Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-23
WILSON
OFFERS MORE PAY
Demand for Shorter Day Not
Mentioned in Settlement
Plan. ~L
DECISION is EXPECTED TODAY
Indications Are Government Will
Be Forced to Adopt Other
Means.
DECISION is EXPECTED TODAY

WASHINGTON, Oct. oo.-while COM
mittccs representing miners and oper-
ators. meeting in a final effort to avert
the strike of 100000 soft coal miners
set Tor November l, were on the verge
tonight OF parting company for good,
Secretary OF Labor Wilson held them
together. over nigh, at least. with a
wage increase proposal that ignored
union demands for a thirty four hour
week.
There was every assurance that the
operators would accept it and every
indication that it would be rejected
bodily by the miners.
When the joint conference adjourned
until o'clock tomorrow afternoon it
was with the understanding that the
two groups would meet then and make
formal answer to tie proposal, after
separate consideration. Refusal OF the
miners to accept will bring the con-
ference to a close and force the gov
ernment officials to resort to other
means to prevent the closing OF the
mines with tie first approach of win
ter.
Secretary Wilson Makes ORer.
Secretary Wilson'S offer, which ppe-
ceedings, set forth tie case as fol-
lows:
That wages be increased at the ex-
piration OF tho present contract in an
amount equal 10 the difference be-
tween increases in wages received by
mine workers since July. 1914, and the
that date.
That the increase be effective from
the termination of tie present agree
ment until March~31. 1920.
That on these conditions the strike
order be withdrawn and that the min
ers continue at work on these terms;
that negotiations be entered into at
the usual time for making the new
scale enective after March 81 1920"
Lewis Demands Meaning.
The silence that prevailed during
lie reading OF the terms on which Mr..
wilson hoped to settle the strike was
Tudely broken by quick demand from
John l.. Lewis. president OF the United
Mine Workers of America. that the
secretary explain what he meant in the
opening paragraph of his statement
contract"
The secretary. hearing in mind that
TINS was one OF the principal Issues in
dispute, said it would be matter for
tended that the wartime wage agree
ment under which they have been
working. ended with the armistice,
while operators argue that it will hold
until peace Is formally declared by
ratification of the treaty.
Provides for Negotiations.
II the increase which Mr.. Wilson
would like to see made and accepted d
comes TO pass. it will go into effect i'm
mediately and remain in effect until
March 81, 1920. In the meantime. prob
ably in January and February bot n
sides will begin their regular neEo-
tons for the two years wage scale,
tct
There is nothing in the secretaries
plan which pertains to the working
demands OF the miners. which arc not
ably the request for six hour day
and a five-day week This proposition
would be held temporarily in allegiance,
put would come up when the negotia-
ttons are begun for the regular two
years contract. But by this time the
worst OF the winter would be over and
vitally affected II the two sides fought
it out all summer.