The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-08-17
COAL SITUATION
IS CLEARING UP
Washington Hopes Climax in
Anthracite Strike viii Be
Reached Soon.
WON'T USE THE BIG STICK"
Government Administration Leaders
More Optimistic Than at Any
Time Since PsrIeys Started
Illinois Operators Split

Illinois Operators Split
Washington, Aug. 14-The coal
situation is going to be solved prompt
iy. The climax In the anthracite coal
strike will be reached within a week.
II was stated at the White House.
Peace in the bituminous fields is
hoped for by the administration with
out the necessity OF drastic action by
the government.
Administration leaders were more
optimistic than at any time hereto
fore over successful results coming
out Of the conference of bituminous
miners and operators at Cleveland.
The vote Of the policy committee Of
the United Mine Workers TO proceed
with negotiation Of a wage agreement
with the operators represented at
Cleveland, despite the fact that they
represent only about 20 per cent OF
the tonnage OF the central competitive
feld. removed the biggest obstacle on
the miners side.
No Big Stick.
President Harding will not swing
the big stick In the strike crisis. Tha
President let Il he known that. no
matter what may develop In the coal
and railroad strike situation. he will
not make threats
The President believes that the
coal strike viii soon be settled. Just
what II going 10 develop In the rail
road strike. he does not know. nor II
he certain what course thu govern.
ment should pursue II the rail strike
II made more effective.
But. whatever happens. Mr.. Hard
ing will not Yield TO appeals for force
full measures.
Men to Sign Scale.
President Lewis prediction that 10
per cent OF all bitumlnous tonnage
now on strike would sign the scale and
return to work within q week appar.
emily cleared away fear In the minds
OF some union leaders over the posi-
tion In which a settlement would leave
the miners from the - per cent Of
tonnage not represented.
The administration. II was made
clear. looks for a quick settlement OF
the anthracite strike irrespective OF
the btuminous results. There IL not
the obstinacy on the part Of the an
thracite operators that has character
ized the majority In the btumlnous
fields. the White House pointed out.
A conference between anthracite
miners and operators would have
been In session, II was declared. but
for the fact that some OF the officers
Of the miners union who must partici-
pate are engaged at Cleveland.
The administration. while disap-
pointed that the anthracite conference
II thus delayed. feels that the delay
Il justified by the progress now being
made at Cleveland
One government official declared
that 40OOO,O0O tonnage outside the
central competitive field was ready 10
sign, II the 10000 900 represented at
Cleveland reached an agreement. This
outside tonnage IL largely west OF the
Mississippi. with some In ths union
ized districts Of the Southwest.
Break In Ranks
Chicago, Aug. l+.-Prediction that
the Illinois coal mine strike will be
called oil August Is. and that coal
will be hoisted at substantially the
normal tonnage In this state before
the end Of next week. was circulated
among Chicago coal men who have
been kept reliably posted on peace
conferences which have been In
progress behind the scenes for the
last three days.
Whether this prospective settlement
will be due 10 split OF an important
group of Illinois operators away from
the arbitration or a fight to the
finish" attitude taken ofiicialiy by the
three operators associations of the
state In session here. or will be a sep
srate agreement with Frank Earring.
ton. representa-; the Illinois miners
union. could not be definitely ascer-
tained.
The first indication OF a break
among operators affiliated with the IL
linois associations came when Il was
announced at the sessions OF the three
operators associations at the Great
Northern hotel that the United Elec-
tric Coal company of Danvllle had
thrown its tonnage, rnted Mt between