Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-08-15
MINERS ASKED To
SPEED PRODUCTION
GRAVE DANGER OF COAL FAMINE
CAUSES PRESIDENT TO APPEAL
TO WORKERS.
Mon Who Are Drafted May Be Given
Deferred Classification, But Will
Be Expected to Work Every Day
to Provide Sufficient Fuel.

MISUNDERSTANDING a coal famine
again this winter, President Wilson on
August IL issued an appeal to miners
Tor full speed production. The text of
the proclamation follows:
To all those engaged in coal min
ing:
1.-The existing scarcity of coal is
creating n 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 will be retarded, the
effectiveness of our fighting forces in
France will be lessened; the lives of
our soldiers will be unnecessarily en-
DANCE ed 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 it, if everyone con-
nected with the industry from the
highest official to the youngest bow.
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.
The miners should report for work
every day, unless prevented by I'M
avoldable causes and should not only
stay in the mines the full time, but
also see to it 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 will 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 to indus
try.
Duty Outlined to Workers.
Those who are drafted but who are
essential will be given deferred classi-
ncation and it is their patriotic duty
TO accept it. And it is the patriotic
duty of their friends and neighbors to
hold them in high regard for doing so.
The only worker who deserves the con-
demnation of his community is the
one who fails to give his best in this
crisis;' not the one who accepts de-
ferred classification and works reg,1-
larry and diligently to increase the coal
output.
"A great task is to be performed.
The operators and their STATS alone
cannot do 1t, nor can the mine workers
alone do it; but both parties working
hand in hand with grim determina
ton to rid the country of its greatest
OBSTACLE to winning the war can do it.
with full confidence that 1 call
upon you to assume the burden of pro-
ducing an ample supply of coal, you
Will, L am sure, accept this burden and
will successfully carry it through and
In so doing you will be performing a
service just as worthy as service in
the trenches and will win the applause
and gratitude of the whole nation.
WOODROW WILSON.
1.-The White House, August IL. 1913"