Putnam patriot., 1922-08-11

The miners should return to work 1n the scale of wages which expired last March 3lst, this scale to be effect i Ive uatil August 10. 1929. 1 Coal i Commission would be created. with three members selected by the United ! Mine Workers. three by the operators. and five by the President This eom- mission should determine. f possible within thirty days. a district basic wage scale, this scale Co be effective until March 23, 1923. In event the Commission was not able to report its scale by August 10th, it should have power to direct continuation of work on the 1902 scale until The supersed- ing scale is ready
 The mine workers, while approving a comprehensive investigation of the entire industry. replied on July 18th, rejecting the plan for arbitration.
 The anthracite operators. on July i4th. accepted the Presidents propos- al in toto. On July i7th, the bitamin- ous operators replied, q majority ae- eepting the plan in toto, but minor ity. representing four districts, deelin- ing
 The day following the receipt of the operators reply. the President ad- dressed a telegram to the Governors of the 2s coal-producing states. ask ing them to encourage the opening of the mines and afford the necessary protection, and pledging every assist ance of the federal government.
 Outstanding Issues
 IL is plainly evident. from the ne xotistion. in Washington, ss we'll ss from what preceded them, that the question of wages Is not the main issue tn the controversy between the oper- ators and the United Mine Workers of America On the contrary. the main issue deals with the basis upon which operators shall deal with miners, both as 10 wages and conditions of work. From the beginning the United Mine Workers have eontended for negotia- tions upon a national basis. he meth cd for carrying this out is agreement between operators and mine workers as to wages and conditions in what is known as the Central Competitive Field. comprising the mining districts n Western Pennsylvsnia. Ohio. lndi- ana. and Illinois. Wages and eondi- tions in other fields throughout the country would be adjusted in accord suee with the agreement for the Cen tral Competitive Field. The operators. on the other hand. in view of different mining and living conditions. contend for separate working agreements by districts, or al most by states. he mine workers have refused and are still refusing either to confer or to consent to arbitration upon anything less than s national basis This Is exi- dent from reports as to efforts by gov crnors following the appeal 10 them from the President to bring about con ferrncrs between minr workers and operators by states. he mine work. CTS wherever this is heinz attempted refn ta confer because af the stand made by the United Mine Workers of America. for tional basis of ad iustment
 Closely rai4ici To the desire af th, United Nne Workers to preserve th, Central Competitive Field as b8-.. national =svaee agreements tt policy of the United Mine MntAals E. ureine complete uniauizatfaft If tlt Jod industry At hearings n Wash tneteH ii March and April ef thf-zyraI before Congressional Committee Mr Lewis. President of Che Gnfe Mine Nofkers. statci as follows .Fo tHa reasons pointed out. it clear cha there c1u be mo permanent soiutio. of tbe coal industry without eomplsr uaina.zatian of Che industry
 ts tHa same hearings Mir IHN maala the following statement Wit' fatareace to standardization If th .a.I industry And so T. is That lh. H#HEsa say tha HsH# #a .scs l1 te n1 hope eNeeat tatua- aH7.i#HaH. \1 feH#as His bee. 0feH@I hE sHe operators. and ia 5e fu5 a other remedy the a. NJ suggest ssat tHae eIaH5 1gkg uNrt agt operate ta.
 mines N do mol da ea- thfaa
 tIIzz.aus 1r W4uL1a sHIII-- h. al1a aa IusIIe to l1tuca-l taking l remezI#4Hie steps u any direction Ba we st. Ihatt is inevitable thaf sooa,' af l.ste#H eastrumtnt must t.iss. sa. -sep 4 aauani at.ea, hee4ase N. hass H#all1= =e4eeu up all aaHe ef A. hrf frnnl thu operators. aud carVlnlt is Ne ana that it is a stop ln the et.