Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-15
COAL CONFERENCES
END IN DEADLOCK
Unions Reject Terms and oper-
ators Refuse to Proceed Unless
\ Miners Agree to Arbitration
STRIKE BELIEVED IMMINENT
BY the Associated Press

New York. June 15.-The break in
the wage scale ncgntintions between the
United Mine Workers and the anthra-
cite coal operators appeared irrcparable
today as the union members prepared
to leave for their homes. That the
suspension of the hearings means that
real strike will take the place OF the
present suspension of work was the
opinion of both sides of the controversy.
"There is no prospect of another
meeting between our people and the
operators" said Thomas Kennedy,
president Of District No. of the United
Mine Workers a. IIaZleton, Pa. Il am
leaving for home today, and the other
union men here will probably be gone
by tonight
Mr.. Kennedy said that tho mex. move
was up to the coal operators. but that
he did not expect any more proposals
from that end.
eve will await the outcome of the
strike vote, which will be completed the
I'D Of this month" Mr.. Kennedy add
ed, "and report on the vote at Wilkes
Barre on the Goth. "
Between 1JO. 900 and 175,000 miners
are out now. The strike of maintenance
men, 5000 of whom are on duty pro-
tecting the mining properties, would
place millions of dollars worth of coal
properties in jeopardy through water
seepage and other dangers.
The union delegates at the meeting
yesterday refused to entertain a pro-
posal from the operators that the entire
wage controversy be submitted to arbi-
tration Of committee appointed by
President Harding. The conference
then adjourned without future date
when the operators refused TO negO-
taSa f,.r
ton basis.
Washington. June 15.--(By A. T. -
Coal operators and dealers complying
with the Administration plan for vol
untary price restraint during the pres
ent strike were here today to confer
with Secretary Hoover on steps for
bringing into line the minority In the
producing and distributing branches of
the industry who have failed 10 co -opcr-
ate in the plan.
Because of the non compliance Of the
operators aud dealers in some districts,
Mr.. Hoover said in explaining the ne
cessity for the conference, the average
spot prices for bituminous coal. after
declining from S3.GT 10 S3.0S ton
when the voluntary plan was put out,
had increased again on June II to So. II.
The conference flso, Mr.. Hoover said,
will consider the use by some operators
Of the maximum prices established under
the Administration 5 plan where this is
not warranted by cost of the production.
Cincinnati. June 15.-lBy A. PD--
Asserting the Illinois coal operators
had not been treated fairly in negotia
tions looking to settlement of the coal
strike. Frank Harrington. president Of
the United Mine Workers of Illinois.
expressed the belief that mine owners
Of his State would 60 along with any
reasonable plan for settlement of the
strike" His statement followed receipt
of report from Chicago stating that
the Illinois operators had refused 10
enter into conference with operators OF
other States.
Mr.. harrington said that on two pre- .
vious occa sions the Illinois E,in9 >wners
had agreed to attend con.clenCes. but
on both occasions the proposed meeting
was called off by President John L..
Lewis, Of the United Mine Workers.
after Pittsburgh operators had refused
to join in the movement
Mr.. Harrington said he had not been
advised Of any plans President Lewis
night have in mind for settlement of the
strike. but we have our hats in our
nanOS ready TO go any p!aCe VT. Lewis
suggests for conference with the
operators he added The mine owners
Of his State. Mr.. Harrington said. had
repeatedly invited the Illinois miners
to confer, but the miners had refused to
meet them except on III" basis of a
four State representation. In justice 10
the Illinois operators, he said, they
should be- consulted in all moves for a
strike settlement conference
Harrisburg. June 15.-COal miners
and operators of Pennsylvania are eSti ..
mated to have lost S14J ,0SO. 232 by the
present coal strike in figures issued to-
day by DR.. c. 3. Connelley. State
Commissioner Of Labor and Industry
after a study of reports to the depart
ments mediation bureau The figures
date from April ! and mr." from orig
inal sources They are based ON An
average daily wage of 50 for each miner
and an average cost Of maintaining thn
mines while idle to the operators nf
500. 900 n day. counting ffty-s -sovrn
and one half working days during
April. May and June.
A total OF 322 sos men are involved
in the str.ke. l79,2SG in the bitumnou~
and 143 $50 in the anthracite fields
according 70 the figures which were
compiled after a survey Of every cOlIierv
and district of the State by mediators
in the bureau