The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-08-12
COAL DISCUSSION
Is CONTINUED

ated Press) ).-EfForts Of the Joint
subscale committee Of coal operators
and miners to reach an agreement per-
mitting the resumption Of coal min
ing was resumed today while Cover
rors Davis Of Ohio and Groesbeck Of
Michigan awaited development with I:
view to aiding in effecting the settle
ment of the soft coal strike. Although
obstacles were encountered by tie
committee spokesmen on both sides
greed the pro gress was made and til :
Governors said they were convince
that there are no insurmountable diff.
ticulties hindering the settlement.
Cleveland, Ohio, Aug. IL (Bv the
Associated Press) s).-Any wage con-
tract that may grow out Of the con
ference here of soft coal operators and
miners probably will continue in force
cnly until next April 1, it was inai-
Gated today by discussion of the op-
orators and miners Joint subscale COM
mittee on the general terms of al.
cgreement. No final decision on any
question was reached but the date for
expiration of the contract was
brought forward in considering what
board or commission might be Great
ed to arrange for future negotiations.
Past contracts have run for two years,
expiring en- March 81. Operators on
the committee declined to make pub
lie their proposal for future settle
ments but it was understood to have
suggested arbitration and in this re.
spect met with the fiat refusal of tho
miners. The union leaders, however
were said to approve a fact finding
comn ion of purely advisory powers.
Although opposition to negotiating
an interstate agreement which might
tix a mining rate of wage for Illinois
was raised by Frank harrington, the
Illinois miners president, the adjourn
ment of the committee was marked
by Michael Gallagher, heading the op-
orators, declaring 1--WE have labored
hard all day and feel we are making
progress."' While President John l.
Lewis, heading the miners, added tha.
he was as optimistic as ever over the
prospects of reaching an agreement.
Mr.. Harrington, sponsor of single
state agreement for ending the strike,
was understood to have notified the
committee that he would not be bound
to settle with Illinois operators on.
the basis Of any agreement that may
be made here while Mr.. Lewis an
sweref iat the question arising from
the IlnJ5, IS leaders, stand was one for
the decision Of the u,ion's policy COM
mittee.
The stand by Mr. harrington in the
committee and notice from Illinois
operators that they would not join
the conference were not regarded by
Mr.. Lewis as an obstacle to a settle
ment. Fe said "no inlpedimcnt in the
conference" has developed and added
that he was '"hopcful of its success" ="
Referring to the Illinois operators
demand for arbitration being embod
led in a settlement, Mr.. Lewis said
there was "no deviation" from the
unions opposition to arbitration.
Aside from the committee work oil
prospective agreement an effort on
the part of governors in the coal pro-
ducing states TO aid a settlement de-
.c!opad when Governor Davis of Ohio
and Governor Groesbeck of Michigan
net with Mr.. Lewis and later with n
committee of operators to canvass the
situation and learn what action, if
any, they might take to bring peace in
the coal industry.