Arizona republican., 1919-12-09
POSTPONE GRAND
JURY'S PROBE Of
COAL C0NSP Tracy
Action Against Miners and
Operators to Be Dropped
as Part of Settlement Is
Belief-Terms of Agree
ment Withheld - No In
crease Above Ia Per Cent
Contemplated Is Indica-
lion
fsenubIIcan A. Leased WIre1


INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Dec. S.-De-
partment of justice officials, including
Attorney General Palmer, and heads of
the United Mine Workers of America,
who today arrived from Washington,
alike refused to give out any details
of the agreement reached at Washing
ton Saturday night looking to a set
tlement of the strike of bituminous
coal miners.
Likewise they declined to make any
statements as to hte probable effect
of the agreement upon the legal phas-
es of the situation which include ar
rangements for a sweeping investfga-
tion by federal grand jury of alleged
violations of the Lever fuel control act
and antitrust laws, and criminal con-
tempt proceedings against "a inter-
national and district officers of the
miners union.
At the close of a conference of gov
ernment officials with United States
District Judge Anderson. which lasted
more than two hours this afternoon,
Attorney General Palmer stated that
there would be no announcement from
the government on the coal situation
until after the convening of court at
10 o'clock tomorrow morning when the
miners heads are to appear before
Judge Anderson and answer the charg-
es of contempt. 1t was announced
that the union leaders would be re-
quired to appear as scheduled, but
efforts to learn If the charges would
be dismissed or the hearing post
poned pending the meeting of the min
ers tomorrow to consider the Wash
ington proposal, met with evasive
answers.
Hint Court Action to Be Postponed
Belief that action against the min
ers in the contempt cases as well as
the grand jury investigation, which
was called to probe charges of con-
spiracy on the part of operators as
well as miners, would be postponed,
was based on the action of the gov
ernment attorneys this morning in
procuring postponement of the first
session of the grand jury until tomor-
row morning at 10 o'clock.
In announcing this postponement
United States District Attorney L. Ert
Slack stated that empaneling of the
grand jury had been held off until
conferences could be held with Actor
ney General Palmer. He stated that
his announcement did not mean that
the grand jury would be empaneled
| tomorrow morning but that such ac-
tion would not be taken before that
time.
John l.. Lewis, acting president OF
the United Mine Workers. who with
Secretary-Tr William Greer
AMI Walter James, legislative agent OF
the miners organization, arrived OF
the same train from Washington with
the attorney generals party, also re.
fused to discuss the Washington con.
ference or the possible effect tn,
agreement might have on pendin,
court action. In answer to questions
Mr.. Lewis said that in the washington
conference no mention was made O
dismissal Of court proceedings as ,
part of the proposed settlement.
The conference this afternoon he
gan at q hotel but after a short whil
was adjourned to the federal buildin
In order that the department of jus
tice officials might consult with Judg
Anderson.
Besides Mr.. Palmer and Judge An
derson, those who participated in tn
conference included c. B. Ames, as
sistant; to the attorney genera
United States District Attorney L. Ell
. Slack, Daniel Simms, special assistar
district attorney, appointed in connec
tion wit hthe proceedings against IL
miners, Henry S. Mitchell special as
sistant to the attorney general, an
Fred Van Nuys, who will succeed NJ
Slack as district attorney next mont
: Mine Officials Act This p. M.
The meeting of the executive boar
Of the miners has been called for
Q o'clock tomorrow afternoon to hear Il
proposal made by President Wilso
through the attorney general ar
d which President Lewis and Secretar.
d Treasurer Green have agreed to ure
: upon the miners as basis for settl,
: ment of the strike. Several of Il
district officials of the coal worke
d had reached indianapolis late tn
: afternoon and the others who con
: pose the executive board and sea
e committee, all of whom are defen,
d ants in the contempt proceedings. a
y, expected during the night or ear
ID Tuesday.
W While Mr.. Lewis and Green wou
! not discuss the Washington conferen
they appeared satisfied with the ut
= which the situation has taken and
" was indicated that they expect
l. speedy settlement Of the strike a
N resumption Of work in the mines.
er Is believed that q statement by Ell
* Searles, editor of the United MI
is
kContinnad On Para THna