The Washington herald., 1922-08-23
ENDS IN DEADLOCK
Spokesman for Operators
Says Binding Arbitra-
ton" Was Cause.
WAY is LEFT OPEN
TO RENEW MEETING
Lewis Declares Miners
Stand for Collective
Bargaining Plan.

ooI b diftiitS Il ldIt.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Aug. IL
The peace conference between an
thracite coal miners and operators
has collapsed.
After fve days Of discussion ne
gotiations were broken OF late to-
day in what was apparently a hop--
less deadlock. The way was left
open for future discussions. how
ever. by an understanding that the
conference would meet again when
either side requested IT,
Surprise st breakdown.
The stumbling block. according
to the operators version. was az
bitration- Samuel ID. Warmer. or
orators spokesman. explained. IN .
statement that the miners decline1
to agree to binding arbitration
of wage disputes. on which the
operators insisted
The breakdown OF the conference
came as a surprise because Opti-
| mistic reports had been spread con-.
cerning its probable success. Mines
even preparN for a resumption OF
/ operations and agreement was ex-
pected in all quartersL
warriser Issues Statement.
Samuel d. warriner. spokesman
for the anthracite operators. in a
formal statement. said:
our conferences with the rer-
resentatives of the anthracite
miners. which began on August N.
were brought about in response 10
the request Of the President Of the
United States communicated TO US
by Senator Pepper. The hope was
| expressed by the President that
there might now be found some
fair basis on which the suspen-
sion of operations In the anthra-
cite fields might be terminated.
In the proposals we have made
to the miners representatives in
the course of the conference. we
have had in mind not merely the
bringing about of a resumption OF
production. altho Igh we think that
II is most important. We have ell
deavored to accomplish this and at
the same time to establish a basis
looking towards permanent peace
and continuous operation in the fu-
ture.
Urged wage Arbitration.
1T was our belief that this could
be best secured by a long term
contract with a provision for peril
odical revision OF wages by arbi-
tration, which should be binding
upon both parties. We were entire-
ly willing to accept as a board of
arbitration a commission or tribu
nal to be appointed by the Presi-
dent.
This having been refused by the
miners. we proposed to utilize The
lexisting familiar machinery OF he
conciliation board which in the an
thracite field has been adjusting
disputes between operators and
miners satisfactorily for the past
twenty years. In case the concilia-
ton board. which is composed q
equal numbers of operators aud
miners. should not be able TO aCree.
we proposed that the presiding
Judge OF the United States District
Court of Appeals for the third ju-
ldicial district should appoint three
umpires whose decision would ne
final and binding upon both parties
Miner. Reject Proposal.
Unfortunately. and in our opin
ion, unwisely. the Representatives
of the miners rejected this poo
posal.
their opposition 10 binding arbi-
tration however impartial, We
made the following proposal:
All mines to resume operation
upon the execution OF contract
extending TO March 81. 1923. the
wages and working conditions
which were in effect March 81.
1922. This contract to provide
that:
"A-on January 5. 1923. the An
thracite Board OF Cancellation shall
meet in conference and determine
wages and working conditions In
the anthracite field effective for
period OF one year beginning
April l, 1929. On January 5. 1924,
the board shall meet in like man.
ner 10 determine wages and work-
ing conditions for a period Of two
years beginning April !. 1924.
Provides for Arbiters-
-B-In case there has been no
agreement prior to February Is In
the wears 1898 and 1924. the pre-
siding Judge OF the United states
Circuit Court of Appeals for the
Third Judicial District shall ap-
point three disinterested citizens
of outstanding character and aeil-
ity. who shall sit with the board
1 10 near lnt ehN ht~NN
nndinEs with respect to the mat
tiers in dispute. These findings
shall be rendered on or before
March Is. shall be recommendatory
in character and shall be subject
10 acceptance or rejection by either
party within ten days thereafter.
This proposal. representing the
extreme Of concession by the oper-
ators was rejected by the miners
representatives today. We have Of
fered to consider any practical
modification Of these plans which
would not sacrifice the ends
sought. The miners spokesman de-
clined to make any such sugges-
tions. They. can speak for them
selves as to their attitude. To us
their plan seems to be Indefinitely
to retain war time wages regard
less Of any other considerations
John L. Lewis. president OF the
Mine workers. in a statement to-
night. said:
when the representatives OF the