Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-18
WARNS COAL MEN
AGAINST STRIKES
Fuel Administrator Garfield De-
clares Drastic Steps
Will Be Taken.
PRODUCTION MUST CONTINUE
Government Will Take Charge of
Industry if Output Is
Threatened.
PRODUCTION MUST CONTINUE
.LBy Associated rrcssl

BY Associa tod prcss)
WASHINGTON, October i7-What-
ever powers necessary will be employed
by the Federal government to stop
the strikes OF coal miners in the Middle
West and prevent interruption OF the
nations fuel production.
This warning was given to-day by
Fuel Administrator Garfield in n sbarp
telegram to miners and operators in
the fields involved. reminding them of
their pledge not to allow the OUTPUT OF
coal to be diminished. and declaring
that any attempt to bring pressure to
bear upon him to force n revision of
coal prices would result in postpone
ment of decision on that question
DIR. Garfield was in conference dur
ing the day with John p White, presi-
dent OF the United Mine Workers of
America. who reported that SO far the
strikes. in Ohio. Indiana, Illinois and
Pennsylvania were local in character,
though they were threatening to
spread. He expressed the hope that
the men could be induced to return
to work.
The fuel administrator did not COM
ment upon his warning or go into
detail about the steps he proposed to
take II 1t is not needed, further than
TO say that while the country is at
war no interference with fuel produc-
tion will be tolerated. Congress has
empowered the President to take over
mines and operate them IL he deems IL
necessary.
WAGE AGREEMENT NOT
CONDITIONAL ON ADVANCE
Under the recent agreement reached
at conference here between the opera
tors and men. a new wage scale grant
Ing substantial increase was ngreed
upon. The operators first entered into
the agreement conditional upon an ad-
vance in prices being allowed by the
government. The fuel administration
refused TO consent to such an agree
ment, and the operators. according to
the administration, finally agreed with
out that stipulation.
Fuel administration officials saw the
men now striking want the Increased
wages TO take effect Immediately in
stead OF at the next pay period, about
November l. In a statement tonight.
DR.. Garfield :aid the fuel administra-
ton and the railroads are energetic
ally working on the problem of getting
more cars to the mines. and that there
is every hope that the coal shortage
Will be gradually remedied
SHARP WARNING ISSUED
TO OPERATORS AND MINERS
The fuel administrators telegram
follows:
american citizens engaged in the
mining of coal. whether operators or
miners. are for the most part mindful
of ha hat
and that the burden rests upon them
to produce the coal needed without in
tcrruption. But there are evidently
some who fail to understand tho
gravity of the situation, and do not
hesitate to advocate strikes at the
present time rs means OF forcing
the government to at once decide
whether the wage increase agreed to
at the meeting recently held at Wash
ington by the operators and miners of
the central district should justly be
covered by an advance in the price
fixed by the President
The matter has been submitted to
me and all concerned are expected to
Operate. am giving immediate and
close attention to the question, and
hope to reach a decision at an early
date. The only circumstances within
my control which will delay that de-
csion will be the violation OF the
spirit of the arrangement between the
operators and miners which was that
under no circumstances should the
production OF coal in the United States
at the present time be allowed TO
diminish
IF either the operators or the miners
attempt to bring pressure upon me to
reach a decision. L shall postpone it
and use whatever powers are necessary
TO compel the production OF coal TO
meet the country'S needs"