Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-20
GARFIELD IS PREPARING
TO TAKE DRASTIC ACTION
Continues Plans for Government
Operation Of Mines IL Men Re-
fuse to Resume Work.
ASKS GREGORY ABOUT POWER
Wants Attorney-General to Define
Authority Of Fuel Administrator in
Regard to Seizure and Workings
Of Mines.

WASHINGTON. October l9-While
waiting for the striking coal miners OF
Indiana. Illinois, Kansas, Ohio and
Pennsylvania to go back to work. Dr.
Fl. a. Garfield. United States fuel ad-
ministrator. to-day continued his plans
for government operation of the mines
II the men go back TO work and rely
on the government to give them a
square deal, DR.. Garfield will not take
direct charge of the coal production
business. IF they do not resume op-
Grafton OF the mines. he will he ready
to take drastic action.
DR.. Garfield to-day described his con-
ference with Attorney Greg
ory. saying he wished to find out Just
how much power he had under the law
in regard to the seizure and operation
OF coal mines. The Attorney-General
is investigating. and will confer with
DR.. Garfieid's legal adviser. Bentley w.
Warren. Boston attorney stationed
here. II the Attorney-GeneraI advises
that the fuel administration can take
charge of the mines during tho war
emergency. Dr. Garfield will be pre-
pared TO do so, he intimated to-day.
No matter whether John r. White,
president Of the United Mine Workers
OF America and now an adviser Of Dr.
Garfield. settles the strikes. the fuel
administrator will he ready He had
not received any word to-day from
White, who reached indianapolis to get
into close communication with tho
strikers In the Central Western fields.
Adviccs reaching DR.. Garfield TO-DAY
horc no additional information on the
situation.
UNOFFICIAL. REPORTS
FAT, FROM SATISFACTORY
Cnohicia. reports. however, were far
from satisfactory. Word came that the
mines in the Southern Illinois district
closed to-day because the men walked
out. On the heels OF this news was
report from Indiana saying that mines
In the Clinton and Terre Haute dis
tricts were also closing because OF the
strikes spread.
Another complication arose to-day
when 1t developed that operators In
the Cumberland Valley district are hay
ing trouble with their miners. These
men. who are not union members. have
been holding meetings with a view to
Eeiting higher wages. That the fuel
administration realizes the danger of
strikes in this region was Indicated by
the dispatchinE OF William Diamond. OF
MIR. Whites office, to Cumberland. He
Will get together with the leaders OF
the miners and try TO hold them In
line until decision on coal prices and
miners wages can be reached.
DIR. Garfield was busy to-day adjust
ing other serious coal problems oniy
slightly less important than the strikes.
lie Will issue rules in few days de-
signed to keep down the expectation
or coal 10 canada. Special permits will
be given TO shippers who send coal
across the border. after they have de-
scribed their orders and supplies.
Canada Is to be limited to an amount
not TO exceed 10 per cent above last
years supply, the figure being set ar
bitrarily becau 'e this years total coal
supply is expected TO be 10 per cent
Continued on Third Page)
BALTIMORE ny BOAT. -
Most Delishtful Water Trip In fmeriea
1Lr. Richmond $50 p. NJ, arrive BsItt.
more A. A. Fares. IS round trip; IS cns
way. YORK RIVER LINE luXurfoSs 49,.
EAe--Adv. = - -