The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-08-17
By EDWARD W. p,cKARp

~ cials Of the miners union and the
authorities In Washington are badly of
In their guessing, the coal strike Is al
most over. The four-state conference
called by President Lewis In Cleve-
land was considering favorably this
agreement
l. -four state" basic contract,
perhaps expanded to include north
ern West Virginia, under which the
old wages and working conditions In
the contract which expired last March
81 will he continued until next April I.
2 A fact finding body to be set NJ
under approval or by appointment Of
President Harding to find out what Is
the matter with the coal industry and
what can be done to straighten II out.
Definite action Is being delayed In
hope that the Illinois and lndi-
ana operators will change their minds
and participate. Hitherto the oper-
ators have sought to break away from
the idea of central competitive dis
trict on which the miners insist. by
getting some producers from each Of
the four states into the agreement,
irrespective Of how small minority
Of production they may represent, the
United Mine Workers argue they car
ry their contention by getting a set
Element on four state basis. But the
contract will be binding only upon
those who sign up. and Illinois, which
produces about twice as much as any
other state in the central field, will
have only few individual signers the
big associations standing pat on their
own proposals. However, the theory
most generally expressed al the con-
ference was that once mines In the
East begin 10 open up. there will be
a rush on the part Of Illinois and In
diana producers Ia sign up.
In Washington the government Off
Gals were predicting the early settle
ment Of the bitnminous strike through
the adoption Of compromise agree
ment embracing these features:
Restoration of last years wage
scale until next March. with continue
tion Of the check-off system.
Creation OF coal commission TO In
vestigate the situation and TO recon-
mend a new agreement.
Postponement Of further controversy
until next spring, by which time the
proposed investigation will be com
pleted.
II was reported that President A.
N. Ogle Of the National Coal associa-
tion was favorable to this plan and
that Senator Mckinley had advices
that the Illinois operators were In
clined to enter such an agreement.
Governor McCray's effort to reopen
Indiana mines under military guard
proved more Of gesture than an ac-
complshment. Very little coal was
produced during the week and most
of the men employed deserted, fearing
for their lives. The governor intimat-
ed that II all other plans for averting
O fuel famine In the state failed, con
Wet labor would be employed to get
out coal under martial law. On the
other hand, the impea chment Of Me
Cray for sending troops into the coal
6eld was demanded by mass meet
Ing Of strikers and union labor men
at Terre Haute.
II was the general belief that II
present negotiations fall to end the
strike, President Harding will seize
guard Of federal troops. That he
might await the sanction Of congress
for such course was indicated by
the fact that he suggested 10 the Re
publican leaders Of the house the de-
sirability of maintaining full member
ship attendance when the house should
reassemble this week, instead Of the
taking Of the usual three day recess.
Democratic Leader Garrett wired all
Democratic members 10 be In their
seats Tuesday, but the Republican
leaders took no such action.
pREsIDENT HARDING's desire for
i congressional help applies equally
10 the railroad strike, which If any
thing Is becoming more serious, His
latest and, In his own words last sug-
gestion for peaceful settlement of this
controversy was that the shOpmen re-
turn TO work and that both sides sub
tut HutNllpl VI N'hl'iAAN W NV
railroad labor board. This was instant
ly rejected, informally, by the lead
ers OF the shop crafts, who called for
general conference Of all the railroad
labor organizations ia Washington on
Friday, 10 consider a formal reply and
10 adopt measures to make the strike
more effective Mr., Jewell said the
answer TO the President might not be
ready for several days.
The shopmen are trying In various
ways 10 obtain the active support OF
the brotherhO0ds, and In measure
are getting II. Engineers firemen and
trainmen are ordered by their chiefs
10 take no chances with defective
equipment. Despite the denials OF
railway officials, the union leaders
declare that engines and cars are de-
teriorating RAPIDLY, and more than In