The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1919-12-22
NEVER AGREED TO
PALMER-LEWIS PACT
SAY COAL OPERATORS
CnHTINuED FROM FACE ONE

Tho operators will stand by the
acceptance Of the Garfield proposal.
Tho Presidents letter OF December 6
referred specifically TO II and IL
seemed clear to the minds OF the op-
orators that it was the intent OF the
President that the Garfield proposal
WAS IL be used as the basis OF set
Element OF the wage controversy.
The operators never have been
consulted in regard to the memoran-
dunn which was drawn by the Attor-
ney General in conference with Presi-
dent Lewis and Secretary Green. Of
the miners organization.
The memorandum goes far beyond
the Garfield proposal to which they
assented.
Point Out Radical Differences.
The operators point out the fol-
lowing radical differences between the
Garfield proposal and the Palmer
Lewis memorandum which was ac-
cepted at Indianapolis:
Il. The Garfield proposal would have
established board with advisory
powers only. The Palmer-Lewis me-
! morandum would establish a commits
sion not advisory in character, but
with full power definitely to fix coal
| prices. wages. differentials and to de-
| termine the details of working condi-
tions within each district covered by
the memorandum.
- 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 re-
view. in order to make an Intelligent
decision would be an interminable
task. These matters are of vital i'm
portance to the coal industry. The
differentiaIS themselves are not in dis
pute.
%. Furthermore. the findings of the
commission contemplated by the Pal
mer-Lewis memorandum may be maze
retroactive without Limitation as TO
time.
There are other important differ
ences between the Garfield proposal
and the Palmer-Lewis memorandum
which have not been made clear to
! the operators up to this time
The operators repeat that they
have never agreed to the Palmer
| Lewis memoranda. and that they
still stand upon their agreement to
accept the terms of the GARFIELD pro-
pOsal They will unite with all the
+
SO that. in the final conclusion of
this matter. all interests will be
faithfully protected and served. and
a practicable solution, of the prob
Jem worked out"
Senator Townsend. of Michigan,
one Of the members of the Senate
subcommittee which has been in
vestigating the coal strike. said to-
day:
Il know nothing of any OF the
members Of the commission save Mr.
White. who was. ! believe. regarded
as quite influential in some admits
tration circles by DIR. Garfield when
he was with the Fuel Administra-
: ton.
Il think the operators are telling
the truth when they say they knew
nothing of the present agreement
! All they knew was the agreeme mt
announced by DIR. Garfield.
! y don't think IL was square
deal There was compromises, and
] ! can see lots of trouble ahead for
both the miners and the operators.
( or course. everyone is in favor of
permanent commission to settle the
disputes in the coal industry, but
! to have II commission appointed the
majority OF which is against the
public. is not 4 proper way to settle
the matter