Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-12-13
COAL MINERS AGREE
TO PRESIDENTS PLAN
Miners Accept Wilson's Pro-
posaIs and Five Weeks
Strike Ends.

indianapolis, Ind-The coal miners
strike is ended. With only one dis
senting vote, the general committee
of the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea in session Wednesday voted to ac-
cept President Wilson's proposal for
immediate return to work pending
final settlement Of their wage contro-
versy with operators by commission
to be appointed by him
kilograms were sent out to the 1000
locals of the union by international Of
ficials of the miners instructing the
men to return to work Immediately.
Operators predicted full resumption
of operations and shipment of coal
from the mines beginning Monday
morning.
Miners, government officials alike
were highly gratified over the settle
ment Wednesday and all sides appear
ed confident of final satisfactory set
Element of the fight by the commits
sion.
The action Wednesday ends a tie-up
of the coal industry of more than five
weeks duration and which was more
! far-reaching in its effect than any
other in the history Of the country
AS a result of the strike the country
was fast approaching a shutdown Of
industry and widespread suffering
among its 10O,000,O00 inhabitants.
Two statements were given out fol-
lowing adjournment of the conference
by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palm
er, who first submitted the presidents
proposal to Acting President Lewis
and Secretary-Treasurer Green at a
conference in Washington last Satur-
day, and came to Indianapolis Monday
to await the outcome of consideration
of the plan by the miners general COM
mittee.
Mr.. Palmer's first statement ex-
pressed his qualification at the deci-
sion of the United Mine Workers, and
for their wise and patriotic action"
The statement follows:
"The coal strike is settled as the
government wanted it settled. When
Messrs. Lewis and Green came to see
me Saturday l restated what the gov
ernment's position had been from the
beginning and insisted upon their &C
quiescence. They finally agreed to it.
They have not persuaded the officers
of their organization that the situation
calls for compliance with the courts
order and the governments wishes,
and am certain that all the miners
in the country viii cheerfully agree
in the decision of their leaders. de-
sire to publicly commend the wise and
patriotic action of Mr.. Lewis, Mr.
Green and their associates. l am, of
course, gratified at the outcome, which
is one the entire country will approve
Mining will be fully resumed at once,
he danger of distress and suffering
during the winter is passed, the au-
thOrity of the government has been
recognized and upheld, the suprem-
acy of the law has been established
and a precedent of incalculable value
has been set for the peaceful, orderly
and lawful adjustment of Industrial
disputes"
The miners statement follows:
''The United Mine Workers repre-
sentatives agreed to accept the presi-
dents proposal as a basis of settle
ment of the coal strike. They did so
because it provides a definite, con
crete and practical method by which
adequate consideration and proper
adjustment of their claim for an in
crease in wages and improved condi-
tions of employment may be brought
bout The United Mine Workers
ave full confidence in the president
of the United States and profound
regard for his will and judgment"
A supplemental statement issued
Wednesday follows:
"The miners at their meeting this
afternoon accepted the presidents pro
posal exactly as written, and under
stand the operators committee has an
nOunced its acceptance of it. 1t pro
vides for the immediate general re-
sumption of operations in all districts
upon the basis which obtained on Oc-
tober. 81, 1919, except as to wages,
which are to be IA per cent higher
than at that date. This means that
the men shall be taken back to work
in all mines in the positions and upon
the terms of their contracts of en-
ployment then existing, and it is conf
IDENTIFY expected that the mine owners
win accede to the governments ear
nest request that the status quo of
October 81 be promptly re7established
in order that peaceful relations be-
tween employer and employee in all
parts of the mining fields may be inn
mediately resumed. l am asking the
governors of the coal mining states to
cooperate in the effort to bring this
about"