The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1919-10-30


ernment moved swiftly tonight to
meet the nationwide coal strike for
Saturday. Refusal of the miners
organization at Indianapolis to with
draw the order calling out half
million men, brought instant an
nouncement that drastic action would
be taken to keep the mines In opera
tion.
Every resource Of the government,
in the words Of Attorney General
Palmer, will be used to prevent the
national disaster" certain TO follow
the Ftoppage Of work. When the
government plans were announced
It was not known here that the oper-
ators, as indicated in dispatches from
st. Louis, contemplated closing the
mines in the event Of strike.
Adequate police protection, with
troops as last resort, II necessary,
will be given those men desiring to
remain at work.
Reports from government agents
show that big part of the miners
ordered to quit work want to stay on
the job. ''
Rights Of the public will be protect
ed through revival Of price control
regulations, suspended when the fuel
administration went out Of existence
on February |. This means an early
drop in the price Of soft coal and
gives assurance against profitecring.
As TO those miners who go on strike
ard thereby curtail production, the
food and fuel control law, with its
retently added criminal penalty Of
f7e and imprisonment, will be en-
forced without regard to persons.
This attitude Of the government, At
tliney General Palmer made clear,
CO.'S not effect the right Of workers
to strike for redress or grievances in
other cases where no violation IL the
law is involved.
The government, however, will
make no efforts to bring about in.
dictments Of officials Of the United
Mine Workers Of America, who called
the strike, on charges Of conspiracy
TO reduce production Of necessary
product.
Government officials asserted to
night that reports from confidential
sources showed that not all Of thu
miners would strike. that public sen
timent was overwhelmingly agains
the walkout at the beginning Of win
ter, and that duration Of the strik,
would be brief.
Refusal of the miners organiza
tion to withdraw the strike order wa
distinct surprise to officials, VIII
changed quickly from hopeful t
fighting attitude. There was n
disposition to dispute the right o
the men to strike, but officials wer
grimly determined to see that me
who do not strike will be protecte
In and out Of the mines, even II tha
means the presence of troops. b
fore first word Of rejection Of tn
presidents appeal reached here fro
indianapolis, federal machinery WI
being made ready to deal with col
ditions likely to arise in the CO.
fields. Fuel administrator Carrie
was summoned here from MassachI
setts for conference at the viii
house, and until the very last
was strongly Of the opinion that Il
strike would not take place. WhI
he returned to the white house la
in the day, after the miners col
mittee had spoken, it was to del
however, with a different situati,
There was no loss Of time. Exact
what the government proposed to
was not explained, but paramou
consideration was given the profile
OF keeping the volume Of coal pal
ing swiftly from mines to cities wit
in the next few days, and rcundi
z. up civilian army that might
ready to work IN the mines.
The necessity Of reviving the Il
administration was emphasized
various conferences during the d
and this is to be decided tomorr
n when President Wilson win rece
recommendation If the cOnferei
of officials meeting lste today Il
control the prices again be eScrcis
DR.. Garfield, still technically he
Of the fuel administration. has
skeleton organization, but his for
can be quickly mobilized.
Administration leaders said c
gress would have to provide inn
date funds, and assurances ca
from leaders Of both houses. It
stated, that all the none the 9