The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-07-01
HARDING ASKS
SETTLEMENT OF
COAL STRIKE
Addresses Operators and Min.
ers' Representatives,
Asking Harmony
FREE U. S. OF STRIKES"
President Says American Pub.
lie Has Right to Demand
That They Cease
FREE U. S. OF STRIKES
(By the Associated Press)


Washington, July with all
participants pledged to maintain
silence durng the interim the con-
ference Of coal operators and miners
summoned today by President Hard
ing took two hour adjournment
shortly after noon.
John L. Lewis, president of the
United Mine Workers, had made a
lengthy address during the session
and Secretary Hover had intervenql
in the deliberations. Mr.. Lewis de-
mand was. understood to be for re-
construction of the joint wage con-
ference between miners union officers
and coal operators in the central
field. Chairman Ogle made some re-
marks but the attitude of the opera
tors had not been stated fully before
the temporary adjournment
The president in addressing the
gathering which included about thlr-
ty, operators, the same number ap-
proximately of United Mine Workers
officials and district presidents and
Secretaries Hoover, Davis and Fall
declared the present was no time Tor
the militant note of the radical
and reminded tn conference that
federation, fairness, the spirit of
give and~take and finally sense OF
the larger obligations to the public
are essential to successful confer
ence."
Coupled with his appeal and ad-
monition the president uttered what
was regarded as warning when he
said that if the operators and miners
could not '"settle this mater in a
frank recognition of the mutuality of
YOUR interests : then the larger
public interest must be asserted in
the name Of the people where the
common good is the first and highest
concern" H.
President Harding in convening
the conference \ Of bituminous and
anthracite coal operators and United
Mine Workers officials at the white
house today to devise means Of ne
gotiating a settlement of the nation
wide coal strike advised both parties
to arrive with measurable prompt
ness at an understanding "for your
mutual good and the country's COM
mon good"
Miners and operators numbering
about fifty and representing both the
bituminous and anthracite coal fields
in which work has been suspended
since April 1 met at the white house
today with President Harding in an
endeavor instituted by the govern
ment to find a basis for negotiating
a settlement of differences.
There were no signs Of weakening
in the opposing contentious of coal
miners and coal operators as they
gathered at the white house. The
operators in informal discussion ap-
peared a unit in declaring that no
continuation Of central competitive
field wage agreements, which consti-
tutes the semi-national contract
would be allowed, while John L.
Lewis, president Of the United Mine
Workers and his district presidents
indicated themselves inclined to in
sist on this.
Harding Opens Conference
President Harding opened the
conference in executive session with
an address to the two parties, speak
ing only about ten minutes. The
conference then was adjourned at
meeting room in the interior depart
ment and there continued in exccu-
tive session. A. NJ. Ogle, president
of the National Coal Association,
which is representative of the BIZ
luminous operators was elected
chairman, and William Green, gen.
eral OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of the Unit
ed Mine Workers, was elected secre-
tary. Secretaries Hoover and Davis
accompanied the party to the inter-
ior department meeting.
"You are admonished to arrive at
such understanding with measurable
promptness among yourselves" the
president declared. "If the adjust
ment cannot be reached by you at
once government aid will be avail
able at your joint call. We wish
you who best know the way to solu-
ton to reach it among yourselves in
a manner to command the sanction
Of American public opinion. Fail
ing in that, the servants of the
American people will be called to
the task in the name of the Amer
(COntinued IN Page 81