Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-12
T'0
 AID MINERS 70
 GET NEW SCALE
Secretary Wilson Calls Confer ence Friday to Negotiate
 Basis of Settlement.
BOTH SIDES COMPLY
 WITH HIS REQUEST
Will Take Up Case Where He Left Off Two Weeks Ago, Except That Strike Threat No
 Longer Exists.

, Washington, Nov. 11.-Having forced the miners to call off the coal strike the government set out today to help them negotiate a new wage agreement.
 On the heels of the announcement that Federal Judge Anderson at In- Indianapolis had approved the order promulgated by the United Mine Workers of America, resembling the strike notice, Secretary Wilson in vited representatives of the miners and operators from all the fields in- volved in the walkout to meet here Friday "for the purpose of negotiat- ing a basis of settlement" The miners accepted.
 Mir. Wilson was unofficially advis- ed tonight that the operators would comply with his request. The sec retary was assured by operators and miners that they would endea- vor faithfully to frame a pay scale that would send the 425,000 strik- CTS back to work willingly and at once.
 The secretary of labor will take up his work exactly as it was laid aside two weeks ago, except that no strike threat will hang over the con- ference. Instead of there being pres ent in the conference representa- tives of miners and operators only from the central competitive fields, embracing the states of Indiana, H. linois, Ohio and Western Pennsyl- vania, the conference will include miners from all fields involved in the strike, stretching over more than 20 states. MT. Wilson's action i in broadening the scope of the wage negotiations was surprise to oper- ators. but the larger plan of repre- sentation was adopted becacse of the desire of men from other fields to have a voice in the deliberations. The final breaking up of the strike. with announcement bv tho the command of the federal count brought expressions of snrprise from labor leaders, who frankly had not expected it.
 Federation Statement. 1 There were no statements from federation of labor officers beyond a reply by the executive council to the statement issred last nioht by At- tornev General Palmer. There were few reports as to the return of tho miners to work and it was realizo l that there would be considerable confusion until the leeal noints had been cleared I'D and Lewis' cancella- tion order had reached all districts
 Some labor officials were doubtful if the miners as whole would go back to work before adoption of a new wage program. It was because of this uncertainty that Secretary Wilson and MT. Brewster entered immediate1v on their task.
 Every effort will be made to reacf a speedy agreement at the joint con. ference. .esnecially if miners show lit. tie disnosition meanwhile to return to work.
 The meetings will not be public All of the former demands. including the five day week, the six-hour dav and 60 per cent wage increase vii be wiped from the slate and new start made
 Meanwhile with the strike official ly declared off, the important task as both sides see it, is to get coa production back to normal If any considerable number of miners ar, holdine out when the scale committee assemble. it is probable their firs step will be issuance of an appeal fol
 immediate and whole hearted worl in all the soft coal fields of tn, country.