The Washington times., 1922-08-18

Gentiemen OF tne ConSrebs.
It IL manifestiy my duty TO bring
to your attention the Industrial
situation which confronts the coun-
try. The situation growing out Of
the prevailing railway and coal
mining strikes is 90 serious. 30
menacing to the Nations welfare.
that / should be remiss II I failed
frankly TO lay the matter before
you ana st the same time asquaint
you ana the whole people with such
efforts as she Executive branch Of
the Goyernment has made by the
voluntary exercise OF its good offices
10 effect a settlement.
The suspension OF the coal In
dustry dates hack to last April !.
when the working agreement be-
tween mine operators ana the
United Mine Workers came TO an
end. Anticipating that expiration
of contract, which was negotiated
with the Governments sanction IN
1920, the present Administration
sought, as early as last October,
conferences between the operators
and miners In order TO facilitate
either q new or extended agreement
In order TO avoid any suspension
of production when April / ar-
rived. At that time the mine
workers declined TO confer, though
the operators were agreeable. the
mine workers excusing their declina-
ton on the ground that the union
officials could have no authority
to negotiate until after their annual
convention.
Strike Made Nation.wide.
A short time prior to the expira-
ton Of the working agreement the
mine workers invited conference
with the operators in the central
competitive field. covering the
states Of Pennsylvania. Ohio. Indi-
ana, and Illinois. and In spite Of
the union declination OF the Gov
ernment's informal suggestion for
the conferences, five months before.
the Government. Informally but
sincerely, commended the confer
ence, but Il was declined by certain
groups OF operators, and the coal
mining controversy ended In the
strike of April 1. II was instantly
made nationwide. 30 far as the
orranized mine workers could con-
troll, and included many districts In
the bituminous field where there
was neither grievance nor dispute.
and effected a complete tie-up of
the production In the anthracite
field.
II Is TO be noted that when the
suspension began large stocks OF
local were on hand. mined at wages
higher than those paid during the
war. there was only the buying i'm
PEELED by necessity. and there was
"a belief that coal must yield to the
postwar readjustment. When the
stocks on hand began to reach such
ldiminution as to menace industry
and hinder transportation, approxi-
mately June 1, overtures were initi-
ated by the Government In the hope
OF expediting settlement. None of
these awaited. Individual and dis
Itrict tenders of settlement on the
part Of operators--in some instances
appeals for settlement--were wholly
The dominant groups
among the operators were insistent
on having district agreements; the
dominant mine workers were de.
mandIng a nationwide settlement.
The Government being without au-
thority to enforce strike settle.
ment In the coal Industry. could
only volunteer its good offices In
finding a way OF adjustment.
Conference Of Parties Called.
Accordingly. a conference of the
coal operators associations and the
general and district officials Of the
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