The New York herald., 1921-04-15
NINE OWNERS INVITE
ANOTHER CONFERENCE
Hodges Indicates Willingness
to Rcnew Discussion.
Bv az AssoeLated 49,.

~ INC ASS0clufeu Press.
LONDON, April 15.-Evan Williams,
president of the Mining Association,
announced at late hour tonight that
the mine owners would extend another
invitation TO the representatives OF the
miners to deliberate both nationally and
tn the various districts. with the object
OF ascertaining what was feasible TO
improve the lot Of the lower paid
miners. The owners than again visited
Downing Street in response to a sum-
mons from the Prime Minister.
New hopes Of a resumption OF the ne
gotiations. therefore. have arisen
through this offer OF the mine owners
% meet the miners leaders around a
new conference table and also the offer
made by Mr.. Hodges in his speech to-
night TO a meeting Of the members OF
Parliament In this the secretary OF
the miners union said among other
things:
I'VE are prepared TO consider the
question Of wages provided they are not
regardable as permanently on a district
basis, but only OF temporary char
acter'
Mr. Hodges had friendly reception,
according to the Press Association. The
large committee room Of the House was
filled with unionists, coalitionists and
viewed the situation. and on some points
gained the sympathy of his audience
Regarding his offer, the Press Asso-
citation says that 1t is not without prom
ise of a peaceful agreement and Will
be conveyed to the Premier.
The whole labor movement is align
ing itself solidly with the miners against
the Government. The workers seem to
believe that the hour has struck for
u final struggle against what they.
rightly or wrongly. suspect TO be an or
ganized plan on the part of the en-
pioyers to force down wages.
After the failure of the morning con-
ference some hope remained that medi-
alton might be the outcome Of the Par
liamentary conference, made up OF the
Parliamentary committee of the Trade
Union Congress. the national executive
cf the labor party and the Parliamen-
tarv Labor Party.
This important conference, however,
after pronouncing itself uncompromis-
insly on the side of the miners and the
Triple Alliance and against the Govern
ment, gave no sign of initiating new
negotiations or mediation.
The resolution adopted by This body
Is not a definite pledge to strike action.
this being matter for individual unions.
but the appointment of a committee to
act with the Triple Alliance is consid-
erred more important move than has
happened in any previous industrial
crisis.
Nnother aspect differentiating this
efon previous struggles is the universal
response Of labor to the miners call.
taT azln'g, ia s. pr has
tte union De the 4o~pr1ttt acted
wslt tae NaEona Urior ot fau ymen.
ier 1lway services in tar mt OF
flfg. n41y Pc fepl@Cn1 gy .9'u -eers.
0t y Will pe elAicnf ro 10 r9i tent
The decision Of the Federation of Cen
eral Workers to support the Triple AL
lance is also highly important The
resolution adopted by this organization
does not mean that the unions con-
cerned. representing 100000 workers,
VII strike, but means that it Is their
intention to consult with the Triple Al
lance in all steps and give It general
support. The Federation's resolution
pledged support TO the Triple Alliance
I'm its effort to resist wholesale reduc-
tons in wages and to maintain national
standards Of wages and conditions OF
sbor"
Secretary Hodges or the Miners Union.
in a letter TO the London Times says
that the miners ARE prepared TO make
substantial contributions to the industry
in the direction OF wiping out the pres
ent deficit BY agreeing to uniform re
cuction Of wages throughout the coun-
try"
The letter IS devoted largely TO en-
DhasiZing the need of national pool
and IN supporting the miners opposition
10 district settlements. 1t charges that
the Government action is responsible for
the crisis and asserts there Is a lockout
of the members of the federation.
The economic capacity of districts
varies 80 enormously one from the
other" says Mr. Hodges, "that the pro-
posals Of the owners on a district basis
could not have resulted in anything but
the vide variation they proposed In
wages"
Mr.. Hodges says the owners and
worSmcn need no external government
help to put into effect the principles
governing the national wages move
ments which he has advocated. Our
lining the federations scheme for Z
national pool. he says:
1T Is true II cannot be applied a,
once owing TO abnormal conditions o,
trade in this country. and some finan
cial assistance Is necessary"
He declares the miners willingness
10 help by reduction OF wages. III
Expresses a desire for freedom from tn
bureaucratic influences" of Government
control. and ends;
Whatever sacrifices there may be I
he owners, whatever political view tn
government may take. is ii not abun
antly clear that il is better for tn,
ttion that our men start work agaii
"a this new spirit in production an,
n this machinery animated by IL
her than they should be forced bacl
work with the old machinery and Ia
u Of sullenncss. anger, enmity an,