Evening star., 1919-12-31

After long negotiations, Secretary OF
Labor Wilson, on November %, pre-
sented a compromise providing Tor an
increase in wages amounting TO 3i.ol
per cent, with provision for e seven
hour day and half holiday on Sat-
urday. This. proposal was accepted
ny the miners, but refused by tine
| operators. On November 26 DR.. Harry
| A. Garfield. federal fuel administrator.
with' the approval of President Will
| sons cabinet. presented a compromise
providing for a IA per cent increase
to ,the miners. with the stipulation
THAT the operators were not to be
permitted to increase the price of fue!
to consumers. The miners refused
Ia accept this proposal, and on No
vember 27 all negotiations for asset
tlement were ended Facing a fue!
famines the federal government and
state officials placed restrictions upon
the use of coal throughout the Gown
try. Extraordinary restriction or
business was ordered on December 3
where adj banks. offices and retail
stores were limited to a sN-and-one- =
halfhour day. Suburban and loGai
transportation was curtailed and all
display lights were prohibited. Re-
strictions of a similar natures We're
later extended to all parts of the
country.
On December 6 a compromise pro-
posed by President Wilson. through
government officials, was. accepted by
officers of the United Mines Workers
Of America. This proposal was sub
mitted to a meeting of the executive
committee of the mine workers at. In
dianapolis on December 9. and on the
following day it. was accepted. Un-
der this compromise the miners were
to receive an advance of II per cent
in wages pending an investigation of
the entire controversy between miners
and operators by a commission 10 be
appointed by President Wilson.
On December 10 it was announced
that Or. Garfield had resigned as
Garfield Resigns beeause aanfisraaer of his dis
as Fuel Chief sheisfastien she settlement o9 +
the strike, expressing his belief that
the result would be an increase in
coal prices. to the consumer.
+ Plans for the formation of a new
labor party were formulated at ma
tional convention opening in Chicago
on November %. 1t was decided that
q national convention would be held
next summer for the purpose of nomi-
and Vice President. Plans for flu
sion of farmers and labor 'organiZa-
tions. failed and all former delegates
Withdrew from the convention:
On october 10 bituminouS coal
miners were ordered to quit work on
October 81. uppn. failure of the miners
and operators to agree upon. a new
schedule of wages and hours. The
leaders of the miners refused to con-
slider an appeal by President Wilson
calling off the strike: pending an eff
fort to effect compromise. and the
government proceeded to take vigor-
Gus steps to prevent the shutting Of
the mines. The Department Of Justice
asked for an Injunction from Federal
Judge Anderson at Indianapolis to
prevent the leaders of the union from
directing the strike. The strike be-
gan on November 1. but on November
8 Judge Anderson ordered that it be
called off by November H.. On Novem-
ber the American Federation of La
Dor executive committee pledged full
support of the coal strikers, but Of
f1cials of the miners union decided tc
obey the mandate of the court and on
November IL cancelled the strike or
der. The. miners. however. refused ia
to return to work pending the out
come of the conference to be held by
the operators and miners at Washing
ton: .