The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-10-29
STRIKE ORDER
STANDS, MINE
HEADS DECIDE
Leaders of Coal Diggers of
Country Vote to Quit Work
In Central States Mines, on
Nov. |.
WILSON DISREGARDED
(By Associated Press)

lNOiA->AFo oLlo InC, oCL- LS.-l ne
strike order of the United Mine Work
ers, effective Friday midnight, stands.
After two hours discussion the confer
ence here today of the officials of the
big union. il was announced had no
idea of modifying the call for cessa-
ton of work. President Wilson's pro-
nouncement on the threatened indus
trial war had no defendants in the con-
ference, it was announced.
Representatives of coal miners in
all parts Of the country were here to-
day, for while 1t originally was planned
to hold only meeting Of the exeCu-
tive board of the organization at this
time, in view Of the demand of Presi-
dent Wilson last Saturday that the
strike order be rescinded, Acting
President John l., Lewis broadeued
the scope Of the conference.
AS a consequence 25 district presi-
dents Of the mine workers, the full
scale committee. composed of 80 mem
| bers, and the board of executives COM
| pr1sing representative from each of
the 30 districts. are in attendance. All
! Of those present, it was stated, will
have a vote
aces ARE Soper.
! The delegates entered the confer
ence this morning sober faced and
with a full realization of the serious
ness of their undertaking Not a man
| among them but was aware that the
national and state governments were
/ lined solidly against them and that
the governments are backed by wide
! spread public opinion that the miners
are in the wrong On every hand
they have been met with expressions
| of the grave consequences attaching
to the threatened strike on the verge
Of wintr. DisContinuance Of the pro-
duction Of coal would more effectualy
tie up the industries of the country
than would a strike of any other body
Of workers. and in addition such action
would cause untold suffering among
millions Of the country's inhabitants
Despite the frantic efforts of the rail-
roads to furnish extra cars to the
mines for trans sportation of what fuel
is on hand at the source. 1t will be I'm
possible to provide an adequate supply
for even a short period
The big industries of the country
would be hard hit by the stoppage of
their coal supplies and domestic con-
sumers in every city and many rural
| communities would soon feel the ef-
fects of the tie-up- In the larger citic.,
few of the big hotels and flat build
ings have facilities for storing win
ters supply of fuel and dealers with
whom they may have contracts WOULD
be unable to supply their demands, fo-
they in turn depend upon continuous
shipments from the mines. Railroads
also would be seriously affected by the
strike.
Willing to Negotiate.
Right up 10 the hour of the confer
ence this morning miners officials rel
terated that they were willing -
negotiate with the operators, but said
that the latter had showed no inClina-
tion to discuss the demands.
For the first time in the history
OF the miners wage conferences"
Vice-President Lewis said. the oper-
ators have failed to offer a suggestion.
Heretofore We have been able to sit
down and present our side of the con-
troversy and the operators their pro-
posals, but this time is unique
Possibility of government operation
Of the mines has been advanced by
some OF the delegates who apparently
we're receptive to the idea On the
other hand. high officials of the or
ganization secuted the idea of govern
ment. control and added that they
could not see what power could be
; exerted to make men work when they
did not want 10 work.
practically 80 per cent OF the
miners are members of the organtza-
tion and directly involved in strike"
said William Green. international
secretary-treasurer of the miners.
"Conscriptirg men to operate tn"
mines would avail the government
nothing. as there would not be enough
men TO produce much coal"
Every district of the international
} organization of the miners was called
upon 10 send representatives TO the
conference today, except those Of
Canada.
GOVERNMENT PREPARED
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29-Officials
hopeful that the strike of bituminous
miners called for Saturday may yet
be averted. turned their attention to
S Indianapolis. where the executive
= board of the United Mine Workers of
i America was called to meet. While
some officials were not optimistic in
other quarters there was evidenced
a distinct feeling that the miners an
swer 10 President Wilson's appeal
) would be favora BILE.
S Should the executive board decide
E adversely on the request OF the pres
j. ident that the strike be called off. the
e government il was indicated after
yesterdays cabinet meeting at which
e the situation was canvassed, was to
e be prepared to deal with any situa-
i ton that might arise.
G HART WARNS MINERS.
3 TACOMA, Wash. Oct. 29- Mem
n bers of district No 10, United Mine
n Workers of America today received
s formal notification from Governor
d Hart. that the state of Washington