The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-10-28
WILSON DIRECTS
COAL Miners TO
CALL OFF STRIKE
ssss
FROM SICK BED PRESIDENT DE-
cLAREs THE LAW WILL
BE ENFORCED
NATION WILL BE PROTECTED"
Cabinet cos. Over Situation And
Then Submit. Matter to
Executive.
"NATIoN WILL BE PROTECTED"

Executive.
Washington, Oct. Holding
the impending coal strike not only
to be unjustifable but also unlaw-
full, President Wilson in a statement
issued, with the support Of his en-
tire cabinet, called on the coal min
ers of the nation, both union officers
and members, to rescind the strike
order effective November l.
The President declined to enter in
to the merits of the controversy be-
tween the miners and operators, but
emphatically declared that the strike
which he characterized as the most
far-reaching proposal in the nations
history to restrict production and
distribution of all hecessaries of
life, had apparently been ordered
without vote of the Individual min
ers concerned, For this reason the
President served definite notice
chat the law. will be enforced and
the means. will be found to protect
the interests Of the nation in any
emergency that may arise out Of
this unhappy business
The Presidents statement was is
sued after his cabinet had gone ov-
er the entire situation with Secre-
tary Wilson of the Labor Depart
ment, whose efforts to bring miners
and operators together in negotial
tions had failed.
The President, in his statement, re
viewed the steps leading up to the
strike call, including the Cleveland
Convention Of the United Mine
Workers Of America one month ago
III which the demands for a thirty
hour week and so per cent. increase
in wages was formulated. The war
in itself, the President asserted, still
was fact, peace negotiations still
in suspense and troops still being
transported. Because of these fac
tors and the added consideration
that the victims of the strike would
be both among the rich and the poor
of the nation, the President said the
proposed walk-out could only be con
sidered as unlawful, and as the ma
tion's executive, entrusted with en-.
forcement of the law, he would use
the means at his disposal to prevent
any stoppage Of work.
The services Of the government al
mediator, offered by the President
through Secretary Wilson, but MOI
accepted, were again held out, the
President declaring that he held him
self in readiness, at the request Of
either or both sides, to appoint 6
commission to investigate the situa
ton, to effect an orderly settlement
Of disputed questions with due rec
/ ognition Of the rights of the miners
the operators and the public.
There was no direct intimation O
what steps the Cabinet has discusset
to prevent stoppage of work shoulc
the presidents solemn warning Il
the miners to rescind the strike or
!. der fail of result. 1t was REGARDED
as insignificant, however, the atten
ton was drawn in-white House cir
cles to the statements made by Sec
retary Baker in a recent address il
I Cleveland, when Mr.. Baker announc
ed that department commanders ha,
been directed to furnish troops a
the request of governors without re
ferrirg the matter to Washington
Majors Gen. Wood in the central de
partment has already exercised tha
authority in the steel strike situa
tion.
John w. Lewis, president of tn,
i United Mine Workers Of America
worn. out by a weeks session. %
scale committees, had left here fo
Springfield, H., to take persona
charge of the strike before the Pres
ident's statement was issued.
"The situation SO far as the min
ers are concerned is unchanged.
Lewis said. eve are still ready an,
willing to negotiate new wage con
tract before November L.,