Evening star., 1913-12-08
MINE INDICTMENTS
NOT BY HIS ORDER
President Wilson Says Depart
ment of Justice Is Not
Responsible.
CHARGES OF UNFAlRNESS
AGAINST LABOR CHIEF
Dissatisfaction Expressed With
+ Course of Secretary Wilson-Clem-
ents May Be Reappointed.

Replying to inquiries today, President
Wilson stated that the Department OF
Justice had nothing to do with bringing
the indictments in Colorado that nave
been returned against number OF hish
officials of the United Mine Workers As
the President understands the matter, the
indictments were returned by the grand
Jury on it's own initiative, and without
suggestion from the United states attor-
ney or any one else connected with the
Department of Justice.
The President however, did not shed
any light upon the question that must
ultimately come up on the assistance That
may or may not be given by the Depart
ment of Justice to the prosecution OF the
indictments.
The President, 1t is known, takes the
position that the prohibition of the sun
dry civil bill against using any OF that
approp: iation to prosecute ofhcials OF
labor unions under the Sherman anti
trust law does not interfere in any man
ner with the usual processes OF JUS
tice." The sundry civil bill simply pre-
vented any of the observation-disclosures
sand dollar appropriation from being used
against labor organizations. There a;e
other funds that may be used should the
department desire to lend its aid in prose-
cutions
Keeping President Advised.
The presumption is strong that the
Indictment of the officials of the mine
workers will be fully reported to the
Department Of Justice by the United
States attorney OF Colorado, and that
Secretary Wilson of the Department OF
Labor, who has been in Colorado a long
time, will also report all these mat
ters, as he has been doing others. direct
to the President 4 decision must be
reached as to whether the administra-
ton will offer the usual processes IN
the legal machinery of the Department;
of Justice. Almost the same situation
arose some time ago In West Virginia
and has not been settled.
Indictments were returned there against
officials OF the mine workers organiza-
ton. but these indictments were suggest
ed by the. United States attorney Of the
southern distrietf "a 1Fepnblacan.
T. Charges are openly being made that
Secretary Wilson OF the Department OF
Labor, formerly secretary-treasurer OF
the United Mine Workers of America. is
using his power against employers of la
Dor and in behalf of strikers.
Storm Likely to Break.
Dissatisfaction is being voiced against
the methods of the department from va
rious directions, it is said, and a storm
is likely to break at any time when or
ganizations OF employers of labor finish
Investigations now going on. IL these In
yestieations corroborate the charge that
the Department OF Labor as al present
operated seeks to bring about settlements
of strikes favorable to one SIDE and shows
prejudice against the other
President Wilson Is disposed. IL IS
said TO feel that his cabinet officer is
unjustly criticised. but he will, If it be-
comes necessary, give consideration TO
facts laid before HIM by reputable men
representing organizations
Senator Thomas OF Colorado; VINO mas
several times talked with the Presi-
dent about the Colorado coal strike
situation, visited the President today.
The situation is said TO be growing
more serious, with little prospect that
The administration will be able 10 Ell
feet settlement
Trust Message After Holidays.
President Wilson will adhere to his
position Of many months that Congress
ought to work out one big problem at a
time before another is injected, and he
will not address that body upon the sub
iect of additional trust legislation until
the currency question has been disposed
of Inasmuch as the President IS d.s-
posed to believe that currency legislation
will be accomplished before Christmas
he will advise Congress OF ms views on
currency after the holidays. The Presi-
dent is hopeful tnat he will have oppor-
tunity to enjoy a vacation during the
Christmas and New Year period Ii there
is such a vacation he VIII go away from
washington. but is not decided where
the place will be- He has intimated that
Mrs. Wilson will have much to say on
that point
conferences on proposed trust legisla-
ton will take place between now and
mon counsel with Senate and House
leaders of his party the President will
ascertain sentiment and the administra-
ton measure will be an outcome of this
counsel. There will be an administra-
tion measure, as there has been with tie
tariff and currency, and it will follow
someth ng Of the same course these other
measures have followed.
Backing Commissioner Clements.
Further pressure in behalf Of Jud-
son C. Clements as his own successor
on the Interstate commerce commits
sion was exerted at the White House
today, when Representatives Adam
son and Stevens, representing the
House committee on interstate and
foreign commerce, called OH Presi-
dent Wilson to tell him that the en-
tire membership OF the committee be-
,ieyed that the great experience and
wisdom OF Commissioner Clements
should insure him another term in
office. The President has found an
enormous sentiment in behalf Of Mr..
Clements The White House, it is
said, has never had objection to the
commissioner as man and official.
but the policy OF the President, in
cases Of this kind. has been to name
comparatively young men. Commits
sioner Clements age has been against
him under this policy. The belief to-
day is that the President may make
an exception in Mr.. Clements case and
give him another term.
The Texas democratic congressional
delegation came forward today with a |
candidate in the person of Allison May |
field, q member of the Texas railroad |
The delegation told the |
President that Mr.. Mayfield was fully |
equipped to take up the important work |
of this commission.
Presented to President Wilson.
Sir Robert Hadfield OF Sheffield, Eng |
and, called upon Secretary Daniels today. |
49, f,,yN na al..