Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-07-19
PEACE At MINES
IS BELIEVED NEAR
President Harding Asks Both
Sides to Defer Wages.
WILL NAME U. S. COMMISSION
Executives Statement Says Mine
Workers Will Return 10 Work on
the Scale Of Wages Which Ex-
pired Last March.

Washington, July 11.-President
Harding on Monday delivered the gov
ernment's final ultimatum TO the war
ring coal miners and operators.
AZ n brief, tense session at the
White House. the President fatty in
formed them that coal mining activi-
ties must be resumed at once and that
they must submit the disputes which
they apparently are unable TO iron out
20 the arbitration Of commission APP
pointed by the government.
What President Said.
In his talk 10 the coal operators and
miners the President said:
"The Information has come TO me
that your conference Is deadlocked or
at the best attempting TO agree upon
plans which will require extended
time TO work out. / have said here
tofore that the government prefers
YOU. who are parties TO the dispute,
should settle IL between yourselves be
cause you best understand all the
problems involved.
1.-The government cannot settle II
for you. IL will force no man TO
work against his free will; IL will
force no man TO employ men against
the free exercise OF an employers
right. The government will not be
partisan. but the government is con-
cerned with coal production sufficient
10 meet the Industrial and transpOr-
tation requirements OF the country
and 10 safeguard against fuel fam
Inc when winter comes again, and IL
is desired 10 have production re-
sumed nj once.
The Presidents Proposals.
"Your government does desire 10
be helpful. With such a thought,
therefore, submit to you the follow
ing proposal:
milne workers are 10 return TO
work on the scale of wages which
expired last March 81 and mines now
idle because of strike or suspended
operations TO resume activities with
out interference with activities of
mines now working.
"The 1922 scale to be effective I'M
I'll August 10.
"a coal commission 10 be created
at once, consisting Of three members
selected by the mine workers. three
members selected by the mine opera
tors and five members to be named
by the President. All decisions by
this commission shall be accepted as
final.
This commission TO determine. II
possible, within 30 days from today.
for the miners on n strike, n tenn
pOrary basic wage scale which scale
shall be effective until March l. 1923.
"In event that the commission is
unable 10 report its scale by August
10, II shall have power to direct con-
tlnued work on the 1922 scale until
a superseding scale Is ready.
Wants Every Phase Investigated.
"T'he commission shall investigate
exhaustively every phase Of the coal
industry. II shall reveal every cost
of production and transportation. The
President will ask congress 10 confer
authority for the most thorough in
vestlgntion and make appropriations
necessary 20 do such work.
"The commission shall make recon-
mendations looking to the establish
ment or maintenance of industrial
peace in the coal industry, the elimina-
tion Of waste due to intermlttency
and instability and suggest plans for
dependable fuel supply.
"I have taken this short cut TO
resumption OF operations because 1
believe II 10 be in the interests Of
public welfare.
"It Is that simple form OF adjust
ing disputes which answers the call
II good conscience and a just civill-
zation. When two great forces do not
agree there must be a peaceful way
20 adjustment and such an arbitra-
ton opens the way.
81 DO not expect reply without
due consideration. Please take the
proposal 10 separate conferences.
wish you to appralse the situation,
weigh your responsibilities and then
answer this proposal as you wish to
be appraised by American public
opinion.
1T am speaking first Of all for the
public interests. but I am likewise
mindful Of the rights of both work
ers and operators. You are also an
inseparable part OF that public inter
est. With due regard 10 all con-
cerned, II ought 10 be easy TO find n
way 10 resume activities and command
the approval of the American public"