Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-08-16
MINERS ASKED TO
SPEED PRODUCTION
GRAVE DANGER or COAL FAMINE
CAUSES PRESIDENT TO APPEAL
TO WORKERS.
Men Who Are Drafted May Be Given
Deferred Classification, But viii
Be Expected to Work Every Day
to Provide Sufficient Fuel.

Washington Fearing a coal famine
again this winter, President Wilson on
August II issued an appeal to miners
for full speed production. The text of
the proclamation follows;
10 all those engaged in coal min
ing
THE existing scarcity of coal is
creating a grave danger In fact, the
most serious which confronts us, and
calls for prompt and vigorous action
on the part of both operators and
miners. without an adequate supply
our war program viii be retarded, the
effectiveness of our fighting forces In
France will be lessened; the lives of
our soldiers win be unnecessarily en-
dangered and their hardships in
creased and there Will be much suffer
ing In many homes throughout the
country during the coming winter.
IL am well aware that your ranks
have been seriously depleted by the
draft. by voluntary enlistment and by
the demands of other essential indus
tries. This handicap can be overcome,
however and sufficient coal can be
mined In spite of 1t. IL everyone con
nected with the industry, from the
highest official to the youngest boy,
will give his best work each day for
the full number of work hours. The
operators must be Jealous as never be-
fore TO bring about the highest eff
cheney of management to establish the
best possible working conditions and
TO accord fair treatment TO everybody
so that the opportunity to work at his
best may be accorded every workman.
1.-THE miners should report for work
every day, unless prevented by I'M
avoidable causes and should not only /
stay In the mines the full time. but /
also see to II that they get out more |
coal than ever before. The other work
ers In and about the mines should |
work as regularly and faithfully so
that the work of the miner may not be
retarded In any way. This viii be
especially necessary from this time
forward for your numbers may be-
further lessened by the draft, which
Will induct into the army your fair
share of those not essential 20 indus
try.
Duty Outlined to Workers.
'rhose who are drafted but who are
win be given deferred Glass;
tcation and II is their patriotic duty
to accept It. And Il is the patriotic
luty of their friends and neighbors to
hold them In high regard for doing so.
The only worker who deserves the con
OF his community Is the
,ne who fails 10 give his best Ia this
,risls; not the one who accepts de
erred classification and works regu-
arly and diligently 10 increase the coal
output
rhe operators and their stats alone
,annot do It. nor can the mine workers
ilone do II hut both parties working
land In hand with a grim deter,uinn-
ion 70 rid the country OF Its greatest
obstacle 10 winning the war can do IT,
"Wlth fun confidence that ! call
lpon you TO assume the burden Of pro-
Iucing an ample supply of coal. you
viii. am sure, accept this burden and
VII successfully carry II through and
n SO doing you VIII be performing u ,
erviee just as worthy AS service in
he trenches and will win the applause
nd gratitude OF the whole nation. :
WOODROW WILSON
The White House. August IL, 1918" !