New-York tribune., 1919-12-22
Chief Objection Is Based
on PowerCiven to Com
mission 10 Fix Wages
and Working Conditions
Cling to CarGeld's
l4% Proposition
Never Heard of Later Pro-
pesal Until 1t Was An
nounced inIndianapolis
Nec York Tribune
Wdshin oton Bureou

Netc York Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-The
coal operators, after a meeting here
to-day, announced that they will not
accept the terms of the agreement
prepared by Attorney General Pal
mer and John l.. Lewis, acting presi
dent of the United Mine Workers of
America, which the miners accepted
as the basis for the settlement of the
coal strike.
The operators declared they had
not accepted the memorandum and
that they did not know of it's exist
ence until after it had been accepted
at the Indianapolis conference on
December II.
They still stand by the Garfield
proposal for a Ia per cent increase
in wages, the operators announced.
They opposed the Palmer-Lewis
agreement on the ground the coal
commission created under the agree
nent to settle the differences be-
tween the miners and operators
would have unlimited power to fix
wages and hours and other condi-
tions of labor.
OnarofOro Eyn1o;,, Doc:t;.>,,
The statement of the operators fol-
lows:
"ln the light of the statement of At
torney General Palmer of yesterday.
in which he says that ct would be an
amazing reputation of their own state
ments if the operators did not acquiesce
IN the plan which their official repre-
sentatives have repeatedly agreed to-
IN the settlement of the coal strike,
the bftuminous coal operators feel i'm
PEELED to restate their attitude so that
1t may be clearly appreciated by the
public.
Attorney General Palmer in his
statement of yesterday. asserted that
the operators had agreed to the mem
orandum of the Attorney General and
John l.. Lewis, acting president of the
United Mine Workers of America. law
ing down the terms Of agreement for
settlement Of the coal strike. The fact
is that the operators never learned of
the existence of that agreement until
after it had been accepted by the
miners at the Indianapolis conference,
December H.
Garfield Proposal Approved
- The operators accept the proposal
o. the government, presented through
DR.. Garfield, former Fuel Administra-
sons letter of December g. Under the
terms of this proposal the mine con-
troversy was to be settled on the basis
or the five principles announced by
Dr. Garfield. The application OF one
Oh these principles determined the IA
per cent advance which was granted
the miners. The Garfield proposal
further provides for the ablishment
OF a board with advisory powers only.
"The operators still stand by the
acceptance of the Garfield proposal.
The Presidents letter of December 6
referred specifically to it and it seemed
clear to the minds of the operators
that 1T was the intent of the President
that the Garfield proposal was to be
used as the basis of settlement of the
wage controversy.
THE operators never have been con-
suited in regard to the memorandum
which was drawn by the Attorney Cen
eral in conference with President Lewis
and Secretary Green Of the miners or
ganization.
THE memorandum goes far beyond
the Garfield proposal to which they as
sented.
Differences Are Defined
"The operators point out the follow
ing radical differences between the
Garfield proposal and the Palmer Lewis
memorandum which was accepted at
indianapolis:
Il: The Garfield proposal would have
cstabilshed board with advisory pow
ers only. The Palmer Lewis memoran-
dunn agreement would establish COM
mission not advisory in character. but
with full power definitely to fix coal
prices, wages, dfferentials, and to de-
termlne the details of working con-
dltlons within each district covered bv
the memorandum
Y. The question of differentials and
internal working conditions in the
many bituminous coal fields affected by
this memorandum are so involved and
complicated that a complete review, in
order to make an Intelligent decision.
would be an interminable task These
matters are of vital Importance to the
coal industry. The ditferentials them
selves are not in dispute.
- Furthermore, the findings Of the
commission contemplated by the Pal
mcrLewis memorandum may be made
retroactive without limitation as to
time
There are other important differ
ences between the Garfield proposal and
the Palmer Lewis memorandum which
have net been made clear to the opera
tors up to this time.
THE operators repeat that they have
never agreed to the Palmer Lewis mem
orandum and that they still stand upon
their agreement to accept the terms of
the Garfield proposal. They will unite
with all the we'll thinking people of the
so that. in the final conclusion
of this matter, all interests will be
faithfully protected and served and q
practicable solution Of the /problem
worked out"
General Conference Called
Before the operators finally agree
apon their policy toward the Presiden-
Continued on page eight