The Washington times., 1919-11-18
MINE OWNERS SEEK
WAGESFROM TAXES
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of coal by contract, which, during the
! first eight months of last year, was
/ not affected by the cost-plus prices
of the Federal Fuel Administration.
Operators declared that IL this plan
were adopted, IL would take consider
able time to work out the actual
amount of increases which the miners
would get.
Cabinet Discusses Situation.
President Wilson's Cabinet dis
cussed the coal situation today, and
Secretary of Labor Wilson rendered
report that conditions promised a
settlement
I'VE are on the road-getting along
slowly" Secretary Wilson said before
entering the Cabinet.
DR.. Garfield was present at the
Cabinet meeting.
Both sides are shouting the cry OF
bad faith" The operators say the
miners policy is open defiance OF the
Government and law, and that the
revocation of the strike order was an
empty gesture. Four hundred thou
sand men remain out. and production
OhG-lulEO OL
The miners say the operators are
trying to dirk their union, and have
brought to the attention of Attorney
General Palmer an accumulation of
charges telegraphed from the mining
districts, showing the kind of war
fare the workers are up against.
These accusations will be investi-
gated by the Department OF Justice,
and the result will have a direct bear
ing on the future course of the mine
leaders. II the miners can make good
their claims that the operators them
selves are curtailing and restricting
production, by discriminating against
unionists returning to work, the Gov
ernment will have new leverage in
the controversy. 1t will be in a posi-
ton to exert severe pressure on both
! sides.
Operators Give Views.
The operators yesterday discussed
wage advances in the light of price
control by the Fuel Administration,
over a protracted period. II they had
| an-opeg market and the right to
gauge prices by the operation of the
law of supply and demand, their task
would be simplified, they stated.
They would be enabled to tell the
nation what an increase of wages
would mean in dollars and cents, and
| to disclose the new scale of prices
they would have to fix. But as long
as the Fuel Administra tion is in eN-
istence, they are fettered by form
of supervision which they find irk-
| some Owing to the length of their
conference yesterday among them
selves, DR.. Garfield was not request
ed to give an outline of what his fu-
ture policy would be; but according
| to the best information obtainable,
the whole policy of the operators in
| their counter proposal to the miners
will hinge upon the attitude OF the
| Government
Don't Like Z. S. Control
The specter lowering over the
| operators is not non-production OF
| coal so much as an indefinite period
! of Government wartime control II
they were assured that substantial
concession to the miners, followed
| by a resumption of normal prpduc-
ton, would mean the withdrawal OF
| fuel administration restrictions, the
operators would be in position 10
go ahead, they claim. They will ask
| some hint as to Government policy
before going much further with the
negotiations.
| The operators are ready now, IL is
| reported to offer an increase OF
wages to the miners of about 20 pei
cent, or less-an offer which Lewis
and his confereres are certain to re-
ject Despite the general feeling or
10th side that the conference must
not be allowed to fail, there is no In
dication, so far, that they are get
ting together. The operators have
caucused for three days without re
suit.
Real Coal Famine Ahead.
In the meantime, tangible evidence
of a real coal famine is mounting. In
dustrial managers are flooding th'
railroads with demands for fuel
Scores of factories are nearly face Il
face and shut down, and pinch Ii
becoming acute in many district
which for years have had FIRST CALI
on the supply. The action OF th'
Kansas authorities in taking Owe
the mines of that State Is commended
in Washington.
The operators of the central com
petitive fields, headed by Thomas I
Brewster. have reports showing tina
not mine in western Pennsylvan: a
, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois is opera :
ing. Small gains are shown in Yves
) Virginia, Central and northern Penn
: | hShNNNhs' -N4S
bama, and Maryland.
The big nonunion fields in wester:
r Virginia are operating, but are suS
fering from car shortage.
t 100000 Tons Short.
The normal coal production at thi!
time of year is about 100000 ton!
weekly, and the current production !!
barely more than 100000 tons, ac
cording to the reports OF the opera
: tors. However, there is a substan
tial gain in production over las
. week.
= The operators also say that the
: order resembling the strike was no
sent out by the miners officials OF
the accustomed official stationery
duly sealed. and that this is having
a marked effect in keeping the indi'
vidual miners from going back Il
work. The miners say there was M
Joker in their compliance VIII
, Judge Apderson's order