Evening star., 1922-07-13

addressed by the anthracite operators
to the President:
"On behalf of the anthracite oper-
ators. we beg to make the following
reply tc the proposal of arbitration
which you submitted to us on July 10.
I'VE are deeply appreciative of your
efforts to end the present suspension
of anthracite production. and desire
to cooperate with you to the 1ullest
extent in this endeavor.
"After continued conferences with
the representatives OF the mine work.
ers from March Is to June 2. 1t ap-
peared that no agreement sattsfacto-
~ to both sides could be reached.
The operators then proposed that
the President of the United states be
requested to appoint commission or
tribunal to ascertain and consider all
the facts and determine the question
concerning wages and conditions OF
employment at issue between u.s. salu
commission or tribunal to find a prac-
tical method by which prompt oper,
alton of the mines may be resumed
pending its ultimate decision, ana
also to seek and recommend metnou
by which future suspensions OF
strikes may be, so far as possible
avoided
Committed TO
"The anthracite operators further
agreed that all such matters as tne
President might determine were per-
rinent to the questions in controversy
. concerning wages and conditions OF
employment should be considered by
the commi sson or tribunal so 10 pe
appointed. and agreed to abide by
and faithfully to carry out lts de-
cision or award.
We are, therefore. committed 10
arbitrat ton. and are entirely IN SYM
pathy with the principle OF the meth-
cd of settlement which you nave pro-
posed.
I'VE believe. however, that certain
amplifiC alton of your pronosal are
desirable to the end that the settle
ment shall be speedily reached. snail
he permanent in character. and shali
be binding upon both SIDES OF the
controversy.
"Throughout the fruitless negotia-
lions which have been held with mine
workers the anthracite operators
have had two primary objects IN
view.
Want Lasting Peace.
First an agreement on a wage scale
which. while adequate. should at the
same time afford the steady employment
which the anthracite mine workers have
enjoyed in the past and which only reg
u'ar demand for the product can assure
II has been the firm conviction OF the
anthracite operators that this is econom-
ically possible only by such adjustment
of these wages as would reduce the cost
of producing anthracite, in line with ad-
justments which have taken place with
respect to other commodities.
Second. that any agreement reached
should be durable and at the same time
provide reasonable means of wage ad-
justment from time to time to meet the
changing economic conditions OF the
country. The object sought was the pre-.
vention of the periodical disturbance or
the public and of industry generally by
the recurring interruptions to production.
We feel confident of your desire to
further these objects in manner fair
to all concerned.
In order that this may be accom-
p.ished We respectfully make the fol-
lowing suggestions:
First Because of the wide differ
ence in the problems that confront
the anthracite and the bituminous in
dustries, it is practically impossible
for one commission to study and de-
eide the questions in controversy
within a reasonable period of time.
of necessity, they must be studied
separately if the prompt adjudication
that all interests desire is to be OBJ
tanned.
Seek Separate Consideration.
The anthracite business has no
problem of overdeyelopment and
Acknowledgement. 1t is already
stabilized and has maintained full
time employment of the mine work
ers Its mining conditions are en-
tirely different from those in the
Eituminous field. and it is manufac-
turing as well as mining industry.
It's product is mainly domestic. not
a manufacturing. fuel.
1t has been consistently held not
only by the operators, but also by
the mine workers, that the anthracite
industry with respect to agreements
affecting wages and working con-
ditions is and should be absolutely
autonomous.
Because of these conditions we feel
that il is necessary for separate
commission to be designated by your
self to consider our problems. and we
take the liberty of suggesting that
such commission should be, so far as
possible, non-partisan. not more than
enc member representing the opera
tors and one the miners, and not less
than three to be appointed by your
self as representative of the public.
Second. The anthracite operators
cannot escape the conviction that the
establishment of the scale Of
wages in effect from April 1, 1920. to
March 81. 1922, even as temporary
cxredient, will embarrass rather than
assist the efforts to restore normal
conditions.
Agree to Return of Men.
The demand from the public for
decreased prices of anthracite is i'm