Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-07-18
TELLS OWNERS TO
RETURN 70 FIELDS
AND RESUME WORK
Bituminous Operators Ten
der Properties and Ser.
vices to Government.
TROOP PROTECTION
CONSIDERED POSSIBLE
Employers Believe Produc-
ton Will Result a, the
Union Mines.
STATEMENT nv THE PRESIDENT
Says Coal Is a National Necessity
and Ample supply In
TROOP PROTECTION
CONSIDERED POSSIBLE
STATEMENT ny THE PRESIDENT
Says Coal Is National Necessity
and Ample supply Is
Essential.
IBv Associated Press |

by Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, July l7.-Bitumin.
Gus coal mine operators were lin
vited" by President Harding at the
White House today "to return To
your mine properties and resume
operations" after they had replied
to the Presidents tender OF arbitra-
tion for settling the national coal
strike with a collective OFFER to put
their properties and their services AT
the disposal OF the government "in
this crisis" Speaking as chairman
of the group OF operators after the
White House conference. Alfred NJ
OEle said the employers would MAKE
the attempt TO resume operations.
Meanwhile, the miners union
through an adjournment sine die OF
its controlling policy committee,
made certain Its refusal TO accept
the arbitration proposal. and many
Jf its officials Immediately left Wash
inEton. The btuminous operators
were likewise not unit in accept
ing the government arbitration pro-
posals. but the President said that
"a large majority" OF them. by un-
qualified acceptance had given him
occasion to express my own and
the pupiicS gratitude.
Troop Protection Likely.
There were intimations In Official
circles that all the implications OF
the decision to ask that the mines
be opened had been fully considered
by the government, and that there
was possibility that the protection
OF troops and the American flag
would he Furnished In districts
where men were whiting to work
failing sufficient FOCAL safeguarding.
Employers generally held the view
that some coal production would re-
suit in union fields in Pennsylvania
and Ohio. II nowhere else. even
though executives OF tho nonun,on
mines south OF the Ohio River re-
ported today that output was being
cut OF rapidly through lack Of
transportation due to the railroad
strike.
A day and night OF almost cor
tinuous sessions did not suffice IN
make the bituminous employers
unit for acceptance OF tne detailed
arbitration proposals OF the govern
ment. even though snttruofte opera,
tors last week had Eroan quick nc.
ceptance. On a final uoSa a general
letter. accepting the princ4pte OF ar
bitration and makihr tho tender o<
mines and services. was agreed upor
and presented to the Prssident.
Operators Visff wHito House.
delegation consSsting of ntteen
operators took the moss asre TO the
White House. and After xheir visit
statement explaining the sense-
dure was given oct. es cen 40 the
text OF the Presfd set'a rssupoisss
In the district soStoYss referred 20,
the delegates OF eupfovefr FROM 1fre
associations In Illinois. tho Spntt
west all territory sspeeesnteh psss
OF the Mississippa and thu P4sse-
burgh vein operators eftd ofhsx as
sociations OF Ohio. So&sd FOR an ur-
qualified acceptance Of tbs Pre.i-
dents arbitration plan
Indiana State associations stood
out against the plan; Pittsburgh Pro-
ducers Association. In Pennsylvania
and the associations In Central Penn
'ylvanta operating unioniIed mines
with some support from Ohio dis
tricts. presented memorials which
were reflections OF the President.
plan.
Payment OF the wage scale exist
ing April last and the continuance
ing union dues while arbitration was
IN progress. were points raised BY
the minority. One or two operators
in Central Pennsylvaria Withdrew
from their association because ~
their insistence that arbitration
should be accepted unqualihedly
All minor spokesmen offered to ac-
copt arbitration on a district basis.
President Harding saw Chairman
OEie and william Field. the latter
representing the Pittsburgh a.6ocia-
tion, prior to the nnal decision, and
Secretaries Mellon and Hoover at
tended the conference. The opera
tors met again after the nnal White
House interview, to discuss their tu-
ture course.
Secretary Weeks won: to the Sen.
ate late In the day, while the oper-
ators were still In session and dis
cussed with Senator'S from coat
States the situation. and the ponaibls
steps which Nigh. be taken by N.
government IN the emergency
white House Statement.
The White House statement which
preceded n transcript OF the Presi-
dents remarks TO the operators fol
lows:
AT ,'oloc. mi. afternoon IN.
Continued on Page Col. ~