The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-11-01

operation Of the war, no longer re-
quires such, contracts, it has no appll-
cation whatever to the large number
of such contracts, which expires at a
fixed date without regard for the war
period. The armistice did not end the
war and the courts in many cases
,haEe aeld that the war emergency
statutes are still in force; the same
rule must apply to war emergency
contracts. The congress had held to
this position SO late as October %,
when an act of congress was approv-
ed making even more effective the
fuel and fuel control act.
'"The suspension Of the restrictions
as to the price of coal is not neces-
sarily permanent and conditions war
rant a renewal of these restrictions at
this time; and yet the government. If
mum price, would be absolutely help
less to protect the people aglnst ex-
orbitant prices if the contracts made
under its sanction should now be de-
liberately broken. This does not mean
that a change could not be negotiated
and either agreed upon or arbitrated
if proper protection Of the public be
accorded in the settlement; but it
does mean that the public welfare in
the wartime emergency must still be
same permanent interest to be serv-
ed by both parties. The government
is the protector Of the public well
fare.
The proposed strike, if carried to
its logical conclusion, will paralyze
transportation and industry. 1t will
deprive unnumbered thousands of men
who are making no complaint about
their employment of their right to
earn q livelihood for themselves and
their families; will put cities in dark
ness and, if continued only for few
days, will bring cold and hunger to
millions of our people; if continued
for month, it will leave death and
starvation in its wake. It would be
a more deadly attack upon the life of
the nation than an invading army.
''By enacting the food and fuel con-
troll act, Congress has recognized the
vital importance in the present cir
cumstances of maintaining produc-
ton and distribution Of the necessi-
ties of life, and has made it unlawful
for any concerted action. agreement
or arrangement to be made by two or
more persons to limit the facilities
of transportation and production. or
to restrict the supply and distribution
Of fuel, or to aid or abet in the doing
of any act having this purpose Or eff
feet Making a strike effective under
the circumstances which l have de-
scribed amounts to such concerted
action or arrangement.
"It is the solemn duty Of the De-
partment Of Justice to enforce this
statute We have enforced it in many
cases. We must continue to do so. ir-
respective of the persons involved in
its violation. l hope it will not be
necessary to enforce it in this case.
Indeed. am hearing from many
sources that large numbers of miners
themselves do not wish to quit work
and will not co SO if assured of the
protection of the government, of
which they properly feel themselves
part. 1t is probably unnecessary for
me to say that such protection will
everywhere be given. so that men may
exercise their undoubted right of con-
tinuing to work under such terms
and conditions as they shall see fit.
The facts present situation which
challenges the supremacy of the law.
and every resource Of the government
will be brought to bear to prevent the
national disaster which would inevi-
tably result from the cessation of min
ing operations