The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-03-02
|PITTSBORGHCOAL
|NEN NOT TO JOIN
In CONFERENCE
Ohio Operators May Also
Refuse to Negotiate
in New York
NO CHANGES HERE
U. S. Steel May Become
Factor in Western
Pennsylvania
No Changes HERE

Few new developments have
been noted in the bituminous coal
situation. There is some doubt in
the minds OF many whether the
conference between the operators
of the central competitive field and
the officials Of the United Mino
Worekrs Of America IN New oYrk
called by Secretary Of Labor Davis,
will materialize. According L. re-
ports current II is a question
whether the operators Of Western
Pennsylvania will join in the con-
ference. In fact 1t is reported they
will not. The attitude of the Ohio
operators is not clear, but there are
prospects that they will not join
either in a conference.
On the other hand the operators
Of Indiana and Illinois show a will
ingness to meet and negotiate an
Interstate contract, or at least
they are more inclined toward a
conference than the operators OF
Western, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
To what extent the government
will take a hand in the situation
Is a matter OF conjecture. Some
persons are OF the opinion that the
matter will be fought out and it
will not interfere in the least.
Then too there Is an opinion rap
idly developing that the govern
ment on behalf of the matses will
force some kind OF a settlement and
stay a general coal strike. The
miners are making the claim that
the existing agreement is violated
in that the operators have failed
to meet the officials In a joint con-
ference to set a basic wage scale
before the present, agreement, ex-
pires. There isyan. element too that
believes that d coeI stfiIIe can be
ayerted. As it stands now the stu
alton isscomplex and unsettled.
Outlying districts on the other
hand are entirely at sea, being
placed in'such' a position that they
have no opportunity to negotiate a
wage scale even IL they should de.
sire to.
The situation in the greater por-
tion OF the Fairmont region is un-
changed, but as yet no doors have
been closed toward negotiation
with the miners should they de-
eide to obtain one. The officials Of
the miners are sitting back and
are making every effort not to
muddy the waters"
In the meantime in this field the
miners are holding elections to de-
eide by referendum whether or not
they decide general suspension.
1t is claimed that the miners are
voting to strike almost to the man.
The operators are placed in a posi-
ton where their hands are tied
and yet may have a general sus-
pension thrust upon them. The
miners say that they will insist
upon the check.off in any future
agreements as has been the custom
in the past
For some time 1t Is rumored that
the United States Steel corpora
tion is a factor in the scrap in
Western Pennsylvania. The Nor
gantown New Dominion today
prints the following along this
line:
"There is another rumor which is
gaining ground throughout the GEN.
tral competitive field which hints
Of a merger Of various coal con-
Germs in the Western Pennsylvania
field. This rumor, which is not of
ficial, but which comes from re-
liable sources, is TO the effect that
the United States Steel Corpora.
ton has gained control OF the
Pittsburgh Coal company as well as
a number Of smaller Independent
concerns in the district, giving the
big steel combine control OF the
coal industry in the lower Monon-
gahela valley.
''In addition. It Is said that a
similar control is being sought in
the Allegheny valley and though It
is not supposed to be by the same
parties It is generally conceded to
be parties at least friendly" to
the United States Steel company.
Coal men point TO the fact that
the United States Steel company
has shown its position repeatedly
on closed shop and 1t is taken as a
fact that II such a consolidation
is on foot as is reported the death
knell OF the miners union in the
big Pittsburgh district is about to
be sounded"