Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-11-27

Washington, Nov. pa government !
plan for setting the soft coal strike which |
embodied fourteen per cent. wage in
crease for miners and the stipulation
that there should be no increase in the
price paid by the public. was laid before
miners and operators tonight by Fuel
Administrator Garfield
John L. Lewis. acting president of the
United Mine Workers of America, an
nounced that the miners would not ac-
cept
After a three hour conference at which
representatives of the miners openly de-
clared the new scale was "insulting" and
sharply questioned Dr. Garfield, the sub
scale committee composed of miners and
operators met to consider the settlement
plan, and q4ickly adjourned. Another
meeting will be held tomorrow.
The miners refusal to accept. while not
announced to DR.. Garfield, was taken by
the opera tors to be definite Thomas T.
Brewster, chairman of the Coal Opera
tors association. declared the Garfield 14
per cent statement formally eliminated
Secretary Wilson'S proposal for 81 per
1 cent. increase.
The operators are ready to negotiate
new wage agreement" Brewster said,
despite DR. Garields statement that the
government will not permit an advance
in the price of COAL
There was a sharp note of protest from
| the miners over the amount of increase,
which was much lower than they had
expected. Frang Harrington, president of
the Illinois district of miners. was cherred
| when he declared that union men In his
State would not accept it, Answering
Harrington. who wanted to know If
1 miners refusing TO work ould be classed
as outlaws, DR.. Garfield said the govern
ment could not compel anybody to work.
but that it would provide every protec-
! ton for those willing to go into the mines
and give the country the coal it needs.
! While the sub-scale committee will give
| consideration to the proposition the full
| committee, representing both sides, will
remain here to receive any plan OF
! settlement that might be agreed upon.
! Operators here will meet tomorrow
| to decide whether to grant the increase
in view of DR. Garfield's positive an
nouncement that no increase in the
price of coal would be allowed. Many
of them shared the view expressed by
| Phil H. Penna, operator, of Terre
Haute. Indiana. that some of the larg-
est companies would be forced to shut
down If that much increase were
| given.
Wllham Greeh' secretary OF the Unit
eu MIhe "orhers ueclareu to-Worro"
wouio see ms emu oi aii neg solia'iohs
as the oper"'ors are opposeu 10 grant
ing any increase and the miners can
not proceed on the figures given by
DR.. Garfield" Many of the miners
said they agreed with Alexander
Howat. president of the Kansas Min
, ers who announced that IF we are un-
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