Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-11-06
Organized Labor's Proposal
BluntIy Rejected by the De-
partment of Justice-LabOr
Leaders Visibly Disturbed
WILL PROLONG STRIKE
|nIinerS wiz Ask for Dismissal OF All
Proceedings saturday at Hearing on
Question Dn whether Injunction VIII
he Made Permanent

Washington, Nov. 5.-Organ;zed labor 8
proposal for ending the coal strike through
Withdrawal of injunction proceedings
ganst officers of the United Mine Work
Frs of America was b!untly rejected to-
Hay by the department of justice. The
governments answer to the union sugges-
ion advanced by Samuel Gompers. presi-
bent of the Americas Federation Of Labor
was given by Assistant Attorey-Generai
Ames, who declared the strike in itself was
a violation of law and that as long as it
continued the only place to fight 1t out
WAS in court.
Labor leaders visibly DISTURBED by this
refusal agreed with the operators on one
Important point that the statement of
he governments position swept away all
hope of Immediate settlement of the strike
Involving more than 4OU000 soft coal
miners in 2s States.
The restraining order issued by Federal
Judge Anderson at indianapolis last week
was made returnable Saturday. Counsel
Tor the miners will go into court that
Hay and ask for dismissal of all proceed
Hngs One of two things will happen
the court. according to officials here,
either will grant athe plea of the miners
pr issue a permanent injunction carry
ing with it a mandatory order to John
J.. Lewis, acting president of the miners
organization. to call off the strike.
Whatever the court does. it in itself
fs expected to be the next important
move bearing on the question of settling
he strike.
Representatives of the miners and other
abor leaders emphasized to-day that
Withdrawal of court proceedings would
bring peace to the coal fields within As
hours. Lewis statement that the miners
would be- willing to negotiate a new wage
agreement without reservations meant.
hey said, that the slate would be wiped
lean and demands for a fvc-day week
lnd a siX-hour day, together with a 60
per cent. wage increase, withdrawn. But
abor leaders declared there was no hope
pf miners Returning to work in a body
Until the new wage agreement had been
ratified.
President Wilson, sick in bed, yet mind
ful of the serious condition confronting
he country with protracted strike. is
sued orders giving FWef~ Administrator
Garfield authority to regulate price, dis
ribution and shipment of all fuel, in
'ludng anthracite. This action restored
hll powers vested in DR. Garfield during
he war The fuel administration was in
conference continually checking up on
he coal supply and arranging with Direc-
General Hines of the railroad ad-
ninistration for its distribution where
most needed
AS was the case yesterday, there We're
CIV reports to the department of justice
rom it's agents in the field and generally
he strike situation was described as un-
banged. Reports to the Washington
eadquarters of the operators from
gents in West Virginia said that thirty
ne union mines had resumed operations
a various fields of that state, most of
hese having opened to-day.
With colder weather over most of the
ountry and the big decrease in produc-
ion, few disquieting reports came
rom different sections whore available
oal stock was limited.
In some cities local authorities made
heir own rules for distribution of coal
nd in a number of instances the rail-
oad administration realized big ship
nents for local use. The questions of cur
Rilment of train service and placing en-
|argOes on freight shipments We're dis
ussed but no reduction of service will
made until conditions reach the point
,here 1t cannot be helped.
Assurances again We're given by the
overnment in reply to inquiries that
very protection would be afforded union
non-union miners willing to remain at
york. Kentucky operators at a confer
nee with DR.. Garfield asked that troops
sent to that State because of threats
1ade against working forces. They were
pld that while this was n matter for
abinet action If troops wore needed they
,ould be sent
Charleston, W. Va, Nov. 5-Dcclarine
caai st rilSe zig in ,,icla tLaxa e d