Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-12-12
COAL To De MOVING
RAPIDLY NEXT WEEK
OPERATORS BELIEF
Men Already Returning in
Some Instances - Little
Objection to Work Order Is
Expected by Officials

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 11.-General
operation of bituminous coal mines
of the country, which have been idle
for nearly six weeks as a result of
the strike of miners on October 81, is
predicted for tomorrow. Coal will be
moving rapidly by the first of next
week, in the opinion Of operators
here.
Officials of the union mine work
ers, who last night sent kilograms
to the 1000 locals of the organiza-
ton, telling of the action of the
miners general committee here yes
terday in accepting President Will
sons proposal to return to work to-
day were confident there would be no
delay on the part of the members
of the union in resuming work Inc
kilograms of last night, which in
structed the men to return to the
mines Immediately were supple
mented today by a circular prepared
by international officials of the union
explaining in detail the action of the
general committee yesterday, the
basis on which the strike was set
tied and reiterating the instructions
to resume work Immediately. These
circulars were mailed to the locals.
Reports reaching here this morn
ing told of the return as early as
last night of some Of the miners III
nearby fields. and in other instances
of some of the men reporting Tor
work today. 1t vas pointed out,
however. that in most cases tele-
grams directing an end of the strike
were not received by locals until this
morning, and that the locals in turn
must notify their members before
the majority again will enter the
mines.
Operators Promise Cooperation
The mine operators on their part !
promise to bend ali their energies to-
ward resumption of normal opera
ton, and promise if the miners re-
bort promptly movement Of coal
from the mines will become general
within very few days.
All sides in the controversy just
ended were highly satisfied today |
WITH the agreement reached by the
general committee of the miners in
their session here yesterday. The
miners Were especially pleased with |
the idea of appointment of COM
mission composed of one miner, one |
operator and third member not af-
fliated with either side to 1nvest1- |
gate wages and coal prices and fix |
both at figures which they deem I
T reasonable. This commission, under
the plan. will be appointed by the |
president, the miners in the mean !
time to receive an advance Of IA per |
tn
to the strike.
The federal grand jury investiga-
ton of charges of violation of the |
Lever act and antitrust laws, sched-
uled to start last Monday, but post |
poned until December II, will pro- |
coed when the jurors appear next |
Wednesday, according to the best in
formation available. The probe will |
be nationwide in it's extent, it Is
declared, and will involve both opera
tors and miners.
The charges of contempt against |
mine workers officials, which it is
believed will be dropped, are set for
hearing next Tuesday morning.
Pa1mer's Statement
Two statements were given out |
following adjournment of the con-
ference, by Attorney General Palmer,
who first submitted t. presidents |
proposal to acting President Lewis,
and Secretary Treasurer Green at
a conference in Washington last Sat
urdey who came to indianapolis
Monday to await the outcome of |
consideration of the plan by the min
ers' general committee. =
Mr. PaImer's first statement ex-
pressed his qualification at the de-
cision of the United Mine Workers
and commended Mr.. Lewis and Mr..
Green for their wise and patriotic
action" The statement follows:
1.-THE coal strike is settled as the .
government wanted it settled When
Messrs. Lewis and Green came to
see me Saturday I restated what the
governments position had been from
the beginning, and insisted on their
acquiesence. They finally agreed to
it. They have now persuaded the
officers of their organization that the
situation calls for compliance with
the courts order and the govern
ment's wishes, and I am certain that
all the miners in the country will
cheerfully acquiesCe in the decision
of their leaders. 1 desire to publicly
commend the wise and patriotic &C
ton of Mr.. Lewis, Mr.. Green and
their associates. 1 am, of course.
gratifed at the outcome, which is
one the entire country will APP
prove. Mining will be fully re-
stunned at once, the danger of dis
tress and suffering during the win
ter is passed, the authority of the
government has been recognized and
upheld, the supremacy of the law
has been established, and a prece-
dent of incaluculable value has been
set for the peaceful, orderly and law
full adjustment Of industrial dis
puteS."