Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 298, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 December 1919 — GARFIELD DISGUSTED; QUITS AS FUEL HEAD. [ARTICLE]

GARFIELD DISGUSTED; QUITS AS FUEL HEAD.

Washington, Dec. 11.-—Fuel Administrator Garfield’s resignation was tonight in the hands of President Wilson, given because he disagrees .in principle with the coal strike settlement proposal arranged by *the government and the mine union. Dr. Garfield himself refused tonight to confirm, deny or discuss the report, but at the white house it was said that a personal letter from him had been transmitted to the president late this afternoon. Men close to the fuel administrator understood that he believes that the work of the commission authorized under the settlement to be made up of one coal mine operator, a coal miner, and a third person named to represent the public, will result in an increase in the price of coal to the consuming pub-; lie. Against this form of settlement, Dr. Garfield has been unal-, Iterably opposed. It has been learned jon good authority that he took no part in the negotiations with the mine workers’ union chiefs during the last week and that, although informed and consulted after their, initiation, the terms laid out as fin-' ally accepted contravene his con- ■ ception of the main principle in- J volved. , | It was recalled in connection with the resignation that in suggesting> .a 14 per cent wage increase as fair for the miners and possible to i be paid from present profits of the i mine owners, Dr. Garfield suggested a commission representative of the: industry to review the findings, but, expressed the conviction that such ■ a body should not have power to i fix prices. His belief is said to be ■ that with this power granted, a com- i bination of the employer and the employe in the industry to mulct the, public by price raises is certain to 1 result. ' Whether the president will accept I the resignation is not known. Members of the cabinet, however, are known to be supporting the settlement program as put through by Attorney General Palmer. Well informed officials hold the. opinion that many of the restric- , tions in the coal saving order will: have to remain effective until about January 20, even should the miners go back at once in a body.