Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-07-17
HOPEAGAIN
FOR NINE,
RAILPEACE
Sentiment Gains for Con-
ference Between Coal
Operators, Workers
SENATE MAY SHAPE
ANTI-STRIKE LAWS

CONTINUED From First Page.)
ceived by the department and the
situation generally seems to have
grown. no worse over the weekend.
Mines leaders are prepared and
willing to meet the employers. The
group of operators, which for some
time has advocated conferences
is gaining strength II was learned
today. The miners will negotiate
with the operators when the latter
group gains enough recruits to ar
range a settlement for a representa-
tive section Of the union coal fields.
This was the only hopeful ray of
peace today in the otherwise men
acing situation caused by the rail
and coal strikes. The mine strike
IS now in its sixteenth week. while
the strike of railway shopmen has
been on II days.
It is known that he would be glad
TO see the miners and operators get
together in a conference without
governmental Intervention and settle
their differences. The operators are
said to be swinging toward this plan
because OF the threat OF the Presi-
dent 10 seize their mines unless the
dispute is soon settled.
The country's first sign OF real
alarm over the menace of the com
bined coal and rail strike began TO
be reflected in Congress- today in a
feverish desire to do something. But
like the rest of the country. Congress
did not know what it could do.
Until a few days ago. slight re-
action was apparent from the coun-
try generally to the strike situation.
With summer activities in full swing.
neither the coal nor the rail strike
has yet seriously hit the great mass
OF the people. But as August l
nears and public utilities. manufac-
turing plants and other industries
face the certainty that they must
close laying Off thousands Of men.
unless coal Is quickly made avail
able. appeals have begun TO pour in
on Congress for relief.
The disposition OF both Republi- !
cans and Democrats In Congress has |
been TO leave President Harding I'M |
hampered in his efforts TO settle the |
two strikes. But with the rail /
workers defying the government and |
more OF them preparing 10 quit and 1
with the coal miners refusing TO con- /
slider the Presidents arbitration pro- |
posals demand for action is growing |
strong IN Congress that these steps 4
Will be taken this week.
/. The senate Interstate commerce |
committee Will begin inquiry TO de-
termire the exact facts on the shop
crafts AMI maintenance OF way
strike with view 20 revision OF the
Esch- Cumm ms law TO provide for
some iiIerent means Of settling
labor difficult es. In this connection
there is a strong and growing senti-
ment for 'scrapping" the labor
board. as at present constituted by
the law, and for replacing II with
some government agency with real
authority. or attempting some other
means Of preventing rail strikes.
,. Senator Borah and the labor
committee will informally discuss
the strike situation as means of
keeping in close touch with all de- ,
velopments so that AZ legislation Is ,
called for the committee will be able
to act promptly.
8. Groups Of Senators. represent ,
ing the central competitive field ,
states. the middle northern and ,
northwestern States and New Eng ,
land will hold further conferences Z
to discuss means Of getting coal.
Refusal of the operators Of the :
central competitive field to meet the G
miners in wage and working con- e
d.tions conference to which both q
sides were bound by previous agree n
ment precipitated the present strike. t
Several individual operators urged p
on the main body acquiescence to a {
direct conference when President
called the joint meeting 10 n
end the strike. The miners told y
these operators they were willing C
10 treat with any Representative G
group" but developments Of the $
past few days have whipped more :
operators into line.
Certain miners officials believe q
that the operators are swinging p
around TO the direct conference idea
for the following reasons: G
/. They do not want government \
seizure Of the mines.
2. The miners rejection OF the
Presidents settlement proposa c
shows a determination to continue IL
he strike indefinitely. C
3. They are Losing too much II
money. c
4. The fear that the miners will +
win eventually on their main de-
hands and that settlement may as a
we'll be made now as later. n
The bituminous operators went b.
nto conference again today after
ailing to reach an agreement last
light on the Harding proposal.
The miners policy committee held 70
mother conference today. Presl-
lent John L. Lewis of the miners m
declared the committee would not iii
econsider its rejection of the pro-
losal Today's meeting is only a 81
natter OF form. he stated. SO
FINED TO PROD MEMORY.