Evening star., 1922-07-07
HOPE STILL SEEN
IN COAL PARLEYS
Anthracite Operators and
Union Men Continue Con-
ferences Here.

Continuation today OF the confer
ences between the anthracite coal mine
operators and union representatives
was taken as an indication of hope
Of reaching an agreement through
the conference called by President
Harding to consider methods Of Sc
curing a resumption of work in the
coal industry. Neither side, however.
would give out a statement as to the
trend of developments on adjourn
ment of yesterdays meeting. which
was said to have been without definite
results.
IN the meantime, the bituminous
strike situation, negotiations in
which have been deferred until Mon
day, is pressing itself more and more
upon the attention Of officials as to
the matter of the public's coal supply.
Concern is felt over the present cur
tailment of shipments for the north
west, failure to receive the usual coal
supply transported by the great lakes
in summer, 1t Is said, raising the pos
sibility of congested railroads next
winter. Another area in which a
pinch Is said to have developed Is In
northern New York, which usually at
this season is being supplied with a
winter store of hard coal by coast
wise shipping.
Anthracite Men Recess.
A lengthy session between anthra-
cite coal mine operators and union rep
resentatiyes at the Interior Department
broke up yesterday afternoon without
definite results being accomplished, but
with an agreement on the part OF the
participants to meet again at o'clock
this afternoon. Only the notlhcation
that sessions would be continued today
was given to indicate the trend OF opin-
ion among anthracite negotiators. Sec
retary Fall took part in the conference,
but left before its conclusion.
At all prior meetings employers have
stood firmly for a reduction in wage
scales, rendering arbitration through
President Harding to determine the
amount, while tho union representatives.
offering to negotiate on the basis Of
wage scales existing March IL, have re-
fused to consent to reductions, and have
made demands for modification OF prior
contracts.
the bitun,inous strike situation have
been deferred until Monday, after Presi-
n1ent Harding's return. government
views of the matter were made avail
able in part through semi-omcaal ais
cussion. In the matter OF the pupncs 3
veioned. # was said, one in the north
west. to which large portion OF coal
20 usually transported by the great
iakas in summer and the other IN nortn-
arn New England. whence anthracite Is
borne by coastwise shipping.
Eight Regions Urged.
IT was authoritatively intimated that
tho government had suggested TO oitu-
,,o,nons miners and operators in the con-
farances now adjourned scheme OF
ovoidiy,pr the seeming impasse raised by
81 en,n,6yers' insistence Upon district
,ro oe acaie negotiations and the miners
Ss,esrS for a national wage scale. The
Man involves the setting up OF eight
reg,ons- each consisting OF severai OF
the existing coal district orgamzatons
NJ onerators and union miners, WIN
senarate negotiations In eacn. Ltde
s,nnnrt has sbeen evidenced IN tne M
dustry. it was declared, Tor the propo-
sition an made.
:. The miners spokesmen, 1t was also IN
a,cated were inclined to be resentfui in
.the n,seffnr concerning the present semi
sns,arnmental plan, controlled by Secre-
fsrv Hoover. Of holding maximum prices
SoT the non-union bituminous coal now
being mined at below $s.so IN mose
districts. ~. $500
ress to date, In attempts 70 set Ine
uuionixed portion OF the mining in1us-
trv to work by the conference metnod.
will be nut before the PRESIDENT upon
his return from Ohio. No ngnt was
she'd upon the direction in which rur-
& arl ,adniiriStrat:on policies IN the mae-
IA III SHIT be directed. 4