The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-11-29
COAL STRIKE is
BEFORE CABINET
Presidents Advisors Are Dead
locked On Great Industrial
Problem
NO AGREEMENT REACH
ED ON WAGE SCALE
Six Hour Session Held Without
Reaching Any Kind of Decis-
ion

Reaching Any Kind OF Dec1S-
ion
Washington, Nov 25.-Like the
miners and operators whose troubles
it was trying to adjust, President Will
sons cabinet tonight seemed hopeless
ly deadlocked on the question of a
wage increase in the bituminous coal
industry.
After a six hour session the cabinet
which took up the wage scale agree
ment where operators and miners left
off last week, adjourned until tolnor-
row when another attempt with the
aid of Fuel Administrator Garfield,
will be made to agree upon pay
scale that will satisfy the mine work
ers and owners and the people in all
sections Of the country who are clam
oring for normal production Of coal
The proper basis Of calculating the
proposed wage advance, and the ratio
Of dividing the consequent increase
in cost of production of coal between
the operator and the public, are un-
derstood to have been the points Of
difference among the cabinet mem
bers Dr. Garfield, who took a lead
ing part i'll the discussions. took issue
with Secretary of Labor Wilson as to
the method of applying the figures ac-
cepted by both.
No statement was forthcoming af-
ter the meeting except an announce
ment by Dr. Garfield that the cabi-
net would meet again tomorrow and
that he would. not see either the min
ers or operators meanwhile. He de-
clined to say whether progress had
been made but one member Of the
cabinet declared prospects Of an
agreement were mot hopeless"
! Secretary Wilson'S estimate that
the cost of living has increased ~
per cent: over 1871 was accepted, IT
was understood but difference OF
opinion arose as to the application OF
this and other figures in computing
an increase in wages.
Secretary Glass said tonight ths
he nigh. have some very interestiH
figures" tomorrow, emphasizing tn =
IQGN ildG pCSll (OlIt PtlSN lOA SAAN
and not for the cabinet. He d9Dhed
to say whether they were the income
tax returns received by the treasury
department on excess profits from the
coal industry. Significance was at
tached to this announcement in view
Of the fact that the amount Of profit
made by the coal companies during
the last two years, and the percent
age of increase in any possible wage
advance which the operators might be
asked TO bear, have Eeen the most
bitterly disputed points in the contro-
versy
The statement Of former Secretary
Of the Treasury McAdoo charging that
some coal concerns made enormous
profits during his incumbency came
in for discussion at the cabinet meet
ing, it was learned, but no one would
say what form the discussion took.
The Lever food control act was not
mentioned at the meeting. Ii was said.
Owing to the time consumed on other
matters, it was not believed that the
cabinet discussed methods Of enforc-
ing it's decision in case a verdict
should not be acceptable to workers
or mine owners.
Director General Hines attended the
session but declined TO say what took
place.
Before the meeting this morning,
Attorney General Palmer said that II
the figures as TO operators profits
given yesterday by Mr.. McAdoo were
correct it was not likely DR.. Garfield
would permit an increased price for
coal
In statement bearing on this is
sue, the operators said that condl-
tions in 1917 were abnormal but
that as Mr. McAdoo was Ignorant
of conditions in 1918 and 1919 his
message carries no weight and re-
quires no answer
The operators said they welcomed
an investigation Of current tax re-
turns. and that they had been urging
a board of arbitration or a tribunal OF
investigation but that the miners re-
fused to agree to it.
The subscale committee held per-
functory meeting today, at which DR..
Garfclds statement of principles was
discussed. Pending word from the
cabinet. adjournment was taken until
tomorrow.
Neither operators nor miners were
hopeful tonight Of 81 settlement before
next week. While the subscalc com
nittee plans to remain in session. ad-
iourning from day 10 day. many op-
orators have arranged to spend
Thanksgiving day at their homes.
Charging that Secretary McAdoo
has been 'studiously malicious Geo.
H. Cushing. managing director of the
American Wholesale Coal association,
in a statement tonight explained that
the 1000 per cent Of which the form
er secretary complained was not hG-
ured on either volume OF business or
capital stock. This percentage, ne
said. was made in the case OF aA'an-
doned mines worked on cooperative
basis, where the only capital CONSIST
ed Of tools and supplies
al -