The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-10-30
STRONG
ACTION
TAKEN!
REVIVE WARTIME
ACTS TO COMBAT
MINERS STRIKE
Railroads Order Necessary Coal
COnfiScated.
Garfield Retains Full Powers
as Fuel Head.
USE TROOPS IF NECESSARY
Miners Who Want To Work
VIII Be Protected.
President To Establish Maxi
mum Coal Price.
REVIVE PRIORITY FUEL PLAN
Government VIII Dispense Coal
as During War.
Supply Railroads and Domestic
President To Establish Maxi
mum Coal Price.
REVIVE PRIORITY FUEL PLAl
Government VIII Dispense Coal
as During War.
Supply Railroads and Domestic
Institutions First.

Washington, Oct. 30.-Fed-
eral government agencies
moved swiftly today to meet the
serious situation which will
confront the nation as a result
of the strike of 100000 bitumi-
nous coal miners Saturday.
At the conclusion of the spe-
clal cabinet meeting Attorney
General Palmer announced that
the fuel administrator would
take control of the handling of
the coal and would use his au-
thority under the Lever act to
take whatever steps might be
necessary to meet the situation.
Attorney General Palmer said
later the restoration of the max
imum prices on coal would apply
~ anthracite, as well as bitumi-
nous.
Won't Need Fuel Department
The agencies to be used by the fuel
administrator in carrying out his plans
will be the department of interior and
the railroad administration. Mr. Pal
"A.
Garfield still was fuel administrator
and could exercise his authority with
out resurrecting the fuel administra-
ton.
While the president has been asked
to sign the order restoring maximum
prices, the attorney general took the
view that Doctor Garfield would have
sufficient authority to act on his own
initiative without going to the presi-
dent. He did not explain why it was
I
order.
Today's Developments.
Developments included:
orders to railroads to confiscate
all coal in transit if necessary to
build up reserve for operation of
roads.
Establishment of the priorities
list of the fuel administration so
that the railroads. public service
utilities and essential industries will
have first call on whatever coal is
mined and on that in storage.
Preparation of an executive order
establishing maximum prices for
coal and completion of plans by the
department of justice to punish
those guilty of profiteering and
boarding.
Announcement by Secretary Lane
that the government would not hes
itate to curtail consumption of coal
in industries so per cent, so that es-
1 operation.
= General discussion of the situation
by President Wilson's cabinet, which
met in special session at the call of
Secretary Lansing.
Working out of plans by which
miners who wish to continue work
will be afforded every possible pro-
lection, including that of federal
troops, should that become neces-
sary.
COnUrnSS IN RaPI- XLTiIsOy,
Unanimous consent was given bv
the senate today for immediate con-
sideration of the resolution of Senator
Thomas. Democrat, Colorado, propos-
ing that congress declare its support
of the administration in maintainine
law and order during the threatened
coal strike.
Senator LaFollette, Republican
Wisconsin, proposed to amend the
Thomas resolution by adding a clause
by which congress would assure the
coal miners that they will in like man.
ner be supported in all lawful means
to protect their rights"
Roads Can Run Some Time.
Regional directors have been en-
gagged for several weeks in a survey OF
de coal requirements of preferred
consumers in their territory. which
has given the railroad administration
very complete idea of how much
coal will be needed to supply them
All above this amount will be taken by
the railroads. which it is believed viii
have sufficient fuel to run them for q
considerable period. Railroads which
find themselves without sufficient fue
will be able to make acquisitions thru
the regional directors on roads which