The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-11-29
Presidents Cabinet Will Con-
slider the Strike Situation
Today
DECISIONS ON POLICY
MAY BE EXPECTED
President Wilson Believed to
Have Definite idea on the
Subject

Washington, NO. Z4.--Settle1nenI OIL
the controversy over new vase
agreement in the bituninous coal ir-
lustry tonight awaited action by Pres
ident Wilson's cabinet.
At the meeting of the cabinet to-
morrow a definite decision of policy
regarding all phases of the strike sit
uation is expected and if the cabinet
is in disagreement the whole question
may be put before the president.
Fuel Administrator Garfield, speak
ing to the joint wage scale commit
tees of operators and miners, an
nounced five principles which have
governed" him and his associates,
but different interpretations were
placed upon its various provisions by
the workers and the mine owners IN
informal discussions after the meet
ing.
DR.. aGrfeld called the miners and
operators together after a lengthy
conference with Attorney General
Palmer, Director General Hines and
Assistant Attorney General Ames.
Owing to the disagreement which
had arisen as to the amount OF the
increase in the cost of living, and coil
sequently the per cent. of wage ad-
vances needed to meet higher living
costs, great significance was attached
to Dr. Garfelds declaration that the
average total increase in pay over the
1913 base. which was the base conslI-
cred in 1917, should not exceed the
~
over the same base.
ct is also to be considered that the
cost of living will fall rather than
rise during the next few yers,' he
added.
Operators construed this statement
as in conflict with the contention OF
Secretary Wilson that miners should
be given a 81 per cent. wage advance
to equalize the margin between pres
ent wages and 79 per cent. rise IN
living cost sine 1914.
Pointing out that war time coal
prices were fixed for the purpose CT
stimulating production. DR.. Garfield
declared that the public would not
now pay the increase over normal
profits allowed during the war HIS
further statement that any wage in
crease should be borne by the oper-
ators or the public or both was gen.
orally taken to mean that part of the
advance must come out of the. excess
profits of the mining companies.
The FIVE principles announced by
Dr. Garfield were:
"Fjrst-the' public must not be
asked to pay more for coal than 1T is
now paying for coal unless it IS nee
essary to do so in order to provide
reasonable wages to the mine work
ers and a reasonable profit to the
operators.
'Second-The arrangement entered
into between the operators, the mine
workers and the fuel administration
with the sanction of the president OF
the United States in October, 1917,
was intended to equalize the wage OF
classes of mine workers and to be
sufficient to cover the period OF the
war, but not beyond March 81 1920;
hence, \the only increase in cost OF
living which can now be considered
is the increase above that provided
for by the average increase in 1917;
that is 20 say, the average total in
crease in pay over the 1913 base,
which was tAe base considered in
1917. should not exceed the present
average increase in the cost OF llvlng
over the same base. 1t is also to be
considered that the cost OF living will
fall rather than rise during the next
few years.
."Third-The MAXIMUM prices fixed
by the government OH coal were cal
culated to increase production OF coal
for war purposes. Coal was basic and
the increase Imperative The public
ought not to be asked to pay, and Will
not now pay the increase over nor
NAL profits then allowed for the pur-
pose OF stimulating production.
"Fourth-Any increase in wages
now arrived at on the basis Of the
foregoing principles should be the
ope ltors or the public or both as
may be determined by the app!ica-
tions Of these principles and shoald
take effect as of the date when TIE
men return to work.
'Fifth-The needs of the United
States are not alone to be considered:
Europe is in desperate need OF coal
and should have all that we can
spare.
Thomas T. Brewster, chairman OF
the operators, SAID, that DIR. Garfield's
pronouncement merely reatflrmed the
statements Of the fuel administrator
before the wage scale committees last
week.
Il do not know what IT all means"
was the only CONNER mt OF John l..
Lewis, acting president OF the United
Mine Workers.
When the coal situation comes be-
fore the cabinet tomorrow. sharp dit
ference of opinion betwee,p some mem
bers is expected. Representatives OF
the operators have made the claim
repeatedly that the proposal of Secre-
..!1so- *o- 2 wa5e 16va--ce o-