Evening star., 1922-07-10
Urges Commission
to Negotiate New
Scale. &.
BOTH SIDES LIKELY
TO ACCEPT PLAN
Arbitrators Would Be
Expected to Act by
August 10.

Peace in the coal industry was made
possible today through government
Intervention in the nationwide coal
strike which has tied up the mines. of
the nation for fifteen weeks.
President Harding submitted to a
Joint conference of operators and
miners a definite proposal that-sthe
miners return to work at the wage
scale In existence when work was
suspended on April l and continue to
work on that scale until August 10
Meanwhile an arbitration commission
would be appointed to negotiate a
new wage scale. The commission, as
outlined by the President will con-
sist of three members appointed by
the United Mine Workers of America
three appointed by the mine oper-
ators and five to represent the pub
lie. named by the President.
Expected to Accept.
Operators and miners met in differ
ent sections of the city this after
noon to consider the proposal of the
President with every indication that
the government proposal would be
oos'
building, while operators met at the
bureau of mines. Their answer. it
was understood. must be given by to-
night.
The arbitration commission would
be expected to have its award ready
by August 10, but il unable to ar
range a new scale by that date. the
wage scale which expired April 1
would be continued, under the terms
of the government proposal, from
August 10 to April l, 1928.
The government proposal followed
a general conference between opera
tors and miners, with Secretary Hoo
Yer and Secretary Davis represent
ing the government, at the Red Cross
have heen fruitless of results. The
conference then adjourned to the
White House, where, after wait OF
a few minutes, the entire group of
operators and miners was- ushered
into the executive office, where the
form Of letter. Secretaries Davis.
Hoover and Fall were in conference
with the President before the other
members of the conference were ush-
On behalf of the government, Secre-
tary Davis, it was learned, read to
the joint conference at the Red
Cross a proposal that committee Of
six operators and six miners be ap-
pointed to outline districts in the
b1tuminous coal area in which ne
gotiations could be held between the
miners and operators. the govern
ment to assume responsibility for
differences which could not be negoti-
eted. Both sides were declared to
have found the proposition unaccept-
able.
seo.0ee Miners May Resume Jobs.
If the terms of the Presidents pro-
posal are accepted by both sides, in
the neighborhood of 100000 miners
will return to work as word is receiv-
ed from union headquarters. Imme-
diate resumption of work in the coal
mines of the nation will bring to a
close the strike which began on April
]. and which has continued uninter-
ruptedly since, with the nation COM
ing closer and closer to a menacing
shortage of coal.
The action of the President was
viewed in some quarters as constitut-
ing a virtual ultimatum to both sides
to bring about peace in the coal in
nation. Coal stocks have been rapid
1y depleted within the past few weeks
and, according to governmen officials,
industry is rapidly approaching
point where an actual shortage would
exist. Railroads were declared to
have practically the only coal surplus
in existence on a major utility, while
the situation in the northwest was
said to have been assuming serious
shutdown Of coal shipments via the,
Great Lakes