Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-11
j. s. TAKING HAND
TO OPEN NEW COAL
PEACE CONFERENCE
Federal Mediators Acting as
Factions Gather-Strike
ParIey Looms.
TILSON TELLS COOLIDGE'S
CRITICS TO FIND CURE
Put Up or shuttp," He Says, in
House-Daris Chides News
paper Men on Issue.

Py tho Associated Press
Agencies of the Federal Govern
ment are taking a very active interest
in the renewed efforts for peace in
the anthracite industry
Although President Coolidge ap-
parently is not prepared to abandon
his policy of noninterVention, the
mediators of the Labor Department
are concerning themselves directly
with the peace discussions. and pro-
posed plans for settlement are receiv-
ing very careful scrutiny in high off,
cial circles in Washington.
Keep Close Contact.
From the start of the suspension.
the Government mediators have been
in close contact with both sides. under
the plan of mediation and Conciliation
provided by law. The extent TO which
they may have gone in suggesting
solution never has been disclosed. but
Ii became apparent today that all of
the details of the negotiations at least
have been studiously considered here,
and thar further compromise propo-
sails now are under consideration in
the Labor Depa rtment.
Secretary Davis, head of this depart
ment discussed the situation today
with President Coolidge. He said aft
erwdrd that he knew of no develop
ment that would indicate a change in
the Presidents hands-off policy. He
declined, however. to go into the ques.
ton of what the Labor Department
was doing under its general author
ity 10 mediate in labor difficulties.
Not in Conference.
REPORTS were in circulation in the
anthracite fields yesterday that Maj.
Inglis and Mr.. Lewis were in confer
ence in Philadelphia. The Associated
Press was in touch with both, Mr..
Lewis in Wilkes Barre and Maj. Ing
lis in Philadelphia, and each stated
that they had nor seen each other
or been in communication since the
recent Philadelphia conference.
Mr.. Lewis left his headquarters in
Wilkes Barre last night with Mr.. Ken.
nedy without announcing their desti-
nation. 1t is known they were not
summoned by the operators, but came
to Philadelphia at the suggestion OF
persons not on the operators nego-
tiating committee.
During the morning the miners in
/ formally conferred among themselves
on routine matters connected with the
strike.
Today the suspension equals the
longest general strike in the history of
the anthracite fields. that of 1902.
which lasted from May II to Octo-
ber %.
Plan Under Consideration.
One plan of settlement which has
received consideration in the depart
ment provides that the mine oper-
ators and the union would agree to
~ hna I'd tn
after two years, with a fve-year con-
tract tentatively completed.
The wage levels during the later
life of the contract would be sub
jeCt to negotiation in the industry by
the board so created. a failure to
settle a SatiSfa Ctory wage level would
result in a consignment of the issue
TO the Judgment of three public men,
outside the industry. the personnel of
which group would be determined in
advance. Secretary Davis. Charles
Evans Hughes and William ]. Sproul,
former Governor of Pennsylvania,
/ have been suggested as men whose
joint award might he considered
satisfa ctory
Whether the plan actually will he
submitted TO the operators and miners
apparently has not yet been fully de-
termined.
day Secretary Davis appeared inclined
to blame the newspapers for the fail
ure of previous settlement proposals.
Tilson Defends Coolidge.
IF you would quit writing stories
a about coal for six days he said to
newspaper men, there might be a
change in the situation"
While the Labor Secretary was child
ing the newspaper men for writing
about the coal controversy. Republi-
can Leader Tilson was telling the
Presidents critics III the House to put
up or shut up.
Loose talking only tends to prolong
the strike" said Mr.. Tilson. Il am
unwilling TO engage in a purposeless
talkfest regarding so serious a matter.
Let us get down to specific proposals
before we enter upon such a course.
The greatest suffering caused by
the cessation of mining is in the min
ing districts, and the problem is one
for the State of Pennsylvania, in which
the mines are located, and for the war
ring factions themselves to settle
The only logical step the Federal
Government might take, said the
party leader. would be to call a con-
ference in Washington in an attempt
to persuade miners and operators TO
settle their differences.
There is no reason to believe how
ever" he added. that such confer
ence would have any different result
than those already called"
Mr.. Tilson said he was speaking for
himself only. He called on those who
think Congress or the President should
settle the strike to take pad and
pencil and draft a law that is consti-
tutional and that will end the coal
strike now"