Omaha daily bee., 1919-11-04
Washington Hears Of Many
OBJECTIONS From Ranks of
Strikers and Is Hopeful of
Betterment in Situation.
IDLE MINERS WANT TO
RETURN TO THEIR JOBS
Only Fear Deters Them, ,Ac-
cording to Confidential Ad-
vices to Department Of JUS
tice-Operators' Statement.
Hourly temperature.

Washington, Nov. 3.-Official
Washington was firm in the belief
tonight that the end of the coal
strike was near.
There was nothing definite or
tangible in the way of actual devel-
opments to justify this hopeful view
of the situation. but everywhere the
feeling prevailed that influences
were being brought to bear to have
the strikers, numbering more than
100000 return to work.
Confidential reports to the De-
partment of Justice from its agents
in the coal fields were said to show
many defections from the ranks of
the strikers. Some of the reports
said that large numbers, of idle
miners had declared they wanted to
return to work, but were afraid.
Protection Promised.
In this connection officials reiter-.
ated that adequate protection would
be given. There was no specific
statement as to how this would be
provided, but it was explained that
troops would be available at the cali
of any governor who believed it
necessary to preserve order or pro-
tect workers.
Scattered, reports from the fields,
treaching into 28 states. showed the
first breaks in the ranks of organ
ized labor in West Virginia and
Colorado. Advices to Washington
headquarters of the operators said
that all non-union mines were work
ing to full capacity and turning out
Considerably more coal than on Sat-
urday. Some of the operators re-
ports said that union men had gone
to work in non-union mines and
that there was growing sentiment
that the men themselves should
have had the right tosvote on the,
strike before it was ordered.
Public Opinion Factor.
This information to a large ex-
tent was in line with that received
by the government. especially as
to defections. Officials said the
strikers realized Npublic sentiment
was against them and some labor
leaders also were taking this view.
Attorney General Palmer, ham
ding the main end of the govern
ment's case. went to Pennsylvania
tonight feeling, it was said, that the
crisis might be over before Satur-
day, the day on which the tempor-
ary Injunction restraining officers
of the miners organization from ac-
tivitF was made returnable. Asked
what the government would do
that day, an official said:
I'VE will not cross that bridge
until we. get to it."
The fact that no disorder was re-
ported anywhere by Department of
Justice agents was taken as good
sign that conditions were hopeful
and that the miners realized it was
a time for sober judgment and ac-
ton. Several miners meetings,
were scheduled for tonight in the
coal fields and it was thought here
that these might have an important
bearing on the general situation.
Chicago, Nov. 3.-Today, the
first test day in the nationwide
strike ofy bituminous coal miners,
passed with out break of any con-
sequence in the general cessation
of production, despite the inactiv-
ity of the leaders of the United Mine
Workers of America because of the
governments restraining order.
During the day there was a fur
ther movement of troops into affect
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