The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-12-30
INTEREST
BEING Shown IN
COMING MEETING
Opinions Divided on Possible
Outcome Of Conference in
Chicago Next Week.

Both coal operators and miners
are doing a whole lot of tall think.
ing and guessing as to the outcome
of the Joint conference in Chicago
next Wednesday. Opinions are
varied as to the outcome.
There are some prominent coal
operators who believe that some.I
thing concrete viii be worked out
at the conference. They base this
largely upon the fact that suffl.
Client meetings already have been
called to accomplish something.
On the other hand there are
equally prominent coal operators in
Northern West Virginia who BIO.
lieye that little will be worked out.
They believe in some instances that
at q conference to be held after the
Chicago session something may be
worked out, but think It will be
along the line that President
Lewis Of the United Mine Workers
OF America pulled the last time:
that Is, individual agreements rath.
err than a resumption OF the old
four state agreement.
Drift OF TIE miners opinion 10.
eally Is OF no import because the
brains and the machinery that ma.
nipulates national wage agreements
are In Indianapolis. 1t Is known,
however, that Frank Harrington,
leader OF the Illinois miners, init.
mated to the operators in the last
conference that the basis OF agree.
ment must be on the lines Of tho
old Central Competitive Field plan.
This Is not popular In Northern
West Virginia. It generally being
understood that separate agree
ments are desirable here II they
can be obtained. On the other
hand, those In touch with miners
activities admit that this will be
difficult to get away with.
There is a lot OF guessing as to-
whether or not there will be an.
other strike. The general feeling
is that there will not be, but this
Of course IS not certain until the
actual agreement Is signed. There
lisa feeling, too, that both the oper.
ators and miners will stay away
from any concrete action until aft.
er the Faet.Finding Commission
makes It's report to Congress.
After all. this report will alone
create public opinion as 1t carries
no authority TO force a basis Of
settlement, which Is the real bone
OF contention.
Public sentiment will play a big
part In this controversy IN. the
coal industry; and either side thar
fails to hearken to the public will
be out OF luck and possibly tbs
victim Of some Objectionable leg.
islation. Unfortunately the public
Is bindly led to believe that this
Is It's only recourse, overlooking
the fact that the coal industry Is
an unstabillzed industry and al.
ways will be as long as so many
uncertainties govern Il.
Because OF the possibility Of the
Chicago conference producing
some tangible results President A.
Lisle White, Clarksburg. is urging
all members Of the Northern West
Virginia Coal Operators 'Assoclp.
ton TO attend. All members. big
and small, are entitled to particl.
pate in the conference. Any pol:
Icy accepted there would affect
Northern West virginia and its
operators having union mines. and
for that reason every member Isl
being urged to attend. All mem.
bers are representatives Of the as.
ISOLATION. 1t has been explained. 4
nJuner This Time
Due TO a typographical error III
was stated In last nights West
vlrginian that John A. Clark Of
the Clark q. & O. Co. would 60
to Chicago. It should have read
John A. Clark, Jr,
Monongaheia Meeting
"ss Monongahela Coal Associas