Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-05
BOTH SIDES IN COAL
STRIKE STAND FIRM.
But Surface Indications Are
That Each Is Willing
to Negotiate.
PUBLIC BEGINS TO SUFFER
Montana Is Especially Hard Hit,
With Coal Bins Empty and
Schools Closing.
PUBLIC BEGINS TO SUFFER
IRy Associated Press.l

CHICAGO. Nov. AT the end of the
fourth day of the soft-coal strike that
has closed nearly all union mines in
the country and largely stopped pro-
duction, with about 425.0o0 miners
idle. there had been no break or
weakening on the part either of the
miners or the operators
There were indications that each
side was willing to negotiate. but each
seemed determined that the other
should surrender some point before
diplomatic relations should be re-
sumed.
The chiefs OF organized labor. par-
ticularly Samuel Gompers. suggested
that the government should dissolve
its Injunction against the mine
would indicate that the way was open
to peace: The mine operators main
tanned their attitude that the strike
could be opened, John l.. Lewis, act
ing president of the miners organi-
zation. said the negotiations could
Begin to Feel Strikes Effect.
While operators and miners re-
mained idle and the mines ptood de-
serted, except for such men as the
unions allowed to remain in the shafts
cry. the public in some sections had
begun to feel the effect of the strike
In serious measure.
Montana was especially distressed
the strike having closed schools in
Billings. while, descriptions of the
situas,o1 in that State indicated many
suffering. Coal bins of many homes
many farmers in the dry-farmine Ing
, Three branches of the State univer-
;y Sify and tho State Normal School at
aJiifon a may have to close shortly. Of
Of taking several hundred prisone RS
from the penitentiary at Deer Lodge
to the mountains to cut wood for the
In the Southwest many consumers
had no coal. but the regional coal COM
mlttee announced today those victims
OF the strike would be given a two
clared they were almost out Of GOAL,
and petitioned the government to re-
turn to authority the former State
tuel administrator of Missouri.
Railroads Uncmbarrassed.
Railroad operation continued with
out interruption. The railroad ad-
ministration has outlined It's program
for conserving coal stocks. and will
stantly at Washington to receive re-
ports and to instruct the regional COM
mittees.
There was little change in the situa-
tion today. Among the announcements 8
tonight was one from Thomas Brew
ster, chairman OF the coal operators
scale committee at ST. Louis. that the
majority. of operators may file dam
age suits against the United Mine
Workers Of America, alleging breach
While the Mine Workers body de-
cided that the war was over and their
contract with the mine owners expired
the operators have maintained that the
war never has been officially Terminated
ana the strike was a contract viola
tion. Such suits would be filed by
opeators individually. and not BY the
operators association. Mr.. Brewster
No Thought of Dismissal.
John l.. Lewis, acting head OF the
NINE workers, who today stated that
the collective bargaining machinery
OF miners and operators was still in
tact and all that was necessary was
Ior n,i, the government and operators to
put 1t in motion, tonight said imme
diate resumption of negotiations could
follow dismissal of the governments
INJUNCTION suit. He did not say miners
would ,;o return to, work to obtain nego-
tiations. The government, however
through the Attorney Generals office
today had let it be known that the
Injunction proceedings would stand and
that there was no thought OF dismissal.