The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-07-10

UfENHlONO AMI
MINERS EXPECTED
TO RESPOND ND
CONTINUED from gage one)
expired last March 81. and mines
now idle because Of the strike Or
suspended operation to resume ac-
tiyities, without interference with
activities Of mines now WORKING
THE 1922 scale to be effective
until August 10, 1922. A coal conf
mission. to be appointed at once.
consisting Of three mine workers.
three members appointed by the
mine operators and five members
to be named by the President All
decisions made by this com m1s-
sion shall be considered final
Basic Wage Proposed
This commission to determine,
if possible, within thirty days from
today, for the miners on strike, a
temporary basic wage scale, which
scale shall be effective until March
1 1928 In event that the COM
mission is unable to report its
scale by August 10 it shall have
power to direct continued work on
1929 scale until supers eding scale
is ready.
N Sweepinq Investigation Planned
THE commission shall investl-
gate exhaustively every phase Of
the coal industry It shall reveal
every cost Of production and trans
portation. The President will ask
Congress to confer authority for
the most thorough investigation
and make appropriations neces-
sary to do such work. The commits
sion shall make Recommendation
leading to the maintenance OF the
Industrial peace of the coal in
dustry, the elimination Of waste
due to intermittency and stability,
and suggest plans for dependable
fuel supply.
IT have this short cut to re
sumption OF operati lions because
believe it to be in the interest OF
public welfare. 1t is that simple
form of adjusting disputes wh1ch
answers the call Of good CON
science and just civilization: J
wish you to appraise the situation
weigh your responsibilities and
then answer this proposal as YOU
wish to be appraised by American
public opinion 1 am speaking
first Of all for the public interest
but am likewise mindful Of the
rights Of both workers and opera
tors. You are also an inseparable
part OF that public interest. With
due regard for all concerned II
ought 20 be easy to find way to
resume activities and command
the approval Of the American pup
lie
Secretaries LAWS and Hoover
were supposed to have taken the
Presidents proposal into the meet
ing Of coal operators and mlnerS
when it re-assembled and that in
the main the government had sug-
gested arbitration on national
basis to settle the strike.
Pursglove Leaves Conference
shortly after the deliberation got
under way, Joseph Pursgloye, who
represents an Ohio coal DISTRICT IN
the eastern section, where wiling
ness to contract with the union
has been shown, left the assem- bly,
He refused to comment on the mat
ter, as did his, associates. Inc ONO
group, to which Mr.. Purseglove4 IS
attached had evidenced disagree
ment with the balance OF operators
several times during and before
the conference.
The conference adjourned Its ses-
sfons to go directly to Presld ent
Harding at the White House,
District Plan Not Approved.
Secretary Davis on behalf Of the
goyernmen it was learned, read
to the joint conference before Its
adjournment a proposal that com
mittee Of six operators and six min
ers he appointed to outline districts
in the bituminous coal area IN
which negotiations could be set UP
between the United Mine Workers
and operators, the government as.
suming esponsibility for the diff,
ferences which could not DO ne.
gotiated. It was evident that both
sides had found the proposition
inacceptab BILE.
Operators See Harding First
Secretaries Hoover, Davis and
Fall conferred with the President
while the arrival Of the anthracite
representatives was awaited.
Upon the arrival of the anthra-
cite operators the group went into
| the. Presidents office
President Harding's proposals
| were put before the operators and
min ers' union officials in the form
Of a letter and both sides in the
bituminous industry left the
White House to consider them al
| separate meetings. The anthra-
cite operators and miners remain
ed, however
IElMPIsF AWARDED