The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-01-15
DELAY
WORK Of BOARD
Ask Wilson Probe Board to An
SWer Ten Questions.
COAL MINERS ACCEPT TERMS
Lewis Tells Presidents Commission
Workers Will Accept Unreservedly
Any Decision Made by Body
in Settlement of Strike

Washington, Jan l3.-BtWminous
coal miners will accept mrescryedly
any decision made by the presidents
coal commission in settlement of the
coal strike, John X. Lewis, acting pres
ident of the United Mine Workers Of
America, declared ut the opening of
the first public hearings of the com
mission.
Mr.. Lewis added that the miners
representatives would assist the com
missions inquiry. This assurance by
Mr.. Lewis was given in answer to
question by Chairman Henry n Rob
inSon.
Operators Delay Similar Pledge
Thomas 7. Brewster, chairman Of
the scale committee of the operators
IN the central competitive field reply
Ing to the same question 10y the chair
man, said he could make no promise
for the operators until the commission
had given answers to ten questions
propounded by the operators.
Chairman Robinson said the com
mission would take up the questions
and furnish statement to the oper-
ators.
Among the operators questions were
whether the commissions award
would he 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 It would consider 1t had pow
er to make retroactive awards con
corning wages and prices, and whether
In fixing prices to sustain its deci-
sIOns II would consider that the prices
so made would not hold after the ex-
piraton of the Lever food and fuel
act.
Brewster Does Not Reply.
Mr. Brewster said the questions
were submitted ito clarity the situa-
ton"
"If the answers by the commission
were not satisfactory, the operators
might some of them be unwilling to
abide by the findings finally nader
asked the chairman.
We'll stand by the decision on any
point we submit to arbitration" Mr..
Brewster returned.
81 understand then that you viii
only accept this decision so far as II
touches matters you submit?' con
tinued the chairman.
81 shouldn't like to answer that
without a conference with some Of my
associates here" Mr. Brewster said.
Assumes" Committee Is Fair.
Isn't it wise to accept President
Wilson's letter of instruction to the
committee MS outlining its powers full
~ and assume that its members will
do as good piece of work as they
CAM asked Mr.. Robinson.
ave assume that" Brewster replied.
''Then wen take the whole list Of
questions under advisement and make
statement later Mr. Robinson said.
Operators asked for the adjourn
ment of the commission 50 they might
confer this afternoon.
Regulates Special Pleading.
In opening the commissions session
Chairman Robinson suld 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 us, Mr. White, although a
miner, and Mr., PeuIe, although a mine
operator, and myself rs a representa-
tive of the general public, shall work
equally for the interests Of the public,
miners and operators as best we see
them"
Herbert n. Shenten has been named
executive secretary Of the commission
and Samuel l.. Taylor dean Of the
Pittsburgh school Of mining has been
named technical adviser.