The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-11-03
Miners and Operdfors
In Conciliat0ky Mooe.
Some Officials Predict End of
Tie-up Within Ten
Days.
WILSON'S OFFER YET OPEN
Curtailment Of Passengers Serv-
ice on Railroads One of
Effects.

every evi5 s today that both the
mine wor and the operators are
in conf ry mood. and that they
would a : proposition for arbi-
trationi ; readily now than last
week this in view. some Of
ficials willing to predict today
that oal strike will not last for
morf : 4 ten days. 1t was pointed
out both sides realize that with
the ge,--rnment maintaining it's strict
policy, no advantage can be main
tanned by either the miners or the
operators.
Reports reaching the railroad ad-
ministration today declared that there
have been large seizures of coal in
accordance with the orders issued by
fuel administrator, Garfield, and Di-
rector General Hines, of the railroad
administration.
Distribution of coal, according to
preferential lists, was ito be under
full progress today.
Manufacturers and coal users were
placing their requests with regional
boards in large numbers. the reports
declared. The war department con-
tinued its silence as to the disposition
of troops, and merely reiterated
statements to the effect that the
question of troop movement has been
placed in the hands of the depart
mental commanders.
At the White House today it was
said President Wilson's offer for ar
bitration of the strike still was open.
Meantime preparations for setting up
Of commission on industrial unrest
as recomme nded by the public group
in the recent industrial conference,
are going forward and the selection
of the personnel is expected to be
completed by the cabinet tomorrow.
curtaiI Rail Service.
One of the first effects of the coal
strike probably will be the curtail-
ment of passenger trains on some
railroads. Director General Hines has
given regional directors wide dis
cretion in this matter as they are in
position to survey the coal needs
in their respective districts. No re-
ports of immediate curtailment have
been received here, however.
Freight service will not be dis
turbed unless the coal shortage be-
comes serious. Officials believed with
the stocks Of coal in transit, to-
rether with the tfousandsso tons
stored at terminals, 1T would not be
necessary to curtail the service for
several weeks.
A survey of all the coal stocks held
bv railroads under direction of the
railroad administration is under way.
The administration also is gathering
hn Mt itv of NOql AT sea =
board. intended for export, but which
has been ordered held to be used by
the railroads if necessary.
President Watching Closely.
The government will maintain its
attitude that the strike has been IL
legally called, it was stated at the
White House today, and in view OF
this the president could not begin
arbitration proceedings with the
strike in progress
The president is closely follo-ing
the situation, it was stated, ara is
ready to take any further steps IS
sarv, but until the strike is c-e'led
off the government cannot treat with
the strikers.
The attitude of the presid"'tt
not changed since he issued his ST., =
ii
it was stated at the White House.
He still believes the strike to be "un-
lawful" and does not see how he can
negotiate with the miners while they
persist in striking.
The president stands ready to ap-
point tribunal to settle the differ
ences between the miners and oper-
ators, it was stated, but he will not
name any tribunal while the strike
is in progress.
The presidents plans for new
industrial conference also are being
held up pending settlement of the
coal strike, it was announced. The
president has approved fifteen mem
bers of the new commission, but will
not call them into session during the
strike, it was stated. 1t was stated
that any such conference at this time
would be unable to meet industrial
issues without confusing general is
sues with the issue of the coal strike,
Just as the steel strike. issue was
thrown into the first industrial con-
ference.
Not While Strike Lasts.
Little hope has been held out here
that the miners would ask for 1rbi-
tration under the direction of the
president, but the announcement from
The White House indicated that tho
president will turn a deaf ear to all
propositions for arbitration by a tri-
bunal appointed by the president
while the strike is in progress.
The presidents decision is in line
with the cabinets policy. of treating
the entire strike as illegal and TAX
ing steps necessary for protecting
the public where necessary, without
considering the merits of the original
controversy which led to the "unlaw-
full strike.