Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-17
Miners Head Says
Reply To His Pro-
posa| Is Mis-
~VV AU Nv WUBU~
leading :.
rrr
Flatly Refuses to Ar
bitrate in Any Form
- Coal Commission
Chairman Says Out
look Is DiscOuraging
Probable End of
Mediation Efforts -
Findings to Be Given
to Coolidge

New York, Aug. 16.-(By A. P)-
Hope for prevention of a stoppags
in anthracite coal production after
September l were near the vanish
ing point today. The second day OF
the United States Coal Commissions
attempts to aid settlement of labor
disputes in the industry ended with
miners union oHcers completely
dissatisfied with the response of the
operatorss contingent to the unions
proposition to abandon the Check
off," with the operators charging
the union with determination to
avoid settlement except on it's own
TERMS" and with John Hays Ham,
mond. the commission chairman, de-
claring that frankly, the outlook 10
discouraging" ,-s'
Moreover, the Commission itself
behind closed doors and with each
party group separately present,
sought to explore new avenues for
settlement and faced a complete
block. Sweeping aside the CHECK
off" and all other technicalities of
wage contracts and negotiations
which have been in such stubborn
dispute. the commission asked each
group to say just how far it would
go to join an arbitration arrange
ment which would let the mines keep
on running after September 1, Willie
all the disputes were left up to ad-
judication with the decision retro
active to September /.
John l.. Lewis, as president and
chief spokesman for the United Mine
Workers, gave to the commission
what was interpreted as a fiat re-
fusal of arbitration in any form. The
operators policy committee, headed
by S. D. Warriner, was prepared,
however, to go considerable distance
with any arbitration proposal. The
operators. it was said would
arbitration in the hands of any group
of persons found mutual satisfactory.
The operators also said they would
agree to ask from arbitration no re-
duction in the present wage scale in
the mine, and thus leave the union
assured of at least some gains.
All the commissions efforts were
directed to finding some basis Of
proceeding that would keep the
mines running while negotiations are
carried on. Faced with the block
ade the federal agency asked both
sides to put their responses in writ
ing and to bring them back tomor-
row for further conference. 1t was
generally expected. however that the
commission would be obliged to con-
clude its intervention, leave the
operators and miners as 1t found
them-far apart-and report find
ings back to President Coolidge.
While the commission seeks a mears
Of escape from the impending suspen-
sion of mining, union leaders and oper-
atives' representatives devoted them
selves to throwing light upon the
technical details in their deadlock.
Yesterday Mr.. Lewis proposed to aban-
don the mine workers demand for the
"check-off" system of collecting union
dues provided the operators cease
checking off" mine payrolls amounts
due from their employees for supplies
furnished Operators, agreeing TO
abandon their own "check-off" practice,
terms to the consent. Chiefly
they sought an understanding that
wage negotiations could be carried On
over September l without the unions
forcing a suspension of mining.
THE operators letter is confusing
and misleading in every paragraph"
Mr.. Lewis said of the response in
written statement to the commission.
THE mine workers cannot accept It
as an Interpretation of their previous
We made a fair proposal
and requested therein a categorical re.
ply. Such reply has not been forth
Mr.. Warmer later published a re-
joinder saying the operators proposed
to TASK the commission to state def,
nitely to the public the issues involved
in this controversy" 80
THE efforts of the operators to reach
a peaceful adjustment by what they be-
lieyed to be an acceptance of the min.
ers' proposition yesterday seem to have
failed" the Warmer statement said.
THE operators, have earnestly sought
to settle differences by peaceful nego-
tiations and arbitration. They have
offered. and now offer again. either or
both of these courses. The miners fs--
ject these peaceful courses and insist
upon their demands under threat of n
strike. The fundamental issue Is
whether or not force or reason Is to
be the accepted basis of adjusting dis
putes in this basic industry.
"Mr Lewis criticism Of our accept
ance of his proposal Of yesterday II
without a constructive or conciliatory
note and indicates determination to.
avoid settlement except upon his own
terms"
pa-