The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-03-13
INEENE'N ASKS
tcsailas-l tr''olu 6ae. onsi

n .. g.
rerentiats ana stiHed 81 nensuniohi
competition, cannot exist because
the economic trend u against thy
miners who seek to retain M
war WAGES, although some by
ess folks In Falrnont don't 800
the war is over, the general puhs
lie elsewhere is expecting cheaper
coal becausc In many instances
their weekly stipend has beet
shaded. Fairmont operators at
present have little chance OF conf
petaing with non.utiloh tlels be-
cause they have cut wages to the
bone aud naturally there Is too
much a variance in price levels.
Industrial CONSUMERS might not
bubble over small dlftefenes
hut these ase tho days OF keea
competition and tho almighty doll
lar sets the pace.
With the New River field claims
cd by operators to be lost TO tho
union and the Kanawha and Fair
mont fields in the balance the
situation In West Virginia, at best,
Is very uncertain. Operators an1
miners went into conference Ut
11:15 this morning behind closed
doors. Both sides have assumed
the sphinx-like disposition and
won't talk. 9
AT the Meeting
The operators are represented
by A. Llsle White, V. e. Cooke,
James NJ. Orr, j. II. Callahan
Claude j. Ryan, all OF Clatksburgl
Brooks Fleming. Frank r, Lyon
q. II. Tatleton, J.. w. DeyiaonI
Cletus II. Jenkins. John A.. CLARK.
Jr., Clarence u. Robinson, W.
Clark Do6bie. all Of Falrm6nti A
s. Brady. W. II. Green, ] WI
BischofF, and Everett Dfehheni
Elkins; D. NJ. Chaplin, Morgan
town; Benjamin Blssell Baltls
more. The miners are Represents
ed by c. Frank l[eeney, 0liatleAs.
ton; G. Fl. Bailey, Nick Aiell6 atldV
Robert Peters, all OF Fhlrtn6ht:
and j. r. Forinash, Grattoiis
There san impression that little
can be worried outat t6day's eohs
ference although 1t may pave tie
way TO something more dehhltb
later. But aghlh there is an6thet
opinion that not q thing can be
accomplished. The miners II isl
believed will insist upon the eheek
Off because they contend that II
has been held legal by the federal
court. It's grave yard talk when
Questions such as these are asked
oh either side. VIII the Operators
grant the chcek-off? VIII tile
miners accept d cut? Has 1Seehey
power 10 negotiate a CONTRACT
without the say so Of the inteftias
uonal policy committees!
Snap Leaders
Baltimore newspapers today
snapped President lteeney, AiellGl
and Forinash. They sought presl-
dent White Of tho operators also
but from last reports be- was play,-
ing hide and seek With the camera
MEN.
1t was learned that the United
States Department Of Labor las
nobody at the listening post toby.
Secretary Of Labor Davis has q tit
no wires. Tho miners contend
that they will never acduiesce t6la
separate district In northern West
Virginia. President KeeIey today
gaid that the miners 6f the New
River field would Join In d g6i-t
erRl suspension of one develops
April / and that they have mott
fed their president they Will go
out. n
Kanawha would also line ups
solid for a suspension, II oilS
materiallzes also he declared.
An immediate settlement Of the
question was imperative, A. Lisie
White. president OF the ohefat6fs1
association said, since 80 per cent
OF the coal now being fliihed ~
Northern West Virginia, ID sold on
contracts expiring March 81.
About $4,000 miners are employed
In the northern West Virginia field
which is not included III the central
competitive fell.
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Absence from church was a.
ct kakA Il, 1. 4. Xxi