Norwich bulletin., 1922-07-18

Washington, July 7.-Bituminous coal uiino operators were invited" by Presi- dent Harding at the White House today -to return to your mine property and resume operations'' after they had re- piled to the presidents tender of arbitra- tion For settling the national coal strike with a collective offer to put their proper ty and their services at the disposal of the government "in this crisis" Speak ing as chairman of the group of operators after the White House conference, Alfred M. OEio said the employers would make the attempt to resume operations.
 Meanwhile. the miners union. through an adjournment sine die of it's controlling policy committee, made certain its refus- al 10 accept the arbitration proposal, and many of It's officials immediately left Washington. The bituminous operators were likewise not a unit in accepting the government arbitration proposal. but the president said that "a large majority of them. by unqualified acceptance, had giv- en him occasion to express my own and the public's gratitude"
 There were intimatlons in official clr- eles that all the implications of the de- cision to ask that the mines be opened had been fully considered by the govern ment and that there was a possibility that the protection of troops and the American flag would be furnished in dis lricts where men were willing to work, failing sufficient local safeguarding Employers generally held the view that some coal production would result in union fields in Pennsylvania and Ohio, if nowhere else. even though executives of ths non-union mines south of the Ohio river reported today that output was be- Inc cut of sharply through lack of trans Nrnn Fr ha
 A day and a night of almost continu- bus sessions did not suffice to make the bituminous employers a unit for accept tnce of the detailed arbitration proposals sf the government, even though anthra- tite operators last week had given quick lcceptance. On a final vote, a general letter. accepting the principle of arbitra- tion, and making the tender of mines and services. was agreed upon and pre- scnted to the president
 Operators Letter to President.
 Tn their letter to the president ex. piaining their situation the operators said:
 We have given most careful and thorough consideration to the proposa subnitted by you on July 10, supple mented by your statement of July Is and we are not only in entire accord with your plan to establish a genera tribunal to inquire into all the facts II our Industry and make recommendation for the solution of our fundamenta problem, but we urge that such a plai bs.-put into effect by you
 We also wish to remind you that w have already proposed the broad prin cirie of arbitration in our previous con ferences with the officials of the admin istration and with the representative of the miners. We still stand on tha broad principle and are in entire accorI .with you in that respect
 We dld have In mind. discussing witt you certain recommendations as to tn machinery to make an arbitration plai effective and to accomplish the resul which the country and you yourself de Eire.
 Tn view Of the contingencies tha confront us and the varying condition In the different coal producing district rf the country. our conference has de cided Co answer your proposal by dis tricts rather than as a whole, and " attach hereto statements of the position taken by the several districts represen; cd in the conference of operators sssem hied at your request in Washington.
 -AfI of the operators of your confer encs unite in supporting the prineipl of arbitration and collective bargsAnin and your high motives in calling us to Eether.
 And. finally. they say to you and { ehe Amer.>an people that each and ey srrone of them stands read yin this cris is Go put his property and his own ser Wees at your disposal and command a my Instance"
 A delegation consisting of fifteen op nrators took the message to the Whit House and after their visit statemen txplaining the procedure was given out aE we'll as the text of the presidents re rponse.
 The white House statement whic preceded a transcript of the president remarks to the operators follows:
 At five o'clock this afternoon, tn cpai operators made an extended verb; and written report to the president A cf them subscribed broadly to the DIT rosals to arbitrate.
 The majority of the districts repr, Eented In the conference accepted tt presidents proposal internationally.
 "A minority of the districts Joined the conference in subscribing to ii general principles of arbitration and co isetive Bargaining
 Presidsnt's Statement to Operators.
 President Harding's statement to Il operators was as follows:
 "Gentlemen. I have your decision. would not be frank If did not confe. a disappointment of your lack of unai lrity. To the large majority of yo who have pledged readiness 10 resuu Acrivity under the governments prop cal ] must express my own and Il puhiic's gratitude.
 -ETe have now reached a point, oy ing Go the refusal of mine workers ar the minority of yoar operators to a cept the proposed arbitration where ii rood oficez of the government in seel ing a vo.untariiy adjustment of the di p1te between mine operators and mi workers are without avail
 -I cannot permit you to depart wit out reminding you that coal Is a natio al -necessif- the amrle supply of whi, is sssr1f.al likewise 10 a common we fare and interstate commerce.
 The freedom of action on the pa os Inc workers and on the part Of q employers does not measure in impor sncc with ths. of public welfare and n rorai security. I therefore invite 7, to return to your mine properties al re-uue operation
 The delegates and employers from tl psscciations in Illinois, the southwest. a 1Irlory rspresentcd west of the Aissi