South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-11
LEADERS DELAY
REPLY
TO PRESIDENT
Government Plan Calls for I'M
mediate Resumption of
Work by Miners.
WOULD FIX WACELEvELS
Harding Declares Arbitra-
ton Is Short Cut 10 Peace
full Adjustment"

full Adjustment"
WASHINGTON. July I0.-CBy A.
P.)-Pres't Harding Monday placed
before leaders or employers and en-
ployes OF the anthracite and union
lied bituminous mine fields a gov
eminent Elan for settling the coal
strike. IL called for immediate re-
sumption of work by miners now
out at wage rates as az March 81
last. for fixing OF permanent wage
levels by arbitration and an in
vestigation for solution OF perman-
ent problem in coal industry.
All representatives concerned had
Monday night delayed definite ans
wers TO the proposals. although
union officials informed the Dresi-
dent they had no power 20 give ac-
ceptance or refusal but would sum-
mon the general policy committee
Of the United Mine Workers here
Saturday 20 consider the matter.
II was a day OF conferences at
the White House and at other Off
ces, with Secretaries Hoover Fall.
Davis and Atty. Gen. DauEhertv
participating
Ralph NJ. Ogle. chairman OF the
bituminous operators grour. indI-
Gated that his associates consid cred
an arbitration plan they had offered
last week for district settlement.
the best and fairest way. 70 get
the mines open, but L. Lewis.
president OF the union. classed this
as obsolete in the light OF the
presidents proposals"
Anthracite owners maintained
silence.
Follows Deadlock.
Both bituminous and anthracite
sections OF the general conference
at the coal industry had indicated
a deadlock Monday before Pres't
Harding brought forward the arbi-
tration plan. The government %
he said is concerned with coal
production sufficient 20 meet the IN
dustrial and factory requirements.
Of the country and desired 20 have
production resumed
He proposed that mine workers
should return on the old wage scale
and that commission OF FIVE repre-
sentatives OF the public, three OF
the miners and three OF the oper-
ators. should FIX before Aug. 10 a
temr orary basic schedule. II its
deliberations should not result IN a
scale by Aug. 10, the president
further suggested that the wage lev
els at the time work was stopped
should continue until a new scale
was ready
The action OF the committee pro-
posed. the president said 10 "in-
vestigate every section OF the coal
industry Congress would be asked.
If was added to make appropria-
tons 20 finance and authorize fts
work
Il have taken this short cut 20
the resumption Of operations be-
cause I believe II is in the interest
Of the public welfare. "He presi-
dent concluded when two great
forces do not agree. there must be
a peaceful way 70 adjustment and
such arbitration opens that wav."
He enjoined all participants 20
give the proposal consideration IN
separate conferences and this was
done Immediately. The miners for
mulated their temporary answer in
letter explaining that the nation
al officers and district presidents
called into the meeting were with
out the authority 10 render a dehn-
tie Judgment upon your several sug-
gestions and are in no manner
authorized 90 bind the members OF
the United Nine Workers Of Ameri-
ca with respect 10 our accommoda-
tons
Mr.. Lewis. president o. the union
said that the officers would not dis
cuss the recommendation they
might make 70 the fun policy COM
mittee. which has I2s members. but
explained that Il had full power TO
act.
Delay Answer.
Chairman OKIe. after various de-
alterations with his associates. the
bituminous operators. declared that
the general arbitration plan had not
been voted uTon and that an answer
70 the president might De delayed.
He declared that zone week ago.
the bituminous operators represent
ed had submitted a program Of ar
bitrat.on BY district 20 the miners
union officials which we consd-
cred the fairest and best possible
and 81 had been refused
1T IS utterly Impossible that one
board can consider the dif7cuIt posi-
tions IN the hitum,nous field" ne
said in statement 20 newspaper
men. 10 make up a wage scale in
any reasonable time. That IS why
we have 30 many boards of arbitra-
ton 20 consider differences IN dis
tricts where they arise. B-uminous
coal is mined all the way from the
state OF Washington 90 Alabama
We think the only way 20 arbitrate
Is 70 have the arbit-ators sitting
there
He further criticised The union Of
fcials FOR their decla ration thai
they did not have power % give the
president an answer without the
vote OF the policy committee. This
drew a retort from Mr. Lewis who
said he and his associates had made
their poe-tfou clear from, The start