Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-03-18

held. he added. TO CONFER win the
United Mine Workers on a new wage
agreement and the lack OF sufYicient
time to negotiate a new contract for
the anthracite men will inevitably
force q suspension of the mining In
dustry on April l."
Finds DeRation Imperative.
Samuel d. warriner. OF Philadcl-
phia, Chairman OF the general policies
committee OF the anthracite operators.
presented the reply. II said that the
operators strivcd for an agreement
whereby the anthracite industry will
provide fair wages. full time employ
mcnt To Its workers, and a maximum
production OF coal at cost which Will
enable II to be sold to It's consumers at
price they are able to pay. Defia-
ton In the cost of production, 20 per
. cent OF which Is represented by mine
labor, Is imperative"
The expression "open shop" does no,
appear In the operators statement, but
il covered In the provision that the
form OF the contract Is in accord with
the principles laid down by tho anthra
cite commission appointed by Presiden
Roosevelt In 1902 and the anthracite
coal commission appointed by Presi
dent Wilson In 1920"
Following the meeting Mr.. Warrine
declared that while IL would be foollsl
for any person TO attempt to say whei
an agreement will be reached" he WA
confident that the friendly relations ex
listing moro than 20 years would h
maintained. sentiment shared b.
John l.. Lewis. leader OF the miners
who took occasion TO sharply contras
the action OF the hard coal producer
with that Of the bituminous men Il
refusing To keep their contract TO NEE
in wage conference even when urge
To do so by Government officials.
Mr.. Lewis I'm his talk took exception
to Mr.. WARMERS declaration tha
wages must he reduced in order {
provide cheaper coal for the publ,
holding that there Is not wide enous
margin between the cost OF producin
Goa, and tho price at the mouth OF tn
mine TO permit saving TO the publ
without any reduction In wages.
. THE fact that other labor has bee
reduced is not in itself n reoson VIII
the anthracite miner should have hi
wages reduced. The average classic
cation is below other industries. an
below that paid in the bituminou
mines. With respect to the request fc
an increase. we are prepared to sho'
the increases during the war did No
keep up with the cost OF living. Th
miner was then compelled to TAX
losses.
I'VE do not hold that the mine
,, should he paid merely n living wag
. We hold, as the President did not Ion
since. that he is entitled to n savin
7, wage. that is to- say, a wage that WI
= permit a margin Of earnings above liz
}. ing costs that will enable him 10 liN
and make. reasonable provision f'
h himself and his family"
3 The miners had asked 20 per Ger
wage Increase FOR the contract min,
and a 81 per day advance for da
labor. and restoration Of wage di
10 ferentials wiped out by the Unite
, states Anthracite Coal Commission
{ Both sides agreed 10 turn the was
negotiations over to a sub commit.
, of four operators and four miner
o which will begin holding conference
in THE city next Tuesday.
e Cites Waee-Earning Public.
r Declaring that the consuming pu'
~ tic is largely. composed OF wage ear
, ers I'm other Industries. the operator
reply said:
q ANY adjustment which IL not sat,
, factory 10 the buyer must inevitab
4 fail. for IN that event production ca
not be distributed, and the miner W
q then lose his opportunity for emplo
nent
e. THE Debated pocketbook of u
Z buyer cannot continue 10 pay q
present prices Economy Is beil
:. practiced by the consumer and vario
4, substitutes for anthracite arc bell
used. But for the fear on the pa
- OF the public OF a suspension on Ap
y the recent movement OF anthrac
y would be less than it was, with I
result of short-time employme
throughout the region. The econou
: situation today not only forbids a
> increase in costs and prices. but col
pels a reduction"
lnmeGlateiy after the conlcren
= Mr.. Warriner. spokesman for {
n operators. said: Il am hopeful II
u we VIII work out a satisfactory agrs
ment. as we have been doing for {
last twenty years"
r 'All hope Of averting a suspensi
Of work in the anthracite region
- gone" said Thomas Kennedy, he
- OF the anthracite miners.
- Despite the denial of such conf
= ence by Secretary OF Labor Davis,
was learned yesterday, that he &C
ferrcd with President Lewis regardi
the bituminous situation Thursc
morning.