Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1919-11-15
WILSON BRINGS
FORTH PLAN To
END COAL FIGHT
Tells Conference 30-Hour
Week Is Impossible-Ad-
vances Three Plans to
Bring About Peace
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

lhCpdbiiNdN ~ GSdsCO WiSI
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14-Demands
Of coal miners for a 30-hour week and
a so per cent increase in wages and
an unyielding position by the operators
alike were declared impossible by
Secretary Wilson in opening today the
conference called to bring peace to
the bituminous coal fields of the ma
tion. To obtain this peace the secre-
tary proposed three plans of procedure.
Declaring that the Washington wage
agreement still is legally in force Mr.
Wilson told the operators and rne
miners the people of the United States
were not "shylocks" and do not want
to exact "the technical provisions of a
bond when the conditions under which
the bond was made have changed"
He added that If any great change is
made in the contracts the people of
the United States are the ones who will
have to pay and throughout his re-
marks emphasized the public interest
in the coal settlement.
The three proposals expected to aid
the two factions in arranging the new
wage agreement were set forth by the
secretary as follows:
First, negotiation through a joint
wage scale committees representing all
districts; second, negotiation through
concurrent session of committees from
the various districts and, third, nego-
tiation first of an agreement in the
central competitive and then of agree
ments for other fields with that of the
central district as basis.
Will Consider Plans
! After hearing Secretary Wilson the
conference adjourned until 10 o'clock
| tomorrow to permit the miners and
operators to discuss separately the
plan which would be most acceptable
to each.
Indication of a conflict on the scope
of the agreement to be negotiated In
volving the question of recognition OF
non union workers developed at the
| outset of the conference and became
more apparent in the two group meet
ings which followed.
Discussion in the miners caucu.
which followed the conference session
hinged on the question whether op
orators representing both union ant
nom union fields would be included ii
the conference, and the effect an,
agreement reached by the conferenc,
might have in these fields where tn,
miners do not have contracts with tn,
operators. Although officers of tn,
United Mine Workers refused to maxi,
any statement following their meeting
1t was learned that the plan for a ma
wide conference was favored, bu
before any proposal is agreai to; Sec
retary Wilson will be asked to maxi
clear to the conference that the right
Of organized labor are to be protecte,
in those districts where the minin
| unions are not recognized by the Goa
companies.
One Phase Not Favored
The operators, however, did not loo
with favor on an agreement coverin
all fields. The Washington wage agree
ment, Tor the first time, the operator
! asserted. fixed the same date for tn
expiration of contracts between min
ers and operators in all parts of tn
. country. Fear of the power this ar
rangement gives the workers TO brin
about a nationwide strike was ex
pressed by the operators. who indicate
a desire to return to the old plan G
2 basing all wage scale contracts on th
I agreement reached in the centre
competitive fields. Owners of mine
outside of the central competitiv
: flelds conferred before the opening {
the conference and opposition was ex
pressed 10 participation in the nego
, tiations.
: Owing to the likelihood of protracte
discussion on the scope of the confer
, ence before even the demands of til
miners are brought into issue. man
l. on both sides of the controversy pre-
dicted today that the sessions migf
continue for several weeks.
Both miners and employers asserte
tonight that Secretary Wilson's addres
would have powerful effect in bring
ing closer together the extremes I
both sides. The secretary's addres
which was heard by approximately 2F
members of the conference in abso1l1,
silence, was delivered slowly and an
parently with deep feeling and cor
vlction- The only applause of the Sc.
l sion greeted Mr.. Lewis when he er
: tered the hall about Is minutes LAT
1 Secretary Wilson had delayed calIir
the meeting to order until the mine
chief arrived.