The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-11-05
Want Broad Review Of Labor
Conditions -Deplore Gov
ernment's Injunction
SET OUT PRINCIPLES
THEY WOULD ADOPT
Brotherhood of Railroad Engi-
neers Thinks Dispute Can Be
Adjusted

Washington, Nov. 2.-In1mediate
steps for. assembling at Washington
an industrial commission to deal
broadly with present turbulent condi-.
aions was suggested today by the ad-
gsory board of the brotherhood o.
Loeomotive Engineers
Deploring attempt ct government
by injunction" as q means OF setting
gfhe coal strike, the board, speaking
for IS, ,0O0 members, declared injunc-
ton proceedings would only make
conditions worse, '.and defer If not
defeat peaceful settlement
Z The board stood out for an indus
trial commission that would .'recos-
ME the rights of all citizens and not
sbe pledged to oppose collective bar
gaining It's statement, the only
formal one bearing on the strike is
sued here during the day, was con-
sldered direct outgrowth Of the
miners waikout, and was prepared
after full and careful consideration
of all questions leading UP to the
break between operators and mine
workers.
The governments next move in the
effort to keep the country supplied
with fuel will depend upon what hap
pens in the coal fields tomorrow.
- Attorney General Palmer and his
associates were cheered today by con-
faential reports which We're said to
show a tendency in some districts to-
cali off the strike. Some locals were
asserted to be making efforts to this
end. In other places, however, the
miners were reported apparently de-
terunined to stay out until their de-
mands were granted.
general way the confidential
reports were along the same lines as
union miners, almost to a man, had
quit, while in the non-union mines
work went on without: apparent in
corruption.
Attorney General Paln1ers instTuc-
4ions to district attorneys to watch
sharply for the first evidence of con
rspiracy to restrict the output OF, coal
ser prohteering was taken to mean tha'
the department Of justice was prepar-
ing to open war on agitators VINO
might invade the mine fields and at
tempt to keep out miners wiling TO
return to their Old jobs
With all strike benefits cut off by
the court, officials believe the miners,
esor large number of them, viii so
back to work, provided they are not
urged to stay out and are not swayed
by agitators.
The department of justice IS just as
determined to arrest and prosecute
to the limit coal dealers who take ad-
vantage of the critical times to prof
iteer as it is 70 deal with representa-
tives of the radical element who try
to stir up trouble among the miners
This determination was reflected IN
correspondence made public today IN
which Attorney General Palmer ad-
ministered sharp rebuke to w A
Marshall. president Of the Wholesale
tCoal Trade association OF New York,
who protested against any interfer-
ence by the government with coal
prices or supplies. Mr.. Palmer de-
4clared the government was acting
solely for the benefit Of the public
and that the coal dealers ought to be
willing to cooperate in such ma
-sional emergency even to the extent
Of sacrificing profits
Some officials said tonight that 1t
might not be possible to size up the
situation for several days. but the
general belief was that the next 4S
hours would disclose a back to the
mines tendency openly confirming
the confidential reports.
Warren s. Stone. grand chief of the
brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers
which suggested the assembling OF on
Industrial commission, headed dele
palmer a few hours after the irj1lnc-
ton was isEued at indianapolis.
members of the delegation said = that
time they merely wanted TO offer
their good Offices TO the government
and Mr.. Stone personally declined
to discuss the strike, saving the pfotn-
erhood's attitude would be made
known later Today's statemcnr W;4S
the first formal one 10 con" from
any member Of tlls railroad dclc&a~
ton since the conference.
The fun text OF the brotherhood.
statement follows:
I'm view of the conditions facing
our country at this time. which. IN
our Judgment IS far more serious
than during the late war. inasmuch as
it affects all classes Of the people.
and in consideration Of the situation.
the advisory board Of the brotherhood
Of Locomotive Engineers. assembled
at Washington. has formulated the
following declaration Of principles:
'The advisory board of locomotive
ensineers. the undoWbted American
ism OF whose membership can assure
recognition NOT only by the govern
raent but every factor contributing to
flic welfare Of all the people, believes
that:
The Industrial conditions now con
fronting the nation with capital ana
1ahcr occupying militant attitude TO
ward each other. while the whole
country is suffering from the high
cost of living caused by hoardlng ana