The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-14
Chief OBSTACLE
TO BE QUESTION
OF TERMINATION
1918 AGREEMENT
Both Sides Are Hopeful
Question Can Be Disposed
of Along With Demands
For More Pay and
Shorter Hours


Washington, November IL.
Coal miners and operators
from the nations bituminous
fields will enter into negotia-
tions here tomorrow for a new
wage agreement with the ques-
ton of the time of termination
of the w ashington wage agree
ment Of 1918 apparently as the
chief stumbling block.
Both miners and operators on the
eve of the conference at which the
points in dispute In the recent strike
are expected to be settled, were hope
full, however, as to the outcome, and
expressed the belief that the questions
of when the Washington agreement
terminated could be disposed of through
mutual agreement along with the de-
mands of the miners for SO per cent
increase in pay and shorter hours.
Announcement by the executive
committee of the operators of the
central competitive field, in for
NAL statement tonight, that the
Washington agreement is of
the matters "t0 be determined by
the conference was taken gener-
ally TO mean that the operators do
not intend to stand pat on their
contention that present contracts
remain in effect during the "dlrra-
ton OF The war; or until March
81. 1920. in case a satisfactory set
Element Is made with the miners
on that and other points.
NO ATTEMPT AT TRAP"
The statement disclaimed that the
message from z. 7. Brewster, presi-
dent of the coal operators association
in the central competitive fields, in
wiling the miners to conference ito
negotiate asecontract to be in force
upon the termination of the contract
now in effect" was an aattempt to ZEN
trap the miners into tacit acknowl-
edgment" OF the binding force of the
contracts, and pointed out that the
text of the telegram was almost iden-
teal with that of the call for the Buff
falo conference.
1t was said by those in close touch
with the situation that the operators
were going into the conference to-
morrow in a conciliatory spirit, and
would not insist on the Interpretation
that the war is not over. although
their stand has been supported by the
pronouncement of the administration
indianapolis.
Miners arriving here today for the
parley attached significance to the
announcement by Secretary of Labor
Wilson that Fuel administrator Gar
field has accepted his invitation to pc
present at the opening of the confer
ence. No explanation of the role Dr.
Garfield is to play is given other than
the statement that as it was through
his influence that the Washington
agreement was negotiated, his pres
ence was logically to be expected
There was speculation as to whether
the fuel administrator. with revived
war powers, might not be able to exer-
else his authority in a similar manner
on this occasion.
TO CONSULT GARFIELD
DR. Garfield will not arrive until to-
morrow morning, bur at the fuel ad-
1ninistartion offices here 1t was said
that, Dr. Garfield's opinion might he
asked as to- how much of the burden
of inreased cost of production of coal +,
in case wage advance is agreed to,
the public should be called upon to
bear.
The conference will begin at 2:so
o'clock instead of at II o'clock the |
department of labor announced to- |
night. owing to the fact that John L. |
Lewis, acting president of the United
Mine Workers of America. and other /
participants will pot arrive until after
noon. On account of the storm in |
northwestern states. number of mine
officials and operators are not ex- l
pected to arrive before Saturday or !
perhaps later.
The first question to come before |
the conferees will be whether the pro-
ceedings shall be open. Secretary will
son said today that ne would recon-
mend that newspaper representatives
be admitted to the conference hall.
PROBING BIRMINGHAM RUMOR
In keeping with his recent an
nouncement that operators as well
miners attempting to restrict
the output 81 coal would he prose-
cuted. Attorney General Palmer to-
day sought fugvher Information