South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-16
MINERS REFUSE
.HARDING'S PLAN
OF ARBITRATION
I MON Policy Committee
Unanimously Adopts Re
ply Written by Lewis.
EXPECTS NEW PROPOSAL
Labor Leaders Claim Only
Part of Operators Are
Ready to Arbitrate.

WASHINGTON. July 15-tBy a.
P)-Coal mine workers whose walk
out IN the anthracite region ana IN
the unionized bituminous fields has
crippled the nations coal produo-
tion since April /. fatty refused to-
day through the officers and com
mitteemen Ct their union. 90 suomi.
their grievances to arbitration under
terms suggested 10y Pres't Hard
ing. They notified the president OF
their determination. received a re-
Spouse mentioning the respons. bilty
they had assumed and adjourned the
session Of their central controlling
committee, holding IT'S members in
the city. however. until Monday
Only a white house statement %
the effect that nothing would be
done until Monday when tho bitum-
nous employees are expected 10 re-
spOnd to the same arbitration pro
posal was available 10 indicate TIE
governments future policy. Anthra-
cite operators have formally accept
ed the presidents plan but blum
nous employers are known 10 be oil
vided- 1t was lnumated tonight that
at least one section OF them would.
IN addition 20 accepting coudItionalIy
the arbitration proposals. tender
their mines 20 the government for
operation, control or other disposi-
ton
one group in Pennsylvania IS ex-
pected to refuse the arbitration pro
posal and to continue TO attemDt To
operate mines Notwithstanding tho
strike, while the Ohio. Illinois. ana
Indiana operators are still discuss
ing their plans. The last. general
meeting Of the employers IN the BIZ
luminous industry viii be held here
at p. m. Sunday.
Policy Committee Meets.
/ TOday's proceedings Of the policy
/ committee Of the United Mine Work
/ ems, with 15O-odd union spokesuen
attending. went forward Ike clock
work on the plan laid down by John
Lewis, president OF the union. ano
other national officers. and plainly
/ forecast on previous days Recount
/ ing the history OF his negotiations
I
ployers. and expressing his dissatiss-
faction with the terms or the ar
bitration offer. Mr. Lewis. in execu-
tive session. offered a lengthy let
ter Of refusal Of the arbitration and
moved its adoption
Delegate after delegate behind tho
closed doors OF the executive ses-
sion gave his views; and James L.
Lord. vice president o. the Amsri-
can Federation Of Labor. in charge
OF the mining division OF the cen
trail union body. sat with them Ths
vote IN the end for the adoption OF
the letter was unanimous
The scale committee OF the union
for the anthracite section, at an ear
lier meeting. refused for themselves
TO accept the arbitration orrsr but
Joined with the general policy com
mittee deliberations
withhold Acceptance.
For substantial reasons tbs rep
/ resentatives OF the United Nine
Workers are compelled % withhold
/ their acceptance Of the arbitration
proposals submitted by you. tie .st-
ter 20 the president said in part
/ The mine workers desire 20 point
out that the coal operators who have
I ben IN attendance a. the recent con
ferences assembled By you and 20
whom you have submitted ths plan
| for arbitration OF the coal strike
are only partially representative Of
/ the producing interests affected b.
/ the present suspension Of mining
+ operators representing nearly SO per
! cent OF the tonnage ln strike fields
/ where production 81 stopped. have
nOt been in attendance and We have
no information that the proposed
/ plan OF arbi trarton has been submit
ted 10 them Dy any governmental
agency
We are further advised that thsss
( interests have no intention OF com
/ Ing within the purvtew or the pro-
/ visions Of your plan OF adjustment.
Under such cfrcu instances . * futf.e
70 believe any general settlement can
7 be made. Il IS manifestly unfair TO
attempt 10 exact from the mine
workers representative commit
ment 20 an arbitration plan. while
az the same time powerful operating
I interests employing hundreds OF