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Show ! GOAL STRIKERS GETPBOPOSAL X SCHEME WOULD HAVE MINERS f RETURN TO WORK AT OLD 1 WAQE SCALE I 6uggeti Procedure Looking jto Ml I tlmate Adjustment of Wage and Working Condition of 1 All Parties Washington. Prosldont Harding lubmltted Monday to tho bituminous and anthracite operators and miners fathered here In conference a proposal that the miners return to work at tho mgo scale la existence when wore was suspended on April 1 nnd aon-tlnuo aon-tlnuo to work on that scale until August Aug-ust 10, meanwhile nn arbitration board being appointed to negotiate a new wage scale. Tho arbitration commission would be expected to linve its award ready by August 10, but if unable to arrango a new scale by that dato, the sculo which expired April 1 would bo continued con-tinued from August 10 to April 1, 1923. President Harding's proposals wore put beforo tho oporutors nnd miners' union officials In tho form of a letter let-ter and both sides In the bituminous industry left the Whlto House to consider con-sider them at separuta meetings. The anthracite operators and miners remained, re-mained, however. In outlining his proposal for government gov-ernment arbitration, President Harding Hard-ing said : "The Information has como to mo that your conference Is deadlocked, or, at tho best, attempting to agroo on plans which will require eztondod time to work out. I have said heretofore that tho govorament prefers you who are partlos to the dispute should set-tie set-tie it among yoursolvos, because you best understand all tho problems .involved. .in-volved. The government cannot sot' tie It for you. It will force no man to work against his free will, it wilt force no man to employ men against the free exercise of an employer's rights. The government will not be partisan, but tho government is concerned con-cerned with coal production sufficient to meot tho Industrial and transportation transpor-tation requirements of tho country and to safeguard ngnlnst a fuel famine fam-ine when winter comes ngnln, and t is desired to have production resumed at once. "l'our government does desire to'be helpful." Tho commission then was outlined and the president continued: "Tho commission shall investigate, exhaustively evory phase of the coal, industry. It shall jeveal evory cost of, production. Tho president will nsk congress to confor authority for thq Rmost thorough investigation nnd mako. appropriations noccssary to do such, work. Tho commission shall make recommendations looking to tho establishment es-tablishment and maintenance of industrial indus-trial peace in tho cool Industry, tho elimination of waste duo to Intermlt-toncy Intermlt-toncy nnd Instability, nnd suggest plans for dopondent fuel supply. "I havo taken this short cut to n resumption of operations becauso l! bellovo It to be In tho interest of thn public welfare. It Is that slmplo form of adjusting disputes which unsworn the call of good consclonco nnd a Justj (civilization. Whon two great forcoa do not agree tliero must be n penco-. ful wuy to ndjustmont nnd such nn arbitration opens tho way. "I do not expoct reply without the, duo consideration. Please take th proposnl to sopnrato conforoncos. 1J wish you to appraise tho situation' weigh your responsibilities nnd then, nnswer this proposnl as you wish to, bo nppralsod by American publlrj opinion. I am spooking first of all, In tho public intorost, but I am likcj wIro mindful oC 'no rights of both! workers and operators." " |