Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1922-07-14
COAL STRIKERS
GET PROPOSAL
SCHEME WOULD HAVE MINERS
RETURN TO WORK AT OLD
WAGE SCALE
Suggests Procedure Looking 10 VI.
Innate Adjustment OF Wage and
Working Condition OF
All Parties

Washington. President Harding
submitted Monday TO the bituminous
and anthracite operators and miners
gathered here in conference proposal
that the miners return to work at the
wage scale In existence when WORK
was suspended on April and con-
tinue to work on that scale until Aug
ust 10, meanwhile an arbitration
board being appointed TO negotiate
new wage scale.
The arbitration commission would
be expected to have its award ready
by August 10, but II unable to arrange
"A new scale by that date, the scale
which expired April / would be con-
tinued from August 10 to April l..
1923.
President Harding's proposals were
put before the operators and miners
union officials In the form of let
ter and both sides In the bituminous
industry left the White House TO con-
slider them at separate meetings. Tho
anthracite operators and miners re-
NAMED. however.
In outlining his proposal for gov,
eminent arbitration. President Hard
ing said:
The information has come to me
that your conference is deadlocked,
OF, at the best, attempting to agree on
plans which will require extended time
to work out I have said heretofore
that the government prefers you who
are parties to che dispute should set
tie Il among yourselves, because you
best understand all the problems in
volved. The government cannot set
tie II for you. 1t will force no man
20 work against his free will, II will
force no man to employ men against
the free exercise of an employers
rights. The government will not be
partisan. but the government 10 con-
cerned with coal production sufficient
10 meet the Industrial and transpor.
tation requirements OF the country
and to safeguard against q fuel fam.
Inc when winter comes again, and 1,
10 desired to have production resumed
ut once.
"Yor government does desire to bs
helpful"
The commission then was outlined
and the president continued:
"The commission shall investigate
exhaustively every phase of the coal
industry. II shall reveal every cost OF
production. The president will ask
congress TO confer authority for thr
most thorough investigation and make
appropriations necessary to do sucf
work. The commission shall make
recommendation looking to the or
Enlistment and maintenance of indus
trial peace In the coal industry, the
elimination of waste due to intermit.
tency and Instability, and sugges'
plans for dependent fuel supply.
IL have taken this short cut to d
resumption of operations because
believe II TO be In the interest OF the
public welfare. II Is that simple form
of adjusting disputes which answers
the call of good conscience and Just
civilization. When two great forces
do not agree there must be peace
full way 10 adjustment and such m
arbitration opens the way.
II do not expect reply without tho
due consideration. Please take tn,
proposal to separate conferences.
wish you to appraise the situation
weigh your responsibilities and ther
answer this proposal as you wish Il
be appraised by American publi
opinion. am speaking first of al
in the public interest, but am like
wise mindful of the rights OF boil
workers and operators"