The New York herald., 1922-07-13
PEACE IN COAL WAR
ISDRAWNG NEARER
Both Sides Prepared to Ac-
cept Presidents Offer
in Principle.
WANT ISSUES CLEARED
Operators Insist on Scale
That Will Assure Fuel
Being Cheaper.
LEWIS AND DAVIS MEET
Mine Leader Says Decision
Should Affect Whole In
dustry, Not Groups.
LEWIS AND DAVIS MEET


dent Harding's proposal for commit
tee settlement of the problems and dis
puted points involved.
Operators and miners feel, however
that the President should elaborate
the program and clear up features OF
the proposal on which they claim a
doubt as to the exact meaning or in
depreciation.
Representatives of the anthracite
operators to-day formally accepted the
Presidents proposal. They visited the
White House and submitted state
ment accepting in full all of the prin-
ciples laid down by the President, but
making the suggestion that the an
thracite industry be treated sepa-
rately by separate tribunal or com
mission. They asked ampliflcation of
the Presidents proposal to provide.
First-A wage scale that. while
adequate. would reduce the price Of
coal.
Second-A durable agreement
which would provide for future set
Elements.
Third-That decision be made on
or before August 10
Old Scale Ineffective.
The anthracite men assert that with
wages on the old scale or indefinite
they cannot sell the products. They
n rA 20 tha NtI Il F1v n
time. but are willing to accept If there
is definite limit to the time in which
it will prevail
President Lewis Of the United Mine
Workers in conference to-day with
Secretary of Labor Davis asked .
Qualification OF. points in the Presidcuts
proposal. The mine workers will ask
the President to modify his propose
so as to guarantee that any decision
reached shall apply to all coal operators
in the country. Union representatives
also are seeking a guarantee that the
putting In of the old scale shall apply
to the thousands of non-union miners
who quit work in sympathy with the
strike. AS they were never paid the
union scale, which Is much higher. scant
disposition to agree to this is expected
from the operators
In their formal answer to the Presi-
dent the anthracite operators, after ex-
pressing appreciation Of the President
action and willingness to cooperate
stated
THE anthracite operators further
agreed that all such matters as the
President might determine were perth
nent to the questions in controversy
concerning wages and conditions of
employment should be considered by
- %,-tb 4.
appointed. and agreed to abide by and
faithfully to carry out it's decision or
award"
OFFER suggestions.
1t was added that the anthracite OPP
orators believe that amplification of the
Presidents proposal Is desirable tc
the end that settlement shall be speedily
reached, shall be permanent in charac-
ter and shall be binding upon both sides
The anthracite men told the Execu-
tive they had striven In negotiations OF
several months which had failed to get
a wage scale which was adequate and
which would meet conditions and in
sure employment, and an agreement
which would be durable and avoid fu-
ture .difficulties. They then suggested
that
First Because oe the wide difference
In the problems that confront the an.
thracite and the bituminous industries
| 1t is practically impossible for one com.
mission to study and decide the ques-
tions In controversy within reasonable
period Of time. OF necessity they must
be studied separately If the prompt ad'
Indication that all interests desire Is tc
be obtained.
"rhe anthracite business has nc
- -
employment. 1t is already stabilized
and has maintained fun time employ
ment OF the mine workers. It's mining
conditions are entirely different from
those in the bituminous field, and 1t Il
a manufacturing as well az a minin,
industry It's product N mainly do
mestic, not manufacturing fuel.
Because OF these conditions. we fee
that II Is necessary for separate com
mission to be designated by yoursel
to consider our problems. and we TAX
the liberty Of suggesting that such com
mission should be, so far as possible
non-partisan, not more than one mem
ber representing the operators and on
the miners, and not less than three Z
be appointed by yourself as representa-
tive OF the public.
"Second--The anthracite operator
cannot escape the conviction that hi
reestablishment of the scale of wage
In effect from April 1. 1920, to Marc
81 1922, even as temporary expedien
will embarrass rather than assist tn
effort to restore normal conditions.
THE demand from the public for dc
creased prices OF anthracite is lmpera
tive. Anthracite Is the only essentis
commodity which has not been debate
In price and the continuance of preser
prices will undoubtedly impede the dis
tributon OF the product. which shoul
be prompt and uninterrupted on n
resumption of mining
'Third--We respectfully submit ths
a recurrence OF the present unfortunat
situation will not be prevented by III
establishment OF only a temporary was
scale expiring In March 1929 A r.