Imperial Valley press., 1922-07-01
,l|NERs MEET
OPERATORS
TODAY
Public Interest Must Be
Protected, President
Declares
DIG COAL, TALK LATER
Permanent Solution Neces-
sary to Prevent Further
Annual Strife
DIG COAL, TALK LATER
United Press Leased Wire

WASHINGTON, July President
Harding today called upon the striking
miners and the coal operators of the
country to resume mining operations at
once and then adjust their differences
in joint conferences.
Speaking before about SO chieftains
of the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea and leading coal operators at the
White House, the president issued an
emphatic warning to the warning fac
tions that unless the strike is soon
terminated the federal government, in
public interest, will exert all its vast
powers to force an ending of the
walkout.
Fifty leading coal operators and un-
ion leaders assembled at the White
to be told by the president that the
government expects them to put their
feet under table, settle their differ
ences and start the coal mines hum
ming again. The coal strike is now u
its thirteenth week.
Strike Menace Must End
The president, after referring to the
menace the country faces because OF
dwindling coal supplies, informed both
operators and miners that the interests
Of the people must be protected and
that the government proposes to take
steps toward that end unless the strike
is ended through joint conferences.
Harding also declared that perman-
ent solution of the frequent strikes in
the industry must be found. He made
fervid appeal that operations be re-
sumed pending adjustment of the dis
quite.
While at the White House the oper-
ators and miners were assured by Pres
ident Harding that during the confer
ences here they will be immune from
prosecution under the antitrust laws.
Attorney General Daugherty was pres
ent.
Presidents Statement
The president said
IL asked you to meet this morning
with the thought that in bringing you
Together ! might be serving both the
mine kyorkers aud the mine operators
of then ypIed States and at the same
time SCI .e the great American public
to which both you and | are obligated.
/ hold no specific authority under
which to adhonish you, but l do have
the right to invite your immediate at
concerns the country, the solution of
which YOU collectively owe to the
American public.
.'It is not for me TO touch upon by
merits of your opposing positions. L
have not called you as partisan of
the mine worker or the employer. / do
not mean even to discuss single phase
Of controveried question. The main
point is to bring you together, and in
that contact of man to man, mindful
of the necessity of righteousness in any
useful and abiding relationship, to have
you frankly and fairly consider your
problems in their relation to the wei.
fare of our common country.
Freedom from Panic imperative
Excess development of producing
capacity, in both tonnage available and
miners to work it, has presented one
situation demanding solution, or there
will be inevitable loss of property and
train of unproftable employment.
War upheaval and all attending infla-
tions and excess production have left
an inevitable and unavoidable liquida.
ton. Intermittence in employment has
made it impossible for mine workers
who are only employed partial time, to
pursue their trade at wage rates ad-
justed to other employments.
"No industry is soundly based, no
American activity can be held secure
where employment is compensated on
base of half time or two thirds OF the
normal, natural work period OF an
American wage Garner.