Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-08-14
END OF Mine STRIKE AT HAND: !.
OPERATORS OFFER OLD WAGE
SCALE IN HARD COAL FIELD
Mine Owners Yield to Insistence Of Harding to Try and
End Walkout and Offer Late Schedule Pending h-
ves6gatior Move Augms Well for Success Of Con-
ference Wednesday, Lewis.
BY Associated Press to Every Evening.

Philadelphia. Aug. 14--Samuei ID.
Warmer, president o, tho Lehish
Coal and Navigation Company. and
spokesman for tho Anthracite Coal
Operators. announced today that hs
had notified John l.. Lewis. president
Of the United Mine Workers. that the
mine owners were willing 70 resume
operations in tho hard coal fields at
the old wage scale. pending the sp-
pointment Of a commission to.investi-
gate the situation. In a telegram 20
the miners chief, Mr.. Warmer sug-
gested that conferences OF anthrs cits
operators and representatives Of ths
miners, be held in this city on We'd
nesday.
The President said that no time was
TO be lost in getting the men back
In the mines. and that n mining was
not resumed at once, "tbe future con-
sequences Of past delays must neces-
sarily be serious. But. II there is any
further delay we shall be in danger
Of nothing short Of nationwide dl.-'
ester"
President Harding suggested that
the operators take the men back at
the wage scale in effect on March 81.
1922. when the suspension began. ''un-
/ I'll a commission or other agency has
had an opportunity to examine into
/ the whole situation"
! Mr. warriner, I'm his telegram TO Mr..
/ Lewis said that the operators had
been moved TO extend the invitation
/ for a conference, mot merely by our
own desires but because the President
Of the United States has commune
Gated his wish that we should do 80
and Of his hope that you will accept"
The telegram said:
"On behalf OF the anthracite opera
tors I extend 20 you a cordial invita-
ton to meet us In conference with A
view 20 an early resumption OF pro-
duction in the anthracite field. ! sug-
gest Philadelphia as a suitable placs
for conference and August IS az -
convenient time.
Our conception OF the conferences IS
that we should meet for the friendly
/ discussion OF tho whole situation, in-
Icluding such specific proposals A.
either Of us may desire to submit We
are glad, however, to express, in adj
!. va nee, our confident expectation that
: we can devise in conferences a method
) of wage adjustment, such as, agreeing
to 1t. we shall be able then to take
the men back at the old wage scale
s until such adjustment actually takes
J place
!, Let me assure you that our invita-
: ton Is sent without any underlying
: reservation or conditions. and in full
assurance that when we meet we can
y v{uo
: of the public interest nd satisfactory
5 to the mine workers. We bespeAk your
2 acceptance in the same spirit"
{ President Harding's letter to Sena-
tor Pepper follows:
$ "I am told that Mr. Lewis has in
: dicated willingness to confer at once
e with the anthracite operators in case
: they invite him to do 80. 1 suggest
( 70 you, as the senator from the. stat
most directly concerned, that this
{ operators will be acting in the public
$ interest IL they promptly send him
{ a cordial invitation 10 attend a con-
n ference TO be called by them at such
e time and place as they may choose
e with a view TO the immediate resump-
ton OF production in the anthracite
fields. I feel justified in making thi.
suggestion. because these opera tors
have manifested throughout a spiri,
of cooperation with the administra-
ton in seeking a fair basis upon which
u to adjust the anthracite strike.
"1 understand that as bisis o.
:. conference Mr.. Lewis stipulates for
~ return of the men at the old wag,
= scale and the acceptance by The
operators of the so-called Shamokir
= proposals. In extending their invi
q tation 1 hope the operators viii indi
cate a willingness to take the mer
back at the old scale till a commission
or other agency has had an op
portunity to examine into the who'll,
situation. AS to the Shamokin pro
posals. l am hopeful that Mr.. Levi
y VIII regard them as proper for con
y sideration at the conference rathe
= than subjects of commitment IN ad
- vance. l am hopeful for this becaus
=. 1 credit both operators and miner
= with a sincere desire 10 resume an
, ,hraclte production. and I am sur
. that neither Will place any unneces
= sary obstacle in the way Of their ad
journment.
:, Continued on page