Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-08-09
OPENING WEDGE
IN SETTLEMENT
OF COAL STRIKE
Operators Demand Appoint
ment of Committee on
Arbitration
SETTLEMENT BASIS
Lewis Says Whatever Wage Scale is
Agreed Upon Will Serve To End
The Strike.
(By United Press.)

NhN NNNN'y
Cleveland, Aug. 9.-An opening
wedge towards settlement of the Bit
luminous coal strike may be driven
this afternoon, despite refusal of
operators from Indiana, Illinois and
the Southwest to make the peace par
ley, called by John l.. Lewis, nation
wide and conclusive.
Upon the exact proportion of ton
mage represented by soft coal own
ers who attend today's meeting with
miners leaders depends success of the
first real start towards peace since
the mine war started 191 days ago.
Scattered reresentation from Hi
nois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and
Virginia seemed assured, but whether
President Lewis of the United Mine
Workers would lay his cards on the
table to such a small gathering of
the nations bituminous operators as
this promised to be, was in doubt.
Before the conference opened it
was impossible, union leaders said to
predict its outcome. Yesterdays op-
timism had been dashed by uneX-
pected, flat refusal of important
operators associated, with headquar-
ters at Terre Haute, Kansas City and
Chicago to attend. All hopes of set
tlement had been based on belief they
would come in.
Demand for a committee on arbi-
tration was presented by the opera
tors who held out against the peace
conference. Lewis has steadfastly de-
clined to reveal his attitude towards
this proposal. "a
Despite the fact that both opera
tors and union chiefs have declined
to make formal statement of the
points to be discussed, it was believed
that the bituminous controversy will
be settled on the following basis:
Renewal until March %, 1923
of the wage agreement which ex-
pired March 81, 1922.
2-Continuation of the check-off
system deduction of union dues from
the miners pay which is turned over
to the union).
3-Appointment of commission of
miners and operators to investigate
the mining industry and make re-
ports upon which future wage agree
ments will be based.
Am agreement to begin negotla-
tions for a new wage scale several
months prior to the expiration OF the
scale agreed upon at this meeting IN
order to prevent another strike.
The strategy of Lewis IN insist
ing that the main conference be post
pond until today, is apparent in the
announcement that the tonnage to be
represented at the parley now totals
more than 100,000,000 tons, IN COM
parison with 69,000,000 on Monday.
Approximately 25,000,00O tons of the
West Virginia fields were added by
C. F. Kenney, president OF the Dls-
trict No. II of the United Mine Work
ers Kenney lined up operators OF his
district, representing this tonnage
About 100000 additional tonnage
from the Illinois fields was added
when the Danville, Illinois, district
announced that it would be represent
ed. ,
According to John L. Lewis the
wage scale agreed upon Will serve
to end the countrywide walkout'
Lewis intimated that the union Will,
take any agreement around to opera
tors ali over the country and sign
up with as many as possible.
"When it becomes choice or sign
ing up or having mines remain ldie'
the insurgents will sign," Lewis sald'
Chicago, Aug. 9.-Separate peace
in the illinois Coal Fields was fore
shadowed today by gathering OF fifty
operators of mines within the state,
who were expected to draft a plan
for resumption of work.
Predictions that the operators were
close to a settlement were gwen ADD
ed weight by reports from the coal
districts that preparations are Delhe
made to start work at the mines:
Staunton, Ind, Aug. 9.-The first
casualty in the states effort TO NINE
coal under martial law occurred To-
day. -. =
Sergeant Charles H. Hoskins' OF
Gary. a member of the signal corps,
was shot through the wrist whlle
asleep in his tent.
Skirmish between national guards
men and alleged snipers was gong
on at the time. C..
indianapolis, Ind, Aug. 9.--Convlct
labor will be rushed into southern
Indiana Coal fields to dig coal under
martial law if all other state plans
for breaking the fuel famine fall' UoV'