Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1919 — U. S. EFFORTS TO END STRIKE FAIL [ARTICLE]

U. S. EFFORTS TO END STRIKE FAIL

OHer of 14 Pur Cent Increase Flatly Rejected by the Miners. PARLEY ADJOURNS SINE DIE Operators Agree to Accept the' Governtncat's lhxqioim.l as Basis for Settlement—Lewis Claims Injustice Done Miners. Washington, Nov. 28.—-The government’sl offer of a 14 per cent Increase of wages was flatly rejected by the coal miners. As a result the conference between the miners and operators adjourned sine die with the settlement of the wage controversy still "In the air." No provision was made for the resumption of the conference, the miners declaring “that they were going home and sit tight." The miners’ rejection came after the operators had accepted the government’s proposal as a Basis for a settlement although they declared that the increase wlthotit raising the price of coal to the public would mean the loss of profits to a large number of mine? and would seriously Interfere with production. After the rejection the operators tendered n compromise offering to submit the entire dispute to a board of arbitration. This also was refused by the and the conference took an adjournment. Statement by Lewis. The following statement was dictated by Acting President John L. Lewis of the United Mine Workers: “The miners and operators Joint conference adjourned sine die. The mine workers representatives declined to 1 recommend to the miners any acceptance of the 14 per cent Increase offered. “The operators pretended to be willing to grant this 14 per cent increase, but in the same breath stated that they would be unable to operate a large number of their mines unless they had an increase in the selling price of coal. It would be foolish for us to attempt to make any agreement with the operators unless their mines were to be operated. “The position of the mine workers is unchanged. We hold that the United States government cannot break its word. The pledge given by Secretary of Labor Wilson to grant a 31.0 per cent Increase in wages must be redeemed. “In my judgement Dr. Garfield and the cabinet have committed the most colossal blunder in the industrial history of our nation. They are blindly following an academic theory without regard to Justice to the mine workers or the effects of such theory upon the people of the country. , Says Justice Is Denied.

“The responsibility for the crisis now confronting the nation must lie upon those statesmen who are using the powers of the - government to oppress n»d deny justice to the great element of citizenship directly concerned in the milling industry. "I cannot believe that the people of our country will endorse a policy of oppression and repression which means continued Industrial chaos, and Intense suffering on the part of the mine workers and our entire citizenship.” The letter sent to Doctor Garfield by the operators of the central competitive coal field, accepting the government's offer, reads: “Recognizing the seriousness of the present crisis and the urgent need of the country for coal, we wish to advise you that, subject to your approval and conditioned upon the mines resuming operations immediately, the operators’ scale committee of the central competitive coal field accept, as a basis for the settlement of the preesnt wage controversy and termination of the strike, the figures submitted by you to the joint meeting of operators and miners held yesterday evening, namely, an average Increase of 14 per cent to be granted to all classes of mine labor, such Increase to be apportioned in accordance with the wage bases that are acceptable to the employees and employers, thus preserving present differentials. Otherwise than as above, modified in complete accordance with your proposal, the present contract In all its term and conditions to be continued In full force and effect until March 31, 1922. ; “We have already notified the miners to this effect Say* Profits Eliminated. “At the same time we wish td, call your attention to the fact thaj the acceptance of this increase In wages {without any Increase In selling prices entirely eliminates' the profits of a

large number or mines, such a large number, in fact, we fear that the production of coal will be seriously affected. We understand that operating statistics for 1919 are not now in your possession, and we shall rely upon the government, when such statistics are properly assembled to make such adjustments in selling prices as will permit these mines to make such fair and reasonable profits as they are entitled to under the Lever law’.”

William Green, secretary of the United Mine Workers, said: “Secretary of Labor Wilson states that Qie mine workers are entitled to an Increase in wages amounting to 31.6 per cent. Mr. Garfield says 14 per cent. Obviously these two conclusions conflict with each other and, to say the least, are confusing. The mine workers know the figures of Secretary of Labor Wilson are approximately correct and the figures of Doctor Garfield are erroneous. The mine workers challenge the figures of Doctor Garfield and cannpt and will not accept them. We will accept the figures of a responsible cabinet officer. Secretary Wilson. Hits at Garfield. “Doctor Garfield, because of the responsible position which he occupies, has done a great injustice to a million miners in America. His statement and decision has served to inject Into the settlement of the miners’ W’age controversy an almost insurmountable obstacle. In that respect his action approaches the commission of a moral crime agajnst the public. “Mine workers cannot mine coal at the figures fixed by Doctor Garfield. The acceptance of his conclusion would mean untold sacrifice, suffering and deprivation on the part of the miners and their families. The problem of decent wages and a decent American standard of living, together with an adequate production of coal chnnot be solved as a college professor would work out a problem in geometry, algebra or theoretical philosophy. “The practical way to solve the present problem of coal production is to grant the miners an increase in wages sufficient to m£et the increase in the cost of living and to guarantee them an American standard of living. They will then risk their lives in the ;mines, accept all the hazards of the industry and mine a steady stream of coal suflicient to meet every requirement.”