Evening journal., 1922-07-10
COAL Miners
ORDEREDBACK
Pending new
wage SCALE
Continued From First Page.


time It Is said that the commission
would be able to make a complete
report on condition in the indusry
so that more or less OF a permanent
scale could be agreed upon.
The proposal from one viewpoint
Is a victory for the striking miners
as the commission 20 be appointed
would draw up a national wage
scale. Il was indicated. The oper-
ators have been insisting on Sec
tional wage agreements.
The President said the commits
sion would make recommendations
looking toward the establishment
and maintenance OF industrial peace
in the coal industry and the elm
nation OF waste due 20 intermittepcy
and instability" and would suggest
plans for a dependable fuel supply.
II also would seek exact production
and transportation cost figures, the
President said.
Harding stated that he was act
ing in the public interest which de-
manded that such questions be sub
mitted 10 peaceful settlement
through arbitration.
The operators also called a oon-
ference shortly after leaving the
White House TO consider the Presi-
dents proposal.
President Harding's speech 10 the
conference OF operators and miners
follows;
The information has come TO me
that your conference Is deadlocked,
or. at the best unable TO agree on
plans which will require extended
time to work out. have said here
tofore that the Government requires
you who are parties 10 the dispute
10 settle It among yourselves because
you best understand all the problems
involved.
The government cannot settle It
for you. It viii force no man TO
work against his free will, Il will
force no man to employ men against
the free exercise OF an employers
rights. The government will not be
partisan and the government Is con-
cerned with coal production sufici-
ent 10 meet the industrial and trans
portation requirements OF the coun-
try and at the same time against
fuel famine when winter comes
again, and It is desired 10 have pro-
duction resumed at once.
Your government does desire 10
be helpful. With such a thought
I submit TO you the fol-
lowing proposal:
Mine workers are to return 10
work on the scale OF wages which
expired last March 81 and mines
now Idle because OF strike or sus-
pended operation to resume actlvi-
ties without interference with activi-
ties OF mines now working. The 1922
scale 10 be effective until August 1 0.
1922.
The coal commission 10 be created
at once consisting Of three members
by the mine workers, three
members selected by the mine op-
orators and five members TO be
named by the President. All de-
cisions by this commission shall be
accepted as final.
This commission 10 determine II |
possible, within thirty days from to-
lay. for the miners TO strike a tenn |
Dorary basic wage scale which scale |
hall be effective until March /, 1923. |
In event that the commission IS un-
lble TO report Its scale by August l 0. /
L shall have power 20 direct continu- /
ID work on 1922 scale. until super
.eding scale IS ready.
The commission shall investi-
rate exhaustively every phase OF
he coal industry. It shall reveal
very cost Of production and trans
,oration. The President will ask
congress to confer authority for the I
most thorough investigation and
make appropriations necessary to do |.
uch work. The commission shall
1ake recommendation looking TO
he establishment and maintenance
peace in the coal industry. the
of waste due to inter-
littency and instability and suggest
lans for dependable fuel supply.
Il have taken this short cut 10
resumption of operations because
believe il to be in the interest OF
ne public welfare. II is that simple
)rm OF adjusting disputes which
nswers the call of good conscious
nd a just civilization. When two
reat forces do not agree there must (
a peaceful way TO adjustment and {
lch an arbitration opens the way.
1 do not expect reply without due J
'nsideratiOn. Please take the pro-
osal conferences. 1 wish you to-
ppraise the situation, weigh your y
,sponsibilities and then answer this
roposal as you wish to be appraised i
American public opinion. I am
'eaking first OF all for the public .
lterest but I am likewise mindful n
the rights Of both workers and a
lerators. You are also an insepar- g
lie part OF that public interest. with
ie regard for all concerned, IL a
Ight 10 be easy to find a way TO A
sume activities and command thel n,
,proval OF the American public. q
Settlement OF the strike-volun- :.
~ or forced-is only a matter OF a..
.ys. Il was indicated today as op- =.
ators and miners resumed their 81
nferences and the administration
cretly prepared a plan of action. ii
President Harding and his observ-
s at the conference. Secretaries y
power and Davis. are now practi- &C
lly prepared TO meet the threat Sc
ing fuel shortage, steadily ap- a.
oaching the danger point. It is
derstood Attorney General Daugh- ei
~ has a new opinion for the di
esdent on how far the admins hi
ltion can 60 in protecting the M
bile interest" m