The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-10
RAILWAY SERV-
ICE REDUCED
Coal Shortage Causes Trains to
Be Discontinued

Chicago, Dec. 4.-Another stand
still in plans looking to an end of the
soft coal miners strike marked the
34th day of non-production Of coal III
most union mines of the nation, as
the government prepared for grand
jury investigation at indianapolis and
prosecution Of miners, operators or
others for violation of the federal in
junction or for obstruction OF pro-
duction in violation Of the Lever act.
The mines that have been idle viz
tually all Of the time Since the strike
day although for two days there
have been reports Of return to work
Of small numbers Of men in scattered
localities. Production had increased
somewhat it appeared but in much of
the nation the reserve stocks were
being reduced so rapidly that vir-
1ual famine existed in many COM
munities of number Of States and
drastic action was taken by railroad
and fuel officials.
Them ost drastic order Bfe the day
was the. order for a reduction in rail
road passenger service of one-third in
train miles in the north, central and
southwestern railroad regions" The
order means cancellation of more
trains. curtailment of luxury equip
ment and increase of cars for trains
remaining in service. There is to be
no suspension of express or mail
trains, however.
Industries continued to close, more
drastic conservation rules were made
in many States and cities and a num-
Der of State executives took action in
tended to aid in relieving the acute
shortage. -
While the larger mining corpora
lions announced at Washington that
they had agreed to pay the miners
slightly more Than the Il per cent.
wage advance promulgated by Fuel
Administrator Garfield, the operators
we're said TO be aWiting .1hs result Of
the governments legal action at In
dianpo1is.
a. /. C. Wells, editor of coal trade
publication, announced in Chicago
that private advices from Washington
were TO the effect that operators were
considering a rs per cent advance 10
the miners' elimination Of DR.. Gar
fields plan, and an advance in cost Of
about 80 cents ton TO consumers. No
of consideration Of such
plan was made in Washington.
Governor Gardner of Missouri an
,nounced the seizure by the State Of
Is mines in that State. Mining with
volunteers under troop protection,
similar TO the system used in Kan
sas, will be undertaken.
Governor Cox of Ohio called a meet
ing for tomorrow Of Ohio miners and
operators in an effort 20 settle the
strike in that State.
Governors Shoup of Colorado, Nc
Kelvie Of Nebraska and Carey. Of
wyoming, at conference in Denver,
called On the national fuel admins
tration to appoint administrators IN
each State, the same request made by
governors of seven States in confer
.ence in Chicago last Sunday.
Governor Sleeper Of Michigan
sought to arrange an opening of mines
in that State on basis of the Gar
field IA per cent advance temper
arily. any further further increase TO
await final settlement. Operators
agreed that coal mined under su',il
an arrangement would rot be shipped
from Michigan.
Volunteer miners under troops pro-
lection will start work tomorrow in
Oklahoma.
Kansas volunteers were hampered
by rain that froZe as it fell. IN ;h;t'
State the governor has received worl
that a 3uel famine exists in Is towns
Municipal wood piles are in operation
in many towns.
AL Billings. Mont. schools and
theaters we're ordered closed today
and stores went on seven hour basis
:. John C. Lewis, president. and John
Gay, secretary Of the Iowa district OF
mine workers. were arrested today on
citations of contempt issued at In
dianpolis.
+. State troops were ordered with
drawn from the Trinidad, Col, district
today.
Non-essential industries generally
are cut off from all fuel except enough
TO prevent fire and freezing.
The Chicago packers were today or
dered to arrange for a common cold
storage plant and shut down others
Denver today adopted drastic re-
strictions on business and Industry
similar tot hose ordered in Chicago