dr. Garfield said:
 Il had no power under the Lever act to ike wages, but did have power to fix prices, and the determination of reasonable prices involving finally 8 determination of reasonable wages, ] | drew up a statement of conditions l which l thought should govern wages 1 and submitted it to the cabinet" Were they with you on that? Senator Frelinghuysen asked. | Yes; except as to the second o1 the principles stated" Mir. Garfield responded. That was one which sait | the average wage of workers in the | industry ought to be taken as a guide in fixing increases allowed to meet tn, cost of living and not the wages of { single group. Secretary of Labor Will son desired the increases so given tt be estimated on the wages of picl | miners"
 Opposes Wilson Proposal as Unfai
 What was your objection to that :? SendtOf townsend asked
 Easing the increase on the wage O pick miners Dr. Garfield said, "woul, have resulted in securing an averag increase of 119 per cent in wages il the industry over the period sine 1913, when the secretary of labor con ceded that the increase of cost O living had been only 79 per cent"
 Some members of the cabinet, DI Garfield said. supported him and som the secretary of labor, but all were i agreement on the balance of the pro | posals. He had finally taken the re sponsibility of putting through his set clement suggestion without securing unanimous agreement of the cabine
 T conceived myself to be the re sponsible officer" he said, 'belieyin that had authority to determine pric questions. The matter was not ore sented to President Wilson"
 Applying the principles laid dow Dr. Garfield said he decided that ] per cent would meet the increased co: of living and that operators could pa it out of profits and still keep enoue mines running to supply the natiC with coal under the fixed price $2.35 a ton. The miners decided refuse and continue the strike.
 T went home thinking the matt, was to be fought out" he said
 Matter Taken From GarfieId's Han,
 And after that <propQsals were mat