The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-11-05
MINERS REPORTED WEAK
ENING AND GOING TO
WORK, ATTORNEY GEN
ERAL EXPECTS END.
TRIAL SATURDAY
NOn-Union Men AT Work
Freaks In Ranks Occur
In Virginia and Colo
RADIO.


WASHINGTON, Nov S.-0Tieial
Washi gtul was firm in the belief to
night that the end of the coal strike
was near.
There was nothing definite or tangi-
bic in the way of actual developments
to justify the hopeful view of the sit
lation, but everywhere the feeling
prevailed that influences were being
brought to bear to have the strikers,
numbering more than 100000, return
10 work.
Confidential reports to the Depart
ment of Justice from its agents IN the
coal fields were said to show many
defections from the ranks Of the strik-
ers. Some Of the reports said that
large numbers Of idle miners had de
clared they wanted TO return to work,
but were afraid to do so.
In this connection officials reiter-
lted that adequate perfection would
be given. There was no specific state
ment as to how this would he pro
vided, but is was explained that troops
wo- Id be available at the call Of any
COVER. or who believed 1t necessary to
preser}e order or protect workers.
Breaks in Ranks.
Scattered reports from the fields,
rea hing into % states, showed the
first breaks in the ranks OF organized
labor IN West Virginia ard Colorado,
advices to Washington headquarters
of the operators said that all non-un-
ion mines were working t. full capac-
ity and turning out considerably more
coal than OF Saturday Some Of the
operators reports said that union men
had gore to work in uon-union mines
and that there was growing senti-
ment that the men themselves should
have had the right to vote on the
strike before it was ordered.
This information, to a large extent,
was in lire with that received by the
government, especially as to defec-
tiors. Officials said the strikers real
lied public sentiment was against
them, and some labor leaders were
taking this view,
Atty Gen. Palmer, handling the
main end of the governments case,
went to visit his home in Pennsyl-
vania tonight, feeling, it was said
that the crisis might be over before
Saturday, the day ol which the tenn
porary injunction Restraining officers
of the miners organization from ac-
tivity was made returnable. 4 Asked
what the government would do that
day, an official said
"We will not cross that bridge un-
til we get to it."
The gact that TO disorder was re-
ported anywhere by Department Of
Justice agents was taLon as good
sign that conditions were hopeful, and
that the miners realized it was a time
for sober judgment and action. Sew
eral miners meetings were scheduled
for tonight in the coal fields and it
was thought here that these might
have an important bearing on the
general situation.
While it had been the governments
first reported intention to let the
strike wear itself cut, hope Of set
ting it put all agencies to work and
some direct steps were taken, but
their nature was not disclosed
Strike Benefits or.
The sweeping power Of the federal
court injunction in cutting of all
strike benefits is being relied upon by
the government to bring the strike to
a speedy end. Local Representatives
of the United Mine Workers Of Amer
ila were notified today that checks to
cover expenses for the last half Of
October could not be sent because Of
the courts order.
Illness of miners with no funds
available for their support makes it
doubtful if they can hold out for any
extended period, accoring 20 the view
Of men familiar with strike conditions. il.
1t is largely because Of this fact that
labor leaders themselves look for
early peace in the industry
Three concilatofs Of the Department
Of Labor. here from the coal
fields. were in conference with off
eials Of the department today and
gave frst-hand information as 70 ac-
tual conditions They were Hymel
Davis and James Purcell Of Kentucky