Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-04
GOVERNOR P|NCHOT
APPEALS To PUBLIC
To END COAL STRIKE
Referee Urges Pressure on
Warning Factions = Next
Meeting to Be Held or
Wednesday

the Associated Press.)-Governor
Pinchot, his work, as mediator In
the anthracite wage controversy
temporarily halted by the recess un'
til next Wednesday which repre-
sentatives of the operators and of
ficials of the miners union agreed
Saturday, has appealed to the peo-
pie ito consider their own interests
and also make their will known
through the fullest public discus
sion"
In a statement in which he said
"the essential and encouraging fact
is that the negotiations which yes
terday were tagging are still going
on" the governor declared he well
coined the breathing space for the
hard pressed leaders Of both sides
and urged them "to use it IN acquir-
ing a realizing sense of the public
point of view"
With mining operations through
out the anthracite regions complete
ly halted by the suspension order
which went into effect at midnight
last night, representatives of the OPP
posing sides left Harrisburg declar.
| ing the situation unchanged. The
| governor, outside of his formal state
ment, confined himself to an ex-
preston of encouragement.
| 'The essential and encouraging
fact is that the negotiations which
yesterday we're tagging are still
going on" the statement said. "Both
committees have suggested an adj
journment for the purpose of more
carefully considering the whole sit
uation, including the four points of
my recommendations. But since
each committee will do so from the
point of view of the interests of its
| own siGe, this seems to me like a
| good time for the people to consider
their own interests also, and to make
their will known through the full
est public discussion.
Representing the People
"In these negotiations 1 have been
representing the public and it's ne
cessity to get coal. To get coal we
must find common ground upon
which miners and operators may
meet and settle their differences
with some regard for the public
right, That common ground, in my
opinion, properly covers a wage in
crease and slight temporary rise
in the price of coal. The choice lilies
between that and the threatened
shortage.
''The public is the most numerous
and the most important party to this
controversy. Its rights are para
mount. Its welfare is the first con
sideration. The health and welfare
of the people are directly and most
seriously threatened by the closing
down of the mines.
The hardships of a coal short
age go far beyond discomfort. Jan
uary. February, and March of 1925
were ordinary winter months, bu,
anthracite was lacking during these
three months. Six thousand more
people died in Pennsylvania than in
the same months Of 1922, when an
thracite was not lacking. These
were deaths only. They do not rep
resent the very large number who
did not die, but who did suffer pro
longed illness and physical injury
our industries also suffered as die
our people.
Committee to Meet
This is what happened in a nor.
mai season of winter weather in a
state which consumes but ten per
cent of the total tonnage of anthra.
cite. What deaths and suffering
took place outside of PENNSYLVANIA
from this same cause [ can only sur
: mise. 1t is worth remembering that
there are said to be fifteen million
customers for anthracite, by far the
most OF whom represent whole fam
ines. IhoSe who depend upon an.
thraclte coal for warmth, comfort
and health are more in number
than all the people of many ma
tionals. Shall the need of these mil.
lions be disregarded?
Both committees have agreed tc
meet me again in Harrisburg on
Wednesday, September 5, at 2 D. m
l welcome this breathing space for
) the hard-preSsed leaders on both
sides, and [ urge them to use it in
, acquiring a realizing sense of the
public point of view.
'This is not a private quarrel
Neither miners nor operators have
any right to disregard or overlook
the public suffering which would
follow a prolonged strike. The pa
tience of the people is very near its
J end. We have seen it pushed be
: yond endurance before, and we have
seen the results
Today's conference, virtually g
continuance of yesterdays five-hou1
session, during which Governor
Pinchot fought to bring the oppos
| ing sides together, was little more
) than half hour long. 1t adjourn
I ed until Wednesday, the governor
as at the previous meetings, asking
all the participants to remain silent
! in the meantime.
Proposal of PinGhOt
: Governor Pinchot's four points oil
: settlement included ten per cent in
: crease in pay for all mine workers
D establishment of the eight-hour day
the unions abandonment of the
=; "check-Of demand and agreement
: by miners and operators upon the
principle of collective bargaining
:; Most pronounced difference was ev
. ident over the wage increase anC
. the arbitration question. While op
j. posing the former, the operators OF
fered to accept it in the return fol
Y a longer contract with annual wage
adjustment through arbitration.