The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-10-29
PRESIDENT ENTERS
COAL STRIKE Fight
Says Unjustifiable and Un-
lawful
CALLS ON MINERS
NOT TO STRIKE

'oasH tH' INV VIII ne Enforced ana the
Means Found to Protect the Inter-
eStS OF Tie Nation in Any Emergency
that May Arise.
Washington, Oct. 25.-IIolding the
impending coal strike tc hc not only
unjustiiiablc but also unlawful, Presi-
dent Wilson, in a statement issued to-
night, with the support of his entire
cabinet called on the coal miners of
the nation, both union officers and
members, to rescind the strike order
effective November /.
The president declined to enter into
the merits Of the controversy between
the miners and operators, but emphat-
lcally declared that the strike, which
he characterized as the most far
reaching proposal in the nations his
tory to restrict production and distri-
button of all ncccSSarics Of life. had
apparently been ordered without a
vote Of the individual miners con-
cerned. For this reason, the prcsi-
dent served definite notice that 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 bust
ness
Tho presidents statement was is
sued tonight after his cabinet had
gonc over the situation with Secretary
Wilson OF the labor department,
whose efforts to bring miners and
operators together in negotiations had
failed. The cabinet, with only Sec
rctarT Lansing detained at his home
by illness, met first in the morning
and again tonight. Rear Admiral
GraySon. the presidents personal
physician, was summoned to the even
ing session. Apparently he agreed to
the submission Of the matter to his
patient for soon aftcrward The cabi-
net meeting broke UP and the presi-
dents statement was issued
The president, in his statement, re-
viewed the steps leading up to the
strike call, including the Cleveland
Soii''i''!pil VI tllt tlllSN hluc NOlh-
crs Of America, one month ago. at
which the demands for a 80 hour week
and GO per cent increase in wages
vas formulated. The war in ITSELF
the president asserted, still was a fact
peace negotiations still in suspense
and troops Still being transported
Because Of these factors and the add
cd consideration that victims of the
strike would be among both the rich
and the poor Of the nation, the prcsi-
dent said the proposed walkout could
only be considered as unlawful and
as the nations executive entrusted
With enforcement of the law, he would
use the means at his dis p0sal to pre-
vent any stoppagc of work
The services OF the government as
mediator offered yesterday by The
president through Secretary Wilson
but not accepted, were again held out,
the president declaring that he held
himself in readiness at the request Of
either or both sides to appoint a COM
mission TO investigate the situation, to
effect IN orderly settlement OF disput-
cd question with due recognition Of
the rights of the miners, the operators
and the public.
There was no direct ntimaton Of
what steps the cabinet had discussed
to prevent stoppagc Of work should
the presidents solemn warning to the
miners to rcscind the strike order fail
OF result. 1t was regarded as signili-
cant. however, that attention was
drawn in White House circles to the
statement made by Secretary Baker in
a recent address in indianapolis, when
Mr.. Baker announced that department
commAndcrs had been directed TO fur
nsh troops at the request OF COVER
nors without referring the matter to
Washington. Major General Wood in
the Central department. has already
exercised that authority in the steel
strike situation.