Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-14
SENATE is INVESTIGATING
SETTLEMENT OF STRIKE
Tells Coal subcommittee
residents Plan Is Funda-
mentally Wrong.
SAYS PUBLIC AT DISADVANTAGE.
Possible for Miners and Operators
Representatives to Combine AMI
Advance Wages and Coal Prices ut
Consumers Cost.
tBy Associated Press.


WARRINGTON. Dec. 13.-Principles
underlying President Wilson'S plan for
The settlement OF the coal strike ac
ceptcd by it's miners are fundamental.
W wrong as matter of government.
Hor. Harry A. Garfield. Federal fuel ad-
fninietrator until today. told hastily
assembled subcommittee OF the Senate
tonight.
WILSON'S because of his views. was ac-
4icptcd today with those of ono or two
pr his associates. he said.
While discussing with some freedom
"A cleavage in the Cabinet, caused by
,trtkc settlement negotiations, Dr.
fairfield withheld answers to questions
3 ~ Senator ,FrclinGhuysen, republican,
New Jersey chairman OF the subcom-
3nittcc. on matters he regarded as
! cuching confidential intercourse with
,is former associates during the strike
period.
lie adhered TO this refusal, though
Senator Townsend. Republican, Nichi-
-an. and Senator Myers, Democrat.
Montana. joined the chairman in urg-
,opy of his letter OF resignation which
nc indicated had explained his views
. pr tho President.
VIII Call Others Later.
Senator FrelinEhuysen animated
rst Attorney General Palmer and
4bthcr offcfa Is connected with the set
lnmcnt of tho strike would be called
alter.
My objection" DR.. Garfield said OF
! nc settlement plan. goes to the point
stand will be set up to decide wages
T. ind prices will be composed of three
members. One Ito be miner. another
o be a coal mine operator, and the
bird 20 represent the general public.
Under it, the public. which is the chief
,arty at interest. would always be in
he minority"
HAS it. been your experience with
Employers might have common in
fercst IN increasing wages and costs
Ind passinE shs, inerTsse on the public
May Have Common Interest
They may have that common inter
psf" DR. Garfield responded. qualifying
ais answsr by saying that he was not
charging that this would be the neces-
II believe I represent the real opin-
on OF the President in the matter" he
aid later, that is. II were able to Sc.
his mind"
Fosiations. DR.. Garfield explained tina,
ie thought, members OF the Cabinet
we're standing with him in his sug
Festion Of Is pcr cent in wages. and
acts from which he derived the IA
per cent clause. When this was re-
used, he added, he thought the ques
ion was going to be fought out"
Or. Garfield would not produce
elegram sent him By Acknowledgement
'aimer. confirming that understanding
or which he was asked
Discusses His Proposals.
Discussing proposals which ne had
unlimited 10 the Cabinet, DR.. Garfield
aid:
Il had no power under the Lever act
o fix wages. but did have power TO fix
,Eices, and the determination Of rea-
tha BILE prices involved finally de-
Examination Of reasonable wages. 1
which 1 thought should govern the de-
termination OF reasonable wages. and
unlimited that to the Cabinet"
They were with you on that state
.rinciples stated Dr.. earned re.
ponded. That was one which said
he average wage OF workers in the
IN fixing increases allowed TO meet The
lost OF living. and not the wages of
inglc group. Secretary Of La Dor Will
on desired the increase SO given TO
be estimated on the wages of pick min
What was your objection to that?"
Henator Townsend asked.
Easing the increase on the wage of
yck miners. DR.. Garfield said, would
awe resulted in securing an average
Increase OF l7s par cent in wages in
9l3. when the Secre;ry OF Labor con-
eded the increase in cost of living had
been only 40 per cent"
some members of the Cabinet" DR..
FAIRFIELD said. supported him. and some
he Secretary OF Labor. but all were in
grecment on the balance of the pro-
osal He had finally taken the re-
possibility of putting through his
ettlement suggestion without secur-
nE unanimous agreement OF the
cabinet.
Il conceived myself 10 be the re-
ponsible officer" he said, believing I
ad authority to determine price cues
ions. the matter was not presented
o President Wilson"
Applying the principles laid down,
pr, Garfield said he decided that IA
per cent would meet the increased cost
T living and that operators could paw
out OF profits and still keep enough
hines running to supply the nation
With coal under the fixed price o,
2.35 ton. The miners decided TO re-
use and continue the strike