New-York tribune., 1919-11-27
Union Head Protests Cut
From Labor Secretary's
3l.6O Per Cent Offer:
Operators Meet To-day
Fuel Administrator
Backed by Cabinet
Closing of Many Mines
To Be Forced by Curb
on Prices, Say Owners
Netu York 7'rtbuns
Wdshtn 0ton Bureau

Nefu York 7,tbuns
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.-The
government, through DR.. Harry A.
Garfield, fuel administrator, laid be-
fore miners and operators tonight
a compromise plan for the settle
ment of the bituminous coal strike.
1t would grant a IA per cent wage
increase to the miners and prevent
the operators from increasing the
price Of fuel to consumers.
John l.. Lewis, acting president of
the United Mine Workers of Amer
ica, announced that the miners
would not accept the proposal
Thomas 7. Brewster, chairman Of
the coal operators association, said
the operators were ready to ncgo-
tate a new wage agreement despite
DR.. Garheld's statement that the
government would not permit an ad-
vance in the price of coal.
Another Conference To-day
Another conference Of the miners
end operators on the sub-scalc com
mittee will be held tomorrow to con-
slider the governments proposal.
Members Of the main committee will
remain in Washington pending the
announcement Of any plan of settle
ment.
A close of the negotiations to
morrow was forecast by William
Green, secretary of the United Mine
Workers, who said the operators
were opposed to granting any in
crease and the miners could not pro-
ceed on the figures suggested by DR..
Garfield.
Determination to go home and
fight it OUT if living wage was
not guaranteed was expressed by
Alexander Howat, president of the
Kansas miners, and apparently con
Cured in by the bulk of the miners
conferees.
DIR. Garheld's proposal was termed
insulting" by the miners, who pro
tested vigorously when the govern
ment's plan was read to them.
Closing of Mines Feared
meeting of the operators has been
called for tomorrow to determine their
attitude toward the governments in
sistence that there be no increase in
the retail price of coal Closing Of
many mines was declared inevitable by
some of the operators.
The operators, in a statement issued
through Mr.. Brewster announced their
understanding that Dr. Garfield's pro
posal was a substitute for the wage in
crease of 3l.61 per cent proposed
earlier this week by Secretary Wilson
Of the Department of Labor
Dr. Garfield's proposed increase OF
la per cent in wages was the answer to
the 60 per cent demand made originally
by the miners and abandoned III con
ference this week, and replaced 20 per
cent offered and then withdrawn by
the operators, as we'll as Secretary
! Wilson's scale. The decision to pre-
vent an increase in price had not been
involved heretofore in the proceedings
DR.. Garfield proposed further that
a rI ,rse
resentatives Of both sides, and with
the Secretary of the Interior acting
chairman, and delegated with advisory
powers only. be established TO suggest
basis of settlement for questions still
pending. especially with regard a.
wages, profits and living conditions
Shorter Hours Not Mentioned
DR.. Garfield made no reference &c
shortened hours of labor or shorter
working week. He declared the Ia per
cent increase he proposed was all ths
government believes can be given the
miners without placing them out of line
with workers in other industries and
all that can be given them without
further increase in the price of coal
which he said the government would
not countenance.
He did not indicate what steps the
government mlPnt TAKE IN case the op-
orators and miners do not accept the
IA per cent increase, but all through
the hoars of discussion which followee
has announcement of the Cabinets dc
cision he made it clear that the whole
purpose is to protect the public, ano
that this purpose will be followed, ne
matter what happens
Mr.. Garfield declined to say in re
sponse to questions from represent
stives of the miners that they woulc
be regarded as law breakers if the,
refused to accept hihproposal. but hs