The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-10-25


Washington, Oct. 24.-Fmal appeal
was made direct to President today 80
prevent the strike of half million
coal miners. called for Nov. l. after
miners and operators, meeting jointly
with Secretary Wilson, had turned
down two propositions 10 negotiate u
new wage agreement.
While ON the point of breaking up,
the TWO groups needing the plea Of
Secretary Wilson, agreed to return at
o'clock this afternoon to receive u
message which the secretary hoped TO
bring from the president.
Operators and miners rejected a pro
posal b. Secretary Wilson that they
negotiate a new wage agreement cal
culated TO avert the strike Of soft coal
miners called for Nov. /. The oper.
ators would not accept because the
miners refused to withdraw the strike
order.
Mr. Wilson then came forward with
sill another proposal for settlement
on which both sides Immediately went
70 work This provided for a straight
increase Of 10 cents a ton for pick
mining, with an increase in the same
ratio for machines and other classes of
labor. The proposal provided also that
there should be an eight-hour day,
from bank to bank" and hulf-holi-
day on Saturday, the agreement 10 be
effective Nov. /, and to continue until
March 81, 1922.
Miners said that Mr.. Wilson's new
proposal would not be- satisfactory,
saying that they had been Informed
that the operators had been willing to
grant an increase greater than /, per
cent rate in the secretarys proposal.
Both sides rejected the new wage
proposal Mr.. Wilson then pleaded with
leaders not 10 break up, but to return
at o'clock stating that meanwhile he
would get in touch with the White
House. The meeting was held together
while the two groups discussed sep.
Grat ! what course tn s. would tIe
Coming out OF the meeting, John /.
Lewis. president of the United Mine
Workers OF America, said The out
look is less hopeful than last night. We
are returning to hear what the presi-
dent and the secretary might say, but
there seems little chance OF reaching
an agreement"
The miners and operators still oc-
cupy the same position as last night,
Secretary Wilson said. " made "A sug
gestion as new basis Of settlement
which was rejected, the operators ~.
fusing to accept, and the miners saying
that while 1t was not satisfactory they
were willing to consider it,
Secretary Wilson outlined the terms
cf his proposition as follows.
THAT the pick mining price be ad-
yancsd 10 cents per ton.
THAT machine mining, yardage
deadwcight and day wages be advanced
in the same ratio.
That the day work shall be eight
hours from bank 10 bank.
THAT there shall be a saturday half
holiday.
THAT with these changes the exist
ing agreement continues into effect
Until March 81, 1922.
That while the legal termination
Of the war will not take place until
some unknown time in the future, when
the increase in the cost Of living is an
eNlStIUS IdClt therefore lISSt 'hd'5'H
will 60 into effect as Of Nov. l, 1918
Secretary Wilson Worried
Secretary Wilson refused to express
an opinion as to the hope Of averting
the strike through mediation. He was
plainly worried and hurried away to
consult other officials before proceed
ing to the White House Some mem
bers Of the miners group said the
"blow.up' had about come, and that
they expected to start for home TO-
night.
After nearly an hours conference
with MIR. Tumulty, Secretary Wilson
left the White House. He said h had
no statement to make and declined TO
unswer questions as to whether Mr.
Tumulty was to lay the situation be
fore the president.
Thomas l.. Chadbourne and Bernard
NJ. Baruch, who had been taking an
active part in the industrial conference
talked witch Secretary Wilson previous
to his White House visit and found
that ne had exhausted every possible
effort, apparently, to bring the two
sides together,
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