Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-07-11
Factions Delay Answers

|
All representatives of the groups
concerned had tonight delayed defin-
lite answers to the proposal, although
union officials informed the president
they had no power to give acceptance
or refusal, but would summon the
general policy committee of the Unit
ed Mine Workers of America here
Saturday to consider the matter
A day of conferences at the White
House and at other Offices with Sec
| retaries Hoover, Fall and Davis, and
. Attorney General Daugherty partici-
! pating was taken to bring matters to
this stage.
Alfred NJ. Ogle, chairman of the
Bituminous Operators Group, indicat-
ed that his associates considered an
arbitration plan they had offered last
week, for district settlements, 1.-THE
best and fairest way" to get the mines
open, but John L. Lewis, president of
the union classed this "as obsolete in
the light of the presidents proposals"
Anthracite operators, although their
committee was three times at the
White House. maintained silence.
Both bituminous and anthracite
sections of the general conference Of
the coal industry had indicated a
deadlock today before President
Harding brought forward the arbitra-
ton plan. The government concern
ed with coal production sufficient to
meet the industrial and transportation
requirements Of the country" he said
desired to have production resumed"
He proposed that mine workers should
return on the old wage scale and that
q commission of five representatives
of the public, three of the miners and
three of the operators should fix be-
fore August tenth, temporary basic
wage scale to be held in effect until
March /, 1923. If it's deliberations
should not result in a scale by August
10, the President further suggested
that the wage levels at the time work
was stopped should continue until a
new scale was ready.
In addition the commission propos-
ed, the President said, should 'inves-
tigate eXhaustivcly every phase of the
coal industry" and reveal every cost
of production and transportation"
Congress would be asked, it was add
cd, to make appropriations to finance
and authorize it's word.
81 have taken this shot cut to the
resumption of operations because
believe it is in the interest of the pub
lie welfare" the President concluded,
when two great forces do not agree
there must be peaceful way to adj
justment and such arbitrations open
the way"
He enjoined all participants to give
the proposal consideration in separate
conferences nd this was done immedi-
ately. The miners formulated their
temporary answer in a letter explain
ing that the national Offices and dis
trict presidents called Into the meet
ing were without the authority to
render definite judgement upon your
several suggestions and are in no
manner authorized to bind members
Of the United Mine Workers Of Amer
lea with respect TO your recommends
TONS
John T.. Lewis. president Of the
union. said the officers would not dis
cuss tn recommendation they might
make to the full policy committee.
which has 12s members. but explained
that it had full power to act.
Chairman Ogls. after various DELHI
eratiops with his associates. the Bit
luminous operators. declared that the
general arbitration plan had not been
voted upon and that an answer to the
President might be delayed.