Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-07-14
TO SETTLE COAL STRIKE
President Makes Public Outline of His
Plan.

In addressing his proposal to the
conference Of miners and operators at
the White House Monday, President
Harding said: .. -.,
Gentlemen: The information has
come TO me that your conference is
dCadlockcd, or at the best, attempting
TO agree OH plans which will require
extended time TO work out. / have
said heretofore that the government
prefers you who are parties to the dlS-
pute should settle it among yourselves
because you best understand all the
problems involved. The government
cannot settle it for you. II will force
no man to work against his free Will
it will force no man To employ men
against the free exercise of an en-
ployCr's rights. The government will
not be partisan, but the govcrnmentis
concerned with coal production sufA-
cicnt to meet the inductrial and trans,
portation requirements of the country
and to safeguard against fuel ianllnc
sired TO have production resuRcd at
once.
Your government does desircNto be
helpful. With such thought, there
fore, submit to you the following
proposal:
Mine workers are to return ta work
on the scale Of wages which expired
last March 81 and mines now idle be-
cause of strike or suspended operation
to resume activities without intcrfer-
cncc with activities of mines now
working. The 1922 scale to be effec-
tive until August 10, 1922.
"a coal commission to be created at
once consisting of three members
selected by the mine workers, three
members selected by the mfpe opera
tors and five members to be named by
the president. All decisions by this
commission shall be accepted as final
This commission to determine, If
possible, within thirty days from today
for the miners on strike, temporary
basic wage scale, which scale shall be
effective until March l, 1928. In event
that the commission is unable to re-
port its scale by August 10, it shall
have power to direct continued work
on 1922 scale, until superseding scale
is ready.
"Thc commission shall investigate
cxhaustivcly every phase of the coal
industry. It shall reveal every cost of
production and transportation. The
president Will ask congress TO confer
authority for the most thorough in
vestigation, and make appropriations
necessary to do such work. The conf
mission shall make recommendations
looking to the, establishment and'main-
tenancc of industrial peace in the coal
industry, the elimination of waste due
to intermittency and instability, and
suggest plans for dependable fuel
supply.
II have taken this short cut to 2
resumption of'operations because be-
lieve it to be- in the interest of the
public welfare! 1t is that simple form
of adjusting disputes which answers
the call Of good conscience and just
civilization. When two great forces
do not agree there must be a peaceful
way to adjustment and such an arbi-
tration opens the way. n
Il do not expect reply without due
consideration. Please take the pro-
'posal to separate conferences. / wish
you to appraise the situation, weight
your responsibilities, and then answer
this proposal as you wish to be APP
praised by American public opinion. !
am speaking first of all for the public
interest, but I am likewise mindful OF
the rights Of both workers and opera
tors. You arc also an insCparablc part
Of that public interest. With due rc-
gard to all concerned, it ought to be
easy TO find a way to resume activities
and command the approval of the
American public"