The New York herald., 1922-07-02
INSISTS ON ACTION
Tells Operators and
Miners the Public Is
to Be Considered
in Warfare.
WILL CONFER AT ONCE
Both Sides Arrange for
Meetings to Follow Pres
ident's Plan.
WAGES rs A VITAL ISSUE
Belief Is That Basis Has Been
Laid to Settlement of
the Strife.
Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. C., July l.

Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C., July 1.
President Harding to-day met rep
resentatives of the coal mine workers
and the operators together at the
White House and demanded that an
agreement be reached in the interest
of the public.
President Harding introduced the
two sides of the conference to each
other and outlined what he thinks
should be done. He sounded a warn
ing that unless an agreement is
reached the representatives of the
that the American public may not
suffer because Of the inability OF the
two warring factions in industry to
get together. The larger interests of
the coal industry, President Harding
suggested, should be taken into con-
sideration, that the danger of re-
curing strikes may be lessened
Results followed quickly the Presi-
uenL > lHllidllEs. AHlHidclle HlllleTS
and operators meeting with Secretary
OF the Interior Fall, and bituninous
operators and miners meeting with
Secretary Of Commerce Hoover and
Secretary of Labor Davis. took the
first steps looking to another and
larger conference which will attempt
not only to settle the strike contro-
vcrsy but reestablish the coal industry
on new basis.
Complete silence represented the atti-
tude of representatives of both confer
ences at their close, except that Secre-
tary of Labor Davis said he was opti-
mistic over the outlook.
The conference met with a solemn
realization of what is expected OF it, fol-
lowing the address delivered by Presi-
dent Harding in the morning at the
White House. when he told mine oper-
ators and representatives of the miners
that the public interest was paramount
Text of Presidents Address.
The Presidents address at the White
House conference follows in full:
Il asked you to meet me here this
morning with the thought that in bring
ing you together might be serving both
the mine workers and the mine opera
tors OF the United States, and at the
same time serve the great American
public, to which both you and l are OBJ
ligated. / hold no specific authority un-
der which to admonish you but I do
have the right to invite your immediate
attention to a situation which deeply
concerns the country. the solution of
which you collectively owe to the Amer
lean people.
You who are here to-day represent a
large sponsorship for Americas supply
Of fuel. In that sponsorship you have
an indissoluble relationship to the COM
monwealth OF America Coal Is indis-
pensable 20 our life as a people, and
since this country has afforded you the
opportunity OF development on your
part, both as workers and operators, you
have created in turn an obligation to
serve Conflicting views as to your pol
icies and your obligations to one an
other in no wise modify your obligations
to that public which made possible your
Industrial existence.
Because of expiring agreements re-
lating TO wage scales and worKing CON
ditions = rye percentage of the mining
activities OF the country hss been sus-
pended three months to a day. IL Is not
for me 20 touch upon the merits of your
opposing positions. I have not called
you as a partisan Of the mine worker or
a..
discuss single phase of controverted
questions. The main point Is to bring
you together and in that contact OF men
20 men. mindful of the necessity OF
righteousness In any useful and abiding
relationship. to have you frankly and
fairly consider your problems In their
relation to the welfare of our common
country.
ut is pretty generally recognized that
there are fundamental difficulties in
present day coal production. the solu-
ton OF which is not to be found In an
hour or a day OF most friendly and
earnest conference.
The excess development OF a produc-
ing capacity. in both tonnage available
and miners to work IL. has presented one
situation demanding solution. or there
will be inevitable loss OF property in
this and train OF Improbable employ
ment. Inc war upheaval and all at
tending inflations and excess produce
tions have left an inevitable and un-
avoidable liquidation. The intermittence
in employment has made IL impossible
for mine workers who are only employed
partial time TO pursue their trade at
wage rates adjusted 20 other employ
inents No industry is soundly based
no American activity can be held secure
where employment Ia compensated on a
base OF half time or two-thrds OF tho
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