New-York tribune., 1922-06-29
Lewis, Union Chiefs and
Big Anthracite and Btu
minous Operators Asked
TO White House Saturday
Will Get Ultimatum
To Agree by Aug. l
Government to Point the
Way and Will Assume
Charge if They Fail
.,or 7he Tribune. Washington Bureau


WASHINGTON, June 2s.-President
Harding to-day summoned the warning
factions in the mine strike 20 n general
conference at the White House next
Saturday Both anthracite and btu
minous operators, President John l..
Lewis, Of the United Mine Workers,
and twcnty-three district presidents Of
the union were invited simultaneously
after the President had conferred with
Secretary Of Labor Davis and Mr.
Lewis.
The union heads Immediately ae-
cepted the invitation. which said that
tho object Of the conference would be
"to devise methods upon which negotia-
tions for the settlement Of the coal
strike can be initiated A favorable
response from the representative oper-
ators is assured, il was said.
To Present Definite Program
There was no official statement from
the Administration, other than the pub
lication Of the texts Of the messages
20 operators and miners. Great sig
nifcance is seen, however. in the fact
that both anthracite and bituminous
interests will participate. II means. II
is declared. that the President will lay
before the conference a definite and
clear-cut program. in which the plans
worked out by Secretary Of Commerce
Hoover for the reorganization of the
industry will play q prominent part.
The Administration will hold an ex-
tremely strong hand in the delibcra.
tions. according 10 officials close 10 the
c executive. 1t is suggested Mr.. Hard
itg may even place a limit on the time
Which will be given the two sides 10
reach an agreement with Federal aid
and guidance. with the OPTION, in case
they fail. Of the government then TAX
ing complete chsrpe of the situation.
Under this scheme. Mr.. Harding and
his Cabinet aids would first point the
way 20 what they believe tho most
prom-s'.g course for operators and
miners to follow in seeking a settle
ment and then give them until August
10 reach that goal Weight is lent
10 this suggestion by the declaration
that the safety point" in the reserve
coal supply will be passed about Sep
tember !.
Small Victory for Union
The only comment Mr. Lewis would
make on the new development was:
"All have 10 say is that the miners
accept the invitation"
"Prognostieation is impossible at thi.
tine he added, when questioned about
the attitude with which the two side.
would approach the conference.
The general conference is regarded
automatically as giving the mine work
ors 4 small victory, however. They
have held out all along, IL was pointed
out. for collective bargaining against
the operators refusal 10 meet ex,
ccpt in separate conferences In III,
various districts. Mr. Lewis and IN,
union officials have contended that con
structive results could be obtained only
through 4 uniform agreement on tn,
wage scale with the operators con
trolling a majority Of the production
Their assertion is that individual oper
ators, while holding out for separate
settlements, AZ the same time would no'
come 10 terms without the knowledg,
of the nature Of agreements worked ou'
hy their fellows. Successful settle
rient can only be reached, therefore
they say. By getting "a majority OF th'
tonnage" around one table. This oh
viously is recognized by the govern
mcnt.
II is probable that the actual meetin:
Saturday morning will be held in th'
Presidents private Office and that aftei
launching il he will turn supervision
over 20 Secretary Davis Of the Depart
mcnt Of Labor and Secretary Of Com
merce Hoover. Mr.. Harding is TO q
10 Gettysburg 10 review the marine
corps maneuvers and later 10 his hom'
at Marion, Ohio, for a short visit.
Presidents Letter to Lewis
The Presidents letter TO Mr. Lewis
written to-day, said:
"Tn accordance with our informal die
Fcussion OF a few days ago I I'M nov
extending 10 you officially an invitation
% meet with me at the White Hous'
executive Offices on Saturday morning
I Tuly /. az 10 o'clock, for n conference
"a devise methods upon which negotia
| tions for the settlement Of the Goa
strike can be initiated. ! am sending
, lito invitation 20 the district pTesi
dents OF the United Mine Workers o
America, and have also extended
| ike invitation 10 the bituminous an'
J fooailns,a On nut ps7.)