Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1919-11-08
BY EDWARD w. PlckARp.

The great struggle is on. The Uni
ted States of America versus the Uni
ted Mine Workers of America. A ma
ton of one hundred and ten millions
against labor union of perhaps half
q million.
Boldly defying the federal govern.
ment as represented by the president
and his cabinet and the governments
Of many states as represented by their
governors, the leaders of the union de-
creed that the strike of bituminous
coal miners should go into effect at
midnight Friday. REGARDLESS Of the
fact that the strike would cripple the
entire country and that the resultant
suffering would be felt most by their
fellow workers, they refused to do
anything to head it off, falling back on
their oft-repeated statements of its
justice and on the assertion that, as it
was ordered by general convention
of the United Mine Workers. no repre-
sentatives of the organization have
authority to set such action aside.
Immediately after the conference of
leaders of the miners had issued its
statement the government began to
mobilize it's forces to make good the
promise of President Wilson that the
mines should be operated. The cabi-
net met in special session and definite
plans of action were discussed and
adopted. Meanwhile DR.. Harry Gar
field, federal fuel administrator, had
been summoned to Washington and
steps were taken to revive the fuel adj
ministration to prevent boarding and
profiteerng. Attorney General Palmer
issued long statement in which he
made 1t plain that the strike was IL
legal and that the government had
both the right and the power to crush
it. without infringing on the recog-
nized right of men in any line of In
dustry to work when they please and
quit work when they please"
The plans of the federal officials, It
was said. include prosecution for
conspiracy of those guilty of causing
the strike; armed protection for those
miners who are willing to continue at
work, and ALLEGATION and distribution
Of coal to railroads, essential industries
and homes. Orders for proper dispo-
sitIon of troops went out from the war
department in some of the coal min
ing states the National Guard was
modified and in various communities
steps were taken for the formation of
citizens committees to aid the author
ities.
The first thing done by the govern
ment was an order from Director Gen.
ersl Hines to the railroads to confis-
cate all coal in transit, If necessary, to
operate the roads and build up re-
serve. Then the attorney general an
nounced that the fuel administrator
would take control of the handling of
the coal and would use his authority
under the Lever act to meet the stu
alton. In the distribution of coal the
wartime priority list of the fuel ad-
ministration is to be followed. This Is
as follows:
l. Steam railroads; inland and
coastwise vessels.
2. Domestic, including hotels, hos
pitfalls and asylums.
s. Navy and army.
4. Public utilities, including plants
and such portions of plants as supply
light, heat and water for public use.
8. Producers and manufacturers OF
food, including refrigeration.
6. National, state, county and mu.
uicipal emergency requirements.
7. Bunkers and other marine emer.