The New York herald., 1922-08-19
END OF ANTHRACITE
STRIKE SEEN TO-DAY
Continued from First Page.

yesterday that both miners and oper-
ment's policy of hands off" was to be
continued some sort of permanent ad-
justment must be made. The issues
dividing the conference do not revolye
made at the Shamokin convention as
they do about the principles Of arbitra-
tion, wage scales and length of contract.
The miners have consistently refused
declared they realize that only through
some board of adjustment as proposed
by the operators can any permanent
settlement of the strike situation be
made. The likelihood of fact find
ing" commission being established in the
anthracite fields as agreed to in the
bituminous settlement IS regarded as
exceedingly remote. But a wage adj
justment commission to operate imme-
diately previous to April / of each year
of the contract period may be incor-
porated into the general agreement
reached by the operators and miners.
1t is confidentially asserted that the
wage scale will remain the same as 1t
was prior to the "suspension' last April.
The demand of sle miners Tor 20 per
cent. increase aSd the equally positive
demand of the operatorsr for II per
cent decrease in wages In line with
those paid In other industries is most
likely Co result in draw aith the old
scale continuing in effect -
The proposal of the operators that the
wage adjustment committee be estab-
lished hitherto has been vigorously OPP
rosed by the miners, They contend that
the cost of living in the anthracite
regions has remained the same since the
war conditions prevailed. and for that
reason wages should no. be reduced be-
low the same level.
1t was privately declared to-day that
the miners would accept a contract for
as long rs three years at the old wage
scale IL the board OF adjustment could
be dispensed with. In general they are
opposed TO the long term contracts
favored by the operators. because in
that time working conditions must re-
main the same. If the miners will ac-
cept two year contract or even longer,
with the wage at the old rate subject
to an adjustment commission to operate
In March of each year. an agreement is
confidently expected
Such In their essence are the difficult
ties confronting the conference. The
issues are clothed in generalties given
out in joint statements by both operators
and miners.
Despite the seriousness of the situa-
tion and the demand for an adjustment
at almost any cost. the present confer
ence is declared to be the most pes ce-
able and friendly that has ever brought
both miners and operators together. Not
a ripple OF dissension was evidenced to-
day. although members OF the confer
ence were in continuous session behind
closed doors for four hours.
Great difficulty is expected TO be en-
countered by tho operators when the
mining operations arc resumed. Re-
ports from the coal fields indicated that
large numbers of miners have left the
section to seek employment elsewhere.
In certain districts whole communities
have moved away for fresh air jobs,
as miners term outside employment.
Some mines have been rendered ex-
ceedingly dangerous for the resumption
offwork by coal gas. II Is believed that
months will be required I'm some cases to
completely refit mines for normal pro-
duction.
If no agreement is reached by to-mor-
row night the conference probably will
continue until definite settlement is
made. There seems to be no doubt that
the committees finally will agree on
some program to be followed. The pos
sibility of the strike being extended for
n longer period is not seriously consid-
cred.