The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-08-23
READY TO SEIZE
ILLINOIS MINES
Governor Tells Attorney General
to Draw Up Papers.
OPERATORS DEFY DICTATOR
Lowden Seeks Advice on Drastic Step
When Mine Owners Break Pact
President Declares He viii
Act In Crisis.

Springfield, ILL.,, Aug. 1S.-GOverno
Lowden issued an order to Attorney
General Brundage to prepare the neces
sary legal papers for seizure of Hi
nois coal mines by the state.
Troops May Patrol Mines.
1t is understood here that If the
attorney general decides that tho
mines may be seized without action
by the general assembly, the National
Guard regiments not already in the
federal service will be called upon Il
patrol the mines.
First Assistant Attorney General
James III. Wilkerson, former United
States district attorney in Chicago, II
Is expected, will represent Attorney
General Brundage in the case.
1t was said some time ago that At
torney General Brundage held the
opinion that the mines could be seized
by the state and that he was then
contemplating action against the coal
barons under the antitrust law. The
state council of defense then stepped
In and the attorney generals office
has been awaiting results from that
organization.
Agreement Is Regulated.
Chicago, Aug. 1S.-Coal Director
Carter found his power defied at the
beginning of the hearing on coal
prices.
Attorneys Ralph Crews, Rush c.
Butler and Samuel Adams. for the OPP
orators, asked permission TO speak.
They read the resolution adopted by
the Operators association repudiatlng
the agreement by which Judge Car
ter's decisions on price were to be
binding on the mines.
1t was an expression of polite regret
that the contract made with Governor
LOwden could not be carried out. AS
reasons they pleaded that the Lever
law forbade it, the federal trade com.
mission opposed it, and the attorney
general of Missouri had subpOenaed
the operators of two districts in an
antitrust investigation and prevented
them attending the meeting to cOnsid-
er the contract.
When Ralph Crews, who read the
resolution, concluded, he said:
with all courtesy to your honor,
l now request your permission for us
to withdraw"
State Will Go Ahead.
Judge Carter said:
81 do not think it necessary to en-
ter into any discussion of this ques-
ton. have had Governor LOwden on
the wire and he has told me to go
ahead. l regret greatly that all par
ties to this inquiry will not be repre-
scented.
Il would like to be supplied with
all the information possible. The ques-
ton as to how far this inquiry shall
proceed rests with the gOvernar OF
proceed rests with the government. OF
quests him to have 1t stopped, he will
pass this request on to me and | shall
obey.
ION the subject of price, however,
If am to determine 1t l shall take no
directions from anyone.
Il do not wish to express MY opin-
ion as to the action of the operators
In refusing TO proceed with the ar
rangement made by the governor"
Operators Defend Action.
Defending themselves from the
charge of bad faith made by the state
council of defentse, the Illinois Coal
Operators association issued state
ment giving their reasons for refusing
to ratify the agreement made by a
committee with Governor LOwden,
binding them TO submit to Coal Direc-
tor Carriers decision on prices.
In the end the operators take a
cleancut position of standing pat, re-
fusing to ratify the governors pro-
gram, and leaving II to him to make
the next move.
Wilson Will Aid in Crisis.
Washington, Aug. l8.-Presldent
Wilson, Secretary of War Baker and
Secretary of Labor Wilson prepared to
lake hand in the Illinois coal sltua-
lion.
Its seriousness was explained to the
president by Francis s. Peabody of
Chicago, chairman of the coal prOduc-
ton committee of the national council
Of defense. and the largest coal Oper-
ator in Illinois, and John b. White,
president of the United Mine Work.
ers of America.
In response to their plea that the
only remedy lay In prompt action by
the president in exercising the au-
thority for federal control of coal
conferred upon him by the food bill,
he gave assurances that he would act
without delay.
Secretary Baker and Secretary Will
son agreed TO prepare messages for
among the striking coal
miners Of Illinois urging them to go
back TO work as patriotic duty.