Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-02
Palmer Is Watching for Alleged Cases of Watching for Alleged
 Law. REAL TEST EXPECTED
 TO COME ON MONDAY Saturday, Usually Off-Day at Mines, Brings No Unusual Developments. Only Non Union Points Re-
 port Men on Duty.

Washington, Nov. 1.-Instructions were issued today by Attorney Gen. era Palmer to all United States att torneys to keep closely in touch with the situation in their districts and report promptly any concerted ac- tion "by any two or more persons" to limit facilities for transporting, pro- ducing, supplying, storing or dealing in coal or to exact excessive prices.
 While no official explanation of the order was available, one purpose aimed at was understood to be to prevent radical orators among the idle coal miners from obtaining a leadership. It was made public to- night following the return to Wash ington of c. B. Ames, assistant to MT. Palmer, who procured for the government the injunction in the coal strike issued yesterday at Indianap oils by Judge Anderson. MT. Ames will assist in the administration of the fuel and food control laws, but would not discuss the governments plans.
 Mir. Palmer's instructions to the district attorneys follow:
 "Yesterday at Indianapolis Judge Anderson, on the application of the United States issued temporary re- straining order restraining large number of the United Mine Workers from taking any action or proceed ing of any kind whatsoever in fur therance of the bituminous coal strike, which had been previously called It is of the utmost impor- tance that should be promptly ad- vised of any concerned action by any two or more persons in your district to carry forward this strike. Please communicate with the marshal and the local representatives of the Bu- reau of Investigation and keep your self fully informed of the situation in your district.
 eff you discover any concerted &C., iton by any two or more persons, either employers, employees or others, which amounts to an agreement or arrangement to limit the facilities for transporting, producing, supply ing, storing or dealing in coal. or to restrict the supply or distribution of same, or to exact excessive prices for coal, or to aid or abet in the doing of any such act, you should advise me at once by wire, giving me names and full particulars.
 Both Sides Wait. Federal Fuel Administrator Gar l field has issued an order restoring former prices fixed by the fuel ad- ministration and any profiteering in coal should be promptly proceeded against"
 Aside from this action by Attorney General Palmer, there was Hull in the coal strike situation here today. Each side was waiting, apparently, for the other to move.
 Reports from mining fields, stretching from Pennsylvania to Washington state, showed that the strike order was generally obeyed by union men while non-union mines re- mained in operation. In the cen- tral competitive fields, the union stronghold, mines were closed. AL though labor leaders asserted there was lone hundred per cent" compli- ance with the strike order. officials believed the real test would come on Monday. Saturday. always a slack day at the mines, offered especial at fractions, it was said. to drag many workers from the mines, regardless of the strike order.
 i How long the strike might run. the possibility of mediation, and check up on the nations available supply of coal. with winter demand for coal increasing, were principal questions to engage attention of cabinet mem- bers. Some of the stock reports
 were more encouraging. and with continued operation of non-union mines, it was claimed the supply
 would meet current needs.
 Record Production.
 The geological survey. supplement-
 ing a statement issued last night bv
 Secretary Lane, said soft coal prod
 uction for the week ended October 25
 was 13.118,000 tons probably a rec ord, and that miners, with few excep-
 tions worked lovallv to help fill the county's coal bins before starting a strike.
 Nobody professed to know how !, long the strike might run, but off Icials in closest touch with plans for
 meeting it, figured it's duration at 30 7 days at the outside. They estimat- ed that the country had coal enough to last that long.
 ! There were no formal statements from labor leaders. Officials gen } erally seemed inclined, to let mat : ters stand as they were over Sunday. Telegrams were received at the de- . partment of justice from many states