Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-02
Strike, Not Lockout, Operators Ve1v

nothing to fear from the dominance OF
the bituminous workers.
"All this is now changed, according
TO Mr: Lewis. The pledges Of our men
are thrown to the Winds" was the
comment.
The anthracite situation present.
nothing In common with the bituminous.
we have no problems Of non -employ
ment, or short working periods, and il
has been our object to keep It 60.
In spite, however, of our continu
GUS efforts to negotiate and by offers of
arbitration, not only by the operators
but by President Harding, the mine
workers leaders have agreed to no basis
OF settlement except with such restric-
tions as the complete recognition OF
their union, a revision Of wages only
upward and other matters as would pre-
clude any settlement Of the controversy
whatever.
Now, in addition, we are Informed
that no settlement is possible until the
bituminous Issue Is adjusted. In view
ofvall this we feel that we are innocent
OF all responsibility for the present con-
dition. We are absolutely helpless to
remedy the matter.
81 desire to emphasize this fact"
Mr.. Warrimer continued. that this
suspension, il continued, will create an
undoubted shortage of coal this winter
with the most deplorable results. I be-
ieve that an aroused public sentiment
should demand q prompt settlement by
ialr arbitration, unrestricted in its ma =
ture and scope and binding on both
miners and operators, so that our mines
may resume work with the least delay. "
AS to the question Of wages, aside
from - y Al
miners, what Is your positionT" in
quired.
1--WE. cannot help but feel that the
miners have purposely enlarged upon the
question of operators profits, transpor-
tation, royalties and other matters to
avoid a discussion Of the real issue. "
The Real Issue
"And what is the real issue from the
operators viewpoint" I asked.
This: VIII the public continue to
pay for q worker in commodity like
coal miner, whose wage is above the
wartime peak, while millions of other
workers, most Of whom are obliged to
buy coal, have been and are compelled
to accept reductions by the law of
economies and when the cost Of living
to the miners themselves has been ma
terially reduced and they have not suf-
fered from non employment" replied
Mr.. Warmer with earnestness.
Even railroad workers have been
obliged 10 accept two reductions which
the coal miners are seeking to retain.
The anthracite operators have never
offered to the miners wages that did
not fully maintain the purchasing power
set by the Wilson Commission when the
cost of living was at its peak and wages
that are far in excess of those paid in
virtually every other industry.
"Anthracite operators cannot be
charged with seeking to degrade the
mine workers. Instead they desire to
pay a wage that will make mine work.
ing attractive,' said Mr.. Warriner.
There IS another matter involved y
| suggested. 1T is that Of the an
thracite industry as an industry essen
tial to the very life Of the people,"
There is another side to that"
countered the operators chairman. 1--WE
take the position that anthracite is not
reasons: 1t Is in competition with all
other forms of coal, and If full time
employment is to be offered anthracite
miners It must be at rate ut which
coal can be produced at cost which
will enable 1t to be freely sold.
"As a matter Of fact. smokeless btu
minous has largely cut into anthracite
sales in the New York market. The
City OF Philadelphia, for its schools.
has discontinued the use Of anthracite
domestic sizes and is contracting in
stead for domestic coke.
Gas produced from bituminous coal
Is being used in constantly increasing
quantities. There was time, after
the general Introduction of electricity,
when the gas supply business was seri-
ousy endangered. Science and inven-
ton, however, have stepped in, and
now public utility companies in gas
production are among the largest divi-
dend payers.
Can't Stand Wage Imitation
"All this is having its effect on the
industry, and an inflated
,,,,n knpiIo,