Evening star., 1922-08-20
Operators Are Anxious to Re-
sumo Production, PhiIadeI-
phia Conference DiscIoses.
L0NG-TERM AGREEMENTS
ARE URGED BY WORKERS
Mine Owners Willing to Sign Con-
tracts Providing for Wage
Changes.

PHILADELPHIA, August lS-Two
things today were disclosed by the
conference between the leaders of thu
United Mine Workers of America and
Inc operators to settle the coal strike
IN the anthracite fields. according tn
information obtained after the ad-
1ournment of the third meeting.
Ihe first was that the only stum-
phng block that lies in the way of
agreement was the arbitration proposal
offered by the operators.
fhe second was that the operators
were anxious to arrive at an agree
ment and resume the production n,
coal at once.
ihe latter development, coupled
with the desire on the part of the
mine workers to return to work IL
was pointed out. augurs well for the
success OF the conference. How much
time will elapse before the represen-
tatives Of the two sides get together
however. proved speculative even among
their own numbers.
Hope for Adjustment.
Although the conference ,odav
lasted only an hour and a half both
sides emerged still hopeful for an
early adjustment. The terse state
ment distributed at its adjournment
announced that no agreement had
been reached. and concluded with the
sentence that another conference
would be held on Monday afternoon.
Neither John l. Lewis, interna.ion-
al president of the miners. nor Samuel
d. Warriner, president of the Lehigh
Coal and Navigation Company and
the spokesman for the operators.
would elaborate on the statement, de-
claring that both sides felt that the
success OF the conferences might be
jeopardized by the undue publicity.
From an official source, however. il
was learned that the proposal for the
anthracite conciliation commission
to settle the dispute as advanced by
the operators had been submitted to
the miners. The proposal resulted in
some discord at the meetings yester-
day and today, it was stated, ami oc-
casioned a desire on the part of the
mine workers to substitute some
other plan of arbitration.
Suggest Three Umpires.
The proposition, as it was handed
to the mine workers for considera-
tion, it was learned, provides that
the commission continue as at pres
ent constituted with three mine
workers. representatiyes and three
representatives of the operators, with
the proviso that, in the event of a
disagreement, the dispute be referred
to three umpires, instead of one, as
formerly, and with the understand
ing that the two additional umpires
be neutrals of high personal stand
ing.
The incumbent umpire. Charles 2.
Neill of Washington, under the plan
would be retained.
Another provision embodied in the
proposal is that the conciliation
commission, which was established
by the Roosevelt commission in 1908.
be required to render a decision on
or before March 81, 1928. The oper-
ators, who heretofore have opposed
long-term contracts with the mine
workers, were said to be Withdrawing
their opposition to some extent.
They were reported to have assumed
the position that a four or five year
contract would not be objectionable
If provisions are made for periodical,
changes as to wages only.