Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-23
PRESIDENT WARNS
ANTHRACITE MEN
| AGAINST WALKOUT
mpresses on Operators
and Owners Gravity of
Economic Situation.
AVS MUST BE NO STRIKE
IN THIS CRITICAL PERIOD
eclares He Will Appoint
Federal Commission If Pres
ent Conference Fails.
ENIINDS OF LOSSES OF WAR
,crctary OF Labor Confident There
VIII BE No Cessation OF
Work.
ENrINDs OF LOSSES OF WAL
|,crctary OF Labor Confident There
VIII BE No Cessation OF
Work.
my Associated preau. !

10y NpSochtcd Prc95
WASHINGTON. May 22.-Anthra-
20 operators and miners were warn
today by President Wilson that
ere must be no strike In the anth,
cite coal fields during this criti-
period in tho REIMBURSEMENT OF
o country.
Writing to tho members OF the
mt scale committees, which has been
nductinG negotiations for two
onths. tho President said that /.
ey should be unable TO reach an
reencnt. he would insist that the
cstions In dispute be submitted to
determination OF commission
DO appointed by him. and that
ork be continued In the mines.
nding the decision. lie added that
award TO be made would be re-
piration OF tho old agreement be-
cen tho operators and miners. The
esidcnt sa!d he would hold him
In readiness TO appoint a COM
ssion similarly constituted to the
Q which l recently appointed In
anecton with tho bituminous min
Industry as soon as l learn that
tn sides have s!gn!flcd their WILL
Sness to continue at work and
lde by Its decisions
Confident OF Agreement.
making public the Presidents
ter. Secretary Wilson. who has
en- In conference with 2le wage
lie committee at tho Department
Labor for the past three weeks,
d no was confident that when the
nmittee reconvencd Thursday 4.
Ill either reach a mutual agree
Mt or the question In dispute will
submitted to Commission as sug-
ited By tho President"
There will be no strike In the
hracitc coal field" said he.
'he secretary added that represen-
ives OF the miners would present
Presidents letter TO their con-
tion at W!ikes-Barrc. Pa. Mon
'he Presidents letter follows: II
20 watched with more than pass
interest your efforts TO negotiate
Jew wage scale for the anthracite
i fields. The arrangement to con-
ue work at the mines after April
pending the adoption OF new
ceement which you entered into
en- the previous wage scale was
'ut TO expire. was highly com
ndable and filled us all with hone
new contract would be mu-
lily worked out and the supply OF
hracite coal continued without in
ruption. 1 sincerely trust that the
10 Will be fully realized
Reminds Men or Situation.
have. however. been advised
t there is possibility you may
come to an agreement. am sure
. eed not remind you that we have
yet recovered from the economic
t,es incident to the war. We need
fullest productivity of our peo-
to restore and maintain their own
ndards and TO sustain In the re-
ilitation. The strike at this time
great basic Industry like anthra-
coal would be very disturbing
8.
have one take place now. while
are actively engaged In the prob
S OF reconstruction. would be q
ouS disaster.
Anthracite for Domestic Use.
- anthracite coal Is used principally
domestic consumption. Any short
in the supply would affect a null
de OF homes that have been spe-
ly equipped for the use Of this
i Of fuel. 1t would have to be
plemented by the us0 OF substi-
- such as bituminous coal or oil.
,rting these commodities from
deportation and manufacturing
lstries which they now supply.
ig moro cars because of the
ger hauls. and thereby reducing
efficiency of our transportation
ems that are already burdencd
ond their capacity. Such a condi-
must not occur. If there is any
OF averting it.
aendy to Appoint Commission.
- am not familiar with the tech
81 pAobAShiS ohcCtlHb tho making
your wage scale. You arc. You
aid, therefore, be able to effect
agreement If for any reason
are unable to do so, / shall in
that the matters in dispute be
nitted to the determination OF a
mission to be appointed by me,
award of the commission to be
oactive to the first of April. in
'rdance with tho agreement you
a, already entered into, and that
K be continued at the mines pend
the decision Of the commission.
iall hold myself In readiness to
>fnt commission similarly con-
tied to tho one which 1 recently
,inted In connection with the
minous coal-mining industry ns
as learn that both sides have
taed their willingness to continue
'ork and abide by its decisions.