Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-02
CONFERENCE TO END
COAL STRIKE MEETS
WITH LITTLE FAVOR
Chief of Miners Invites Operators of Four States;
Indiana and Illinois Cold to Proposal;
Pittsburgh Conditional]y Refuses.

Pittsburgh. Pa. August 1.-The
Pittsburgh Coal Producers association
Tuesday declined the proposal Of John
l.. Lewis of the United Mine workers
for a four states conference to settle
the coal strike. but declared in a mes
sage to Mr.. Lewis that it was willing
TO meet the mine workers organization
in this district to negotiate a wage
scale for the district
philadelphia. August 1.-(By The
Associated Press.)-A joint wage con-
ference of operators and miners of the
central competitive blum nous fields,
TO be held in Cleveland next Monday
for the purpose of negotiating a basic
agreement designed to terminate the
present coal strike, was called Tuesday
by John l.. Lewis. international presi-
dent of the United Mine workers;
President Lewis also summoned the
~oeneral policy committee of the union
70 meet in Cleveland at the same time
for the purpose of acting promptly
unon developmcnts as they may occur
in the Joint wage conference. All men
will remain on strike until an agree
ment or a definite understanding is
reached.
Philadelphia. August 1.-The follow
ing telegram was sent to the operating
interests in the central competitive
field, which includes western Pennsyl-
yapia. Ohio. Indiana and Illinois:
PHILADELPHIA. Pa. August l. 1922.
In behalf of the United Mine work
ers. T am herewith inviting the coal
onerstors of tho central competitive
field to meet in joint interstate confer
ence at the Hollenden hotel, Cleveland.
Ohio. at 10 o'clock a. M, Monday. Aug
ust {. 1922. for the purpose of negoti-
ating a basic wage agreement designed
TO terminate the present suspension in
the mining industry. | express the
sincere hope that the interests repre-
scented by you VIII find it possible to
fSicned, JOHN l.. LEWIS.
President United Mine Workers Of
America
In connection with the call for the
interstate conference. President Lewis
rave out the following statement:
I'm issuing an invitation to the coal
operators of the central competitive
field to assemble in joint conference in
Cleveland on August Z. | am actuated
by the highest consideration of public
welfare and the impelling necessity for
an early adjudication of the issues in
volyed in the bituminous and anthracite
coal fields.
This strike. unparalleled in its mag
nitude. is now in its eighteenth week
and constitutes an industrial convulsion
which menace the financial and social
fabric of our nation. Aside from the
tremendous personal sacrifices so
bravely endured by the mine workers,
the strike is exacting penalties from
every citizen of our land and is clog
ging the channels of commerce and dis
turbing the realms of finance and credit
throughout the civilized world. It's eff
feet will continue to be felt long after
its termination and the burden will fall
heaviest upon those least able to
bear it.
In consideration of these facts. and
Notwithstanding the powerful position
of advantage now enjoyed by the mine
workers, We have resolved to again at
tempt to assemble a conference where
passion will be allayed and reason pre-
dominate. We are able to fight in
definitely. but much prefer the peace
to the ills of industrial warfare.
I'VE feel that the American public
will support our offer to meet at the
conference table and will encourage
the corporate interests involved to
have their representatives present.
The making of a basic settlement
in the central competitive field will