New-York tribune., 1922-07-02
Coal Factions
HeedW arnine
OF President
Anthracite andBituminOus
Peace Parlcys Organize
as Harding Declares US.
Will Protect Consumer

F-or, Thr Trib.n,'s Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, July IA virtual
command from President Harding TO
the mine operators and workers to
recognize their obligations TO the
American public ard end the strife
between them, followed By more than
six hours OF joint conferences in an
effort TO find basis for discussion of
wage scales. marked the first day Of
government intervention in the mine
war. Nothing but pure preliminarios
were gone over az the two executive
sessions. attended by about fifty prin-
clpals representing both sides, which
followed their meeting with Mr.. Hard
ing in the White House executive Of
ices. Under the whip Of three members
Of the Cabinet. Secretary OF Commerce
Hoover. Secretary oi Labor Davis and
Secretary Of tho Interior Fall, the
bituminous conferocs will go TO the
mat again tomorrow afternoon with
the hope Of reaching an agreement
carly next week on how they shall APP
proach their immediate rroblcm-re-
opening Of the mines.
The anthracite and bituminous men,
il was decided. should confer in yep
arate conferences. The hard coal men
will meet on Thursday 20 consider a
Of 10 ~ tho lr
district.
Cabinet Chiefs Optimistic
Although nothing was disclosed o.
wha. happened at the long meetings
to-day AT the Department OF Interior.
and later in the auditorium Of the Red
Cross national headquarters. following
their dismissal By the President, tho
three Cabinet secretaries expressed
genuine optimism over the prospects.
Accepting the suggestion made by the
President in his address that differ
cnces arc more often magrihed than
composed in their parading." both op-
orators. representatives and labor lead
crs maintained strict silence on the
results OF the days deliberations.
Progress is made every time We get
something out Of cur systems said
Secretary Hoover. lie declined 20 dis
cuss the conference further, but laugh
ingly indicated that "Old Sol" played
an important role. II was probably
the hottest day Washington has cx-
rericnced this year.
There was a strong irtimation In a
statement from Secretary Davis that
the days work had brought the confer
ence to the point where it would soon
be ready 10 enlarge" that the
operators and miners would get down
tc the real business before them within
a day or two. In this connection il Is
understood that when they start talk
ing wages additional operators will be
called to Washington from the various
fields.
President Gives Warning
The delegates sent here by the two
factions in response 10 Presiden, Hard
ing's invitation began assembling az
the White House as early as $3.50 this
morning. At 10 o'clock they were
ushered into the Executives private
Office. In an address Of only few
minutes Mr. Harding told them that
the government has no desire 20 in
trude itself into the field OF your Ac-
tivities" and preferred that they should
settle this matter in a frank recog-
nition OF the mutuslity Of your inter
csts" There was great significance,
however. In his warning that III you
cannot do that. then the larger pub
lie interest must be asserted in the
name Of the people where the common
good is the first and highest concern y
Another high point in the Presidents
address was:
Labor has III. right. capital has the
right. and. above all else, the Ameri.
can public has the right TO be freed
from these recurring anHieties. no mat
ter what the causes are. That freedom
must oc established
Uader al agreement announced 10
the delegates by Mr. Harding, Presi.
dent A. VI. Ogle. OF the National Coal
fceetnusd or sent p.s,l