The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-12-11

able chiefly because of the language in
which they are couched. Advices from
London and Paris lead to the belief
that if such objections were removed
the other great powers would not hes
itate to accept the American reserva-
lions. They all feel that without the
participation of the United States the
League of Nations would be a phan-
tom thing, and in the words of Gen
eral SHUTS: "The machinery of the
league is wanted to save civilization
from diss0lVing into fragments, from
falling into decay. 1t alone can save
tottering Europe"
One London correspondent says most
Englishmen with knowledge of world
affairs would not be unpleased to see
the league plan fail, because they de-
sire an o-Franco-American alli-
ance rather than a league in which ev-
cry little nation would have equal pow
ers with the great nations.
French officials were disappointed
but not surprised by the action of the
American senate. They are more in
terested just now in the fate of the
Franco-American defense pact. 1t is
taken for granted that the allied pow
ers will put the Versailles treaty into
effect not later than December 1. Be-
fore this is done, Germany must sign
the protocol to the treaty. The Ger
man delegates are obiecting to the pro-
vision requiring them to make repara-
ton for the warships sunk in Scapa
Flow and want to argue the question.
So far the governments legal vic
tory over the striking coal miners has
proved but hollow. The union leaders
said no court actiAcould compel the
men to work, and~Gp to the present
they have made good on that PROPOSE
ton. In some fields some mines have
resumed operation, but the number is
so small that the situation is growing
decidedly desperate. Many trains have
been cancelled and industries all over
the country are becoming alarmed.
When he opened the conference be-
tween the operators and the mine I'M
ion leaders in Washington, Secretary
of Labor Wilson told them they must
get together. Later Fuel Administra-
tor Garfield laid before the scale COM
mittees figures that demonstrated these
two things:
That the go per cent increase de-
handed by the miners is unreason-
oble and impossible.
That the operators have a margin
heretofore paid out in excess profit
axes upon which to base an increase
Of wages to the miners without neces-
stating a rise in tie price of coal to
the public
DR.. Garfield then told the conferees
that the country must and should have
coal, and while he uttered no threats,
it was the belief in Washington that
if an agreement were not reached. the
government would resort to extreme
measures. What these would be can
only be conjectured, though it may be
it would follow the example of Kansas
and North Dakota, where the state
has taken over the operation of the
mines by proclamation of the governor.
Again it can only be guessed how, in
such case, laborers would be obtained.
Meanwhile Director General Hines
of the railroad administration is doing
,verything possible to conserve the ma
ions supply of coal and to distribute
equitably. He has forbidden any
unnecessary use of fuel by railroads
and industrial plants Also he has
placed a censorship on all news con-
corning the coal situation because, he
said, of false rumorS that had been
attributed to officials of the administra-
lion. Mr.. Hines is especially endeav-
oring to keep as much traffic and in
dustry moving as is possible and is re-
Using freight traffic to reduce unnec-
essary mileage. The announced pri-
ority in allowances and deliveries is
being continued. So far there has been
no embargo placed on freight.
In Colorado another strike of coal
miners was called on Friday by the
district president because of allega-
lions that not all the striking miners
had been given unemployment. Those
who were not taken back, said the OPP
orators, were connected with the /.
w. w. Hundreds of miners in the New
River fields of West Virginia who had
returned to work quit again because
the operators had discontinued the
"check off, system for the collection
Of union dues.
President Wilson has taken the adj
vice of the group representing the pub
lie in the recent futile industrial COT
ference and has called another, the DEL