Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-07-19
HARDING ASKS
Continued from PAGE One)

conferences with union officers and
mine operators and the offer Of exist
ing wage scales to the striking miners.
all Of which had ended, he said in
failure to reach voluntary adjust
ment, and left no recourse but to in
wife the mine operators to return to
their mines and resume operations.
For this last endeavor he asked the
assistance Of the states. The govern
crs addressed and the message which
was understood to have been approved
at today's cabinet meeting, follow:
Governors Kilby, Alabama; McRae,
Arkansas; Shoup. Colorado: Hardwick,
Georgia; Small, Illinois: Moray, In
diana; Kendall. Iowa; Allen, Kansas:
Morrow, Kentucky; Richie, Maryland:
Groasbeck. Michigan; Hyde, Missouri:
Dixon. Montana; Mecham. New Mexico:
Morrison. North Carolina; Nestos,
North Dakota; Davis. Ohio; Robertson.
Oklahoma; Olcott. Oregon; Sproul.
Pennsylvania; McMaster, South Dako-
ta;; Taylor, Tennessee; Neff, Texas;
Mabey. Utah; Trinkle, Virginia; Hart.
Washington; Morgan. West Virginia;
and Carey. Wyoming.
The text of the presidents telegram
follows:
The proposal Of the federal govern
ment to the United Mine Workers and
the various coal operators, whose
mines are under suspension, to submit
all questions il dispute to a national
coal commission for arbitration. has
danlinnh
chned as body. The majority Of the
pltuminous operators pledged unoual-
med acceptance. The anthracite oper-
ators file unconditional acceptance.
minority of the bituminous operators
accepted the principle Of arbitration.
put made specifications which could
not be considered. / had proposed that
the operators and the mine workers in
dispute should Immediately resume
coal production under the wage scales
and working conditions which pre-
vailed at the time of the strike on last
April 1; that every question in DISPUTE
should go to national commission to
be composed Of three representatives
or the mine workers. three representa-
tivcs of the oprators and five repre-
sentatives of the American people 1t
was proposed to make the commission
the hnal authority on all disputes I'M
til next March, and meanwhile the
commission was to inaugurate a
searching inquiry into every phase of
the coal industry in order to recon-
mend the way to maintained under.
standings between workmen and en-
ployers, to promote steady employ
meilt and assure a continuous and am
pie fuel supply.
THE failure tc secure the acceptance
Of this proposal for voluntary ad-
justment left no. other course but to
invite the mine operators to return to
their mines and resume activities.
trust you will find it consistent
to second this invitation, if YOU have
not already done so, with the invita-
ton to all miners and operators to
resume their work. This invitation
should be accompanied by such as
surance of maintained order and the
protection OF lawful endeavor as will
give assurance to everybody con-
cerned. l want to convey to you in
$500 NHSS'ett,O tilC assurance OIL the
prompt and full support of the fed
eral government whenever and
Wherever you find your own agen-
cies or law and order inadequate to
meet the situation
Your state government and the
federal government are Jointly re-
sponsible for maintained conditions
under which free men, willing to
work, may work in safety. We are
responsible for the production and
transportation of fuel supply ample
for the necessities Of the American
people and the public utilities which
serve them. particularly the railways
engaged in interstate commerce. We
must have ample coal to maintain in
dustrial activity. We must have the
coal necessary to the health, secur-
ity and the activity Of all the peo-
pie. l recite to you these details be.
cause 1t is important to have it un-
derstood how far the federal govern.
ment has gone in seeking voluntary
adjustment. Thus far there has been
no challenge Of the right Of workers
to decline employment or the right of
the employers to hire as they elect.
Our present duty is to guarantee
security in the exercise OF these
rights, security in all lawful opera
tons, and afford safe opportunity
for that production and distribution
demanded by the necessities Of the
American people.
There has been no government as
sumption of part in the dispute be-
tween organized workers and organized
employers. I did offer the only avail
able agency which know to effect a
settlement. and these good offices have
not awaited.
ut becomes necessary, therefore, in
the name Of common welfare to invite
protection in the fulfillment Of that OBJ
legation which attaches to an American
industry engaged in providing any
public necessity and to afford security
to all men alike who are ready and
willing to work and serve the common
need. No cause is so important as
that Of common welfara and fhara