Rock Island Argus., 1920-01-12
miners WILL
SUPPORT ANY
AWARD 0MADE
Commission Left in Doubt
However, as to the
Operators.

Washington, Jan. 12.-Bituminou
coal miners will accept unreserved-
ly any decision made by the presi-
dents coal commission in settle
ment OF the coal strike, John L.
Lewis, acting president Of the Unit
ed Mine Workers of America, de-
clared at the opening today, of the
first public hearings of the COM
mission. Mr.. Lewis added that the
miners representatives would as
sist the commissions inquiry.
Mr.. Lewis assurance was given
in answer to a question by Chair
man Henry E. Robinson.
Operators Not Promising.
Thomas T. Brewster, chairman Of
the scale committee of the opera
tors in the central competitive field,
replying to the same question by
the chairman said he could make no
promises for the operators until
the commission had given answers
to 10 questions propounded by the
operators.
s<Chairman Robinson said the
commission would take up the
questions and furnish a statement
to the operators. The commission
then adjourned until tomorrow.
Operators asked for the adjourn
ment of the commission so they
high confer this afternoon.
No Special Pleaders.
In opening the commissions ses-
sion Chairman Robinson said that
while members Of the commission
had been chosen from certain
groups, they were not expected to
be special pleaders for the groups
they represented.
ut is expected" he said, "that
all three Of them, Mr.. White, al
though a miner, and Mr.. Peale, al
though q mine operShor, and my
self as representative Of the gen.
eral public. shall work equally for
the interests Of the public, miners
and operators as best We see
them"
Herbert N. Shenton has been
named executive secretary Of the
commission and Samuel l.. Taylor,
dean of the Pittsburgh school OF
mining, has been named technical
adviser.
Ask II This Is Final.
Among the operators questions
were whether the commission s
award would be final and binding
on both miners and operators
whether the commission would act
upon matters brought up by either
side; as to its authority to fix
wages up or down; whether Ii
would consider it had power to
make retroactive awards concern
ing wages and prices, and whether
in fixing prices to sustain its deci-
sions it would consider that the
prices so made would not hold
after the expiration Of the Lever
food and fuel act.
WI. DIcWStCE bdlu Tic quCotAO-is
were submitted ito clarity the sit
uation."
IF the answers by the commits
sion were not satisfactory. the
operators might, some OF them. be
unwilling to abide by the finding
finally nader" asked the chairman.
We'll stand by the decision on
any point. We submit to arbitra-
tion," Mr.. Brewster returned.
Implies Reservations.
Il understand then that you will
only accept this decision so far as
1t touches matters you submit?''
continued the chairman.
Il shouldn't like to answer that
without a conference with some Of
my associates here" Mr.. Brewster
said.
isn't it wise to accept President
Wilson's letter of instruction to the
commission as outlining its powers
fully and assume that its members
will do as good a piece Of work as
they CAM" asked Mr.. Robinson.
I'VE assume that" Brewster re-
piled.
Then we'll take the whole list OF
questions under advisement and
make statement later" Mr.. Rob-
fucCu uaid