Evening star., 1922-06-25
Belief Held Operators and Union
Officials May Meet This Week.

omclals May Meet This Week.
Departure for Washington last nigh,
from Cleveland Of John L. Lewis,
president of the United Mine Work
ers OF America. added strength to the
belief informally expressed in official
circles yesterday that the govern.
ment, as the result of the fatal Illi-
nois outbreaks, might undertake TO
bring the operators and union officials
together in conference here this week
News of Mr.. Lewis departure from
Cleveland contained in dispatches re-
ceived no comment either from the
government or labor circles, however
and Mr.. Lewis refused to divulge the
purpose of his mission. If his COM
ing here is for a conference with gov
ernment officials, 1t was believed no
action would be taken until tomor-
row.
Satisfaction in OMciaIdona.
The coal strike, with its tragic de-
velopment, the massacre at Herrin,
ILL.,. continued to engage the admins
trative branch of the government
yesterday. and there was a feeling OF
satisfaction in official circles last
night at the progress being made by
federal and state officials in their
intercourse with both parties to the
strike.
The opinion was expressed that the
differences between the strikers and
the operators over a method OF reach
ing settlement in the controversy
Will be composed In the near future.
Reports from federal conciliators in
diana, Ohio, West Virginia and Penn
sylvania were said to Indicate a gem
eral realization by all factions that
negotiations Of differences should no
longer be postponed.
Overtures May he Made.
If this general feeling does not suf-
fer a relapse today it was intimated
by responsible government officials
that overtures might possibly be
made to induce operators and mine
workers to participate in a confer
ence at the White House, should the
President approve of such a move.
Such a procedure, 1t was pointed out,
would give concrete proof of the
evident desire on the part OF the gov
ernment to proffer its good offices in
the interest Of all factions and in no
way interpose any obstacles or inter
ference SO far as states rights were
concerned.
The murder Of the strikebreakers
in the Lester mine at Herrin by
striking miners was denounced in the
Senate yesterday by Senator Myers of
Montana, democrat, who declared that
the German atrocities during the war
had not been as brutal as the treat
ment meted out to the strikebreakers
by the strikers.
Illinois state authorities were criti-
cized by Senator Myers and also by
Senator Bursum, republican. New
Mexico, the latter stating that the
fault was Of the government Of the
state Of Illinois to do its duty"
Senator Myers also predicted that
the Illinois authorities would further
show themselves derelict, and that
no punishment would be meted out to
those responsible for the bloodshed.
Secretary Davis Optinistie.
Secretary Of Labor Davis was rep
resented as being satisfied that II
general conference could be brought
about the major issues could be SO
modified as to result in some tangible
basis upon which a mutual under
standing could be arrived at satisfac-
tory to every interest concerned.
Operators have steadfastly declined.
It Is said, to participate in such a con-
ference, preferring to deal with
strike conditions through district o.
state conferences.
Administration officials were said
to recognize the necessity Of I'M
pressing upon strikers and operators
alike that further violence at :ls
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