Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-22
Lewis Agrees Readily.

President Lewis. after a brief con
ference with E. ]. Lynett. publisher OF
the Times. made known that he would
meet the operators in another confer
ence. and said he would issue q state
nent later on the details Of conditions
under which the meeting would be
held.
Mr.. Lewis favorable attitude does
not mean the strike will end at once
unless the union has changed its
policy. Mr.. Lewis and other leaders
said there would be no return to work
until an agreement 10 reached.
The mine workers leader was in
conference with Mr.. Lynett less than
an hour in accepting the proposal OF
the Times.
He expressed a desire to commune
cate with Mr.. Inglis with view OF
having Alvan Markle call both sides
together again.
The miners stand ready to re-enter
q joint conference with the operators,
Mr.. Lewis said.
Raises Early Peace Hopes.
The situation Is somewhat the same
As at the beginning Of the recent New
York negotiations. Both sides met az
that time with the understanding that
plans offered could be considered
None was accepted, and the confer
ence broke up January u. The differ
ences between the situation in New
York and that developed today Is that
the present action gives more hope OF
early agreement.
The plan proposed by the Times is
in brief as follows:
"E'nst-The miners to resume work
immediately.
'SecOnd-A fVe-year contract dat
inc from the time of signing the agree
ment.
"Third-Wages in effect under the
last contract to continue during the
term Of the new contract unless
changed as hereinafter provided.
"F'ourth-At the instance of either
party. given in writing so days be-
fore two years elapsed from the sign.
ing Of the contract, conference MAY
be called for the consideration OF
change in the agreement on the sub
ject of wages only: the miners TO re.
main al work until the end Of the five
years contract whether the concili.
Rtors gree upon a change or not.
Provides for Future.
"Fifth-One year before the con
tract expires representatives of the
coal operators and representatives of
the United Mine Workers to meet to
devise an arrangement whereby work
may be continued at the mines at the
expiration of the contract and during
the negotiations for new agreement
Mr.. Inglis, commenting yesterday
on the proposed plan with the under
standing that it was to be look ed
upon as a basis for negotiations. said
he saw no objections to paragraphs
. and 8, which, he said. We're in sub
stance proposed at the recent New
York meeting.
Continuing Mr.. Inglis said
AS for paragraph 4. it would
appear that after two years no uues
ton as to the adjustment of wages
could be raised by either party; the
wages would be fixed for the last
three years of a five.year period al
though it would be in this latter period
that conditions are most in doubt
The provision that the miners are Ii
remain at work whether or not agree
Arbitration Not Provided.
Arbitration is not provided il was
pointed out. Operators said they do
not think the miner would volun-
farily agree to wage reduction il
one were proposed. as justified BY eco.
nomic ends, and that therefore, the
proposed new agreement would vir-
tualy be hve-year contract at fixed
WAGES. something the operators are
opposed TO. They favor five-year
agreement with an opportunity to re-
adjust wages during the period.
Informal conferences have been
held by operators on the Scranton
plan. but there have been no formal
meetings.
w. w. Inglis is chairman of the
operators wage negotiating commit
tee. No announcement was maize as
10 whether the operators would meet
the miners and use the proposed plan
as a. basis for negotiation. but the
mine owners position on this is eA-
pected later.
The part of the plan on which the
operators are said to look unfavor-
ably Is that which provides that the
two sides may consider changing the
wage rate during the five years con-
tract. and if no change is agreed
upon the men shall remain at work
al the old scale.
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