The Washington times., 1919-10-26
NEXT MOVE IN
mine CRISIS
IS PUT UP TO
UNION CHIEFS

Government officials today e.
pressed confidence the strike Of coaJ
miners will be averted. They Are
waiting for the next move from Joha
L. Lewis. acting president Of H.
United Mine Workers Of AmerfcA
who LEFT here late yesterday fee
Springfield. III. to takA. eaoeus -
the strike called for 1,pvsnbt 1.
Levin today is sxpsc4ed to reply
to PrspfAsax WxlsuA's skAt1uksnt -.
med last might cAaractsrixine ~
strike = ~unlawful."
M1nerP Pssltisn Unknswx
II was Levis refusal 70 wfth1sav
the strike order that caused the break
ing on OF negotiations here yesterday
between miners and opsraesra But
this occurred before ths President
took hand in the situation Lewis
position now 10 unknown to oHscialA.
Every opportunity viii be afforded
the miners to withdraw the strike or
der and settle the disAgreement By
negotiation or arbitration. IT Il point
ed out.
President Wilson stands ready b
name commissicn to arbitrsts ths
threatened strike.
Cabinet members are holding tbsu-
selves in readiness to respond imspe-
diateiy TO call for q special meeting.
Through the White House. all de-
yartments of the Government ars
Keeping In close touch with the situs-
ton.
Officials of the American Fe4~r>-
ton OF Labor early today were trying
to get in touch with President Lewis
and other miners heads
Goal STRIKE vftaI ts A. y sft.
President Samuel Gempers. Of ths
A r. of L.. was giving personal at
tention TO the situation.
The entire future Of organised L.
for in America depends to q large ex-
tent upon the coal situation, Il n
pointed out
The Presidents statement Of ls,t
night sets new precedent in the
Governments attitude toward indus
Iial disputes The President said
plainly that the strike apparently had
been called without a referenduy.
vote of the workers called out. Never
before has the Government gone be-
mind strike order to inquire into the
basis on which II was issued
In issuing his statement the Pres1-
dent thus put full ressponsibility foV
the strike order upon President Lewis
and officials OF the union.
Nation May Take Mfpes.
There is a direct implication in
Government circles here today that ~
all other means fail, the Government
may find II necessary TO take over the
mines and operate them under its war
powers. trusting TO Congress 20 con-
tlnue these powers IL the peace treaty
should be ratified and the war legally
terminated before the situation could
be cleared up.
II is the backing in this implied
threat that today caused Government
officials TO feel optismistic that the
strike would be averted
No fundamental principle, such as
the right of collective Bargaining. ia
involved in the situation, IL is said.
There is therefore no reason why the
disagreement can not be negotiated,
officials argue.
Calls Strike sUslnwfuL.
After almost Eve hours discussion
of the impending coal strike in two
special meetings Of the Cabinet yes
terday afternoon. Carter Glass, Sec
retary of the Treasury, and the pre-
! siding officer Of the Cabinet meeting.
made public a statement by President
Wilson requesting the miners 20 call
off the strike.
Termins tho strike ss''not only un-
justifiable but unkwful." the Presi-
dent solmenly requested both the
national amid the local officers and
also the individual members of the
United Mine Workers OF America To
! recall all orders looking TO a strife
| on November i, and 20 take whatever
| steps may be necessary 70 prevent
any stoppage OF work"
The Presidents statement bears the
4 complete approval of every membe-
of the Cabinet and all were present
at the meeting save Secretary Of