New-York tribune., 1922-08-19
Hard CoalPeace
HanggingFiire e ON
" age Mediation
Operators Propose to Put
Issue Up to Anthracite
Cancellation Board and to
Three Umpires if 1T Fails
speosql ptspatoa to Tne Trtpuns

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 1S.-Submis-
sion of the wage controversy between
anthracite operators and miners to the
anthracite conciliation commission,
with certain provisos-a marked de-
parture from precedent-is rumored
in certain hard coal circles as the
proposition the operators will place
before the mine workers. representa-
tives at the conference now in session
in the offices of the Lehigh Coal and
Navigation Company.
The conference will meet again to-
morrow morning at 10 o'clock, having
adjourned tonight with the issuance
of formal statement of no impor-
tance.
1t was learned from an authentic
source that the operators proposal in
wolves the retention of the personnel
of the present conciliation commits
sion. The commission for the last
twenty years has been functioning
satisfactorily to botn sides, but has
never heretofore taken up wage ques-
tions.
Would Go to Three Umpires
The new proposal is that the COM
mission retain it's present membership
Of three mine worker representatives
and three representatives of the OPP
orators. In event of their failure to
reach an agreement, however, the mat
ter will not be referred to one umpire,
as formerly, but to three, two of whom
shall be appointed by the President
and judge of the United States Cir
cult Court.
The proposal is deemed reasonable
it is understood, because it continues
the tenure of office of three of the
district presidents Of the miners as
members of the board, assuring the
mine workers of adequate represen-
tation.,
There is one rock, however, upon
which the ship of peace, as represent
wrecked. That is the stipulation by
the operators that Charles Neill be re-
, tanned as one of three umpires in
event of disagreement.
Miners Opposed to Neill
Neill has been the umpire for the
commission for years back, but is said
now to be unacceptable to the miners.
because of alleged statements on two
occasions recently that he favored q
reduction of wages in the hard coal
regions.
The other two umpires, according to
rumors concerning the operators plan,
will be neutrals of high personal
standing.
The statement issued in the name
of Samuel D. Warriner, spokesman for
the operators, and John l.. Lewis, pres
ident of the United Mine Workers of
America, said:
sa,, ,
and miners representatives gave fur
ther consideration to-day to the mat
ters at hand. Both operators and mine
workers advanced their views on the
matters before the conference.
"The conference will reconvene Sat-
urday morning, at 10 o'clock"
That was all. 1t was stated that both
Mr.. Lewis and Mr.. Warmer were
agreed that the actual facts of the
meeting should remain secret for the
present.
One operator was asked for his
opinion on tho outlook.
My opinion is neither one way or
the other" was the answer. II nope
for settlement, but whether it will
come tomorrow cannot say
ssWill the conference be extended
or into next week :" received only q
smile for answer.
Hope for Agreement To-day
Nevertheless it was regarded as ex-
ceedingly likely that some sort Of
tentative proposal might be patched
up tomorrow, although the weightier
matter of deyising machinery for the
permanent adjustment of difficulties
without the recourse to strike. is
known to chiefly occupy the minds OF