Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-11-04
WASHINGTON SEES
MINERS WALkOUT
CRUMBLI MANY
STRIKERS DESERT
Capital Officials, After Receiv-
ing Confidential Reports
Are Firm in Belief That the
Strife Is Nearly Over.
DIGGERS WANT TO WORK;
SAY THEY ARE AFRAID
First Break in Ranks Of Or
ganized Labor Occurs in
West Virginia and CoIoradoi
Palmer Is Optimistic,


10y MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL lEAsUp wIeEl
Washington, Nov, 3. - Official
Washington was firm in the belief to-
night that the end of the coal strike
was near.
There was nothing definite or tam
gible in the way of actual develop
ments to justify this hopeful view of
the situation, but everywhere the
feeling prevailed that influences were
being brought to bear to have the
strikers, numbering more than 4O0,-
| 600, return 70 work.
Confidential reports to the depart
ment of justice from its agents in the
coal fields We're said to show many
defections from the ranks of the
| strikers. Some of the reports said
| that large numbers of idle miners had
| declared they wanted to return to
work, but were afraid.
VIII Give Protection.
| In this connection, officials reiter-
ated that adequate protection would
| be given. There was no specific state
ment as to how this would be pro-
Vided, but it was explained that
| troops would be available at the call
| of any governor who believed 1t me-
| cessary to preserve order or protect
| workers.
Scattered reports from the fields,
/ reaching into twenty-eig states,
| showed the first breaks in the ranks
| of organized labor in West Virginia
and Colorado. Advices to Washington
| headquarters of the operators said
| that all non union mines were work
| ing 70 full capacity and turning out
| considerably more coal than on Sat
urday, Some OF the operators re-
ports said that union men had gone
| to work in non-union mines and that
there was growing sentiment that the
men themselves should have had the
right to vote on the strike before 1t
was ordered.
This information, to large extent,
was in line with that received by the
government, especially as to defec-
tons Officials said the strikers,
realized public sentiment was against
them, and some labor leaders also
were taking this view.
MAY Pass Crisis Saturday.
Attorney General Palmer, handling
the main end Of the governments
4 case, went to Pennsylvania tonight,
feeling, IT was said, that the crisis
might be over before Saturday, the
dry on which the temporary intunc-
| tion restraining officers of the min
ers' organization from activity was
made returnable. Asked what the
government would do that day, an Of
ficial said:
I'VE viii not cross that bridge un-
til we get to it,
The fact that no disorder was re-
ported anywhere By department of
| Justice agents was taken as a good
/ Al fttI a nd
that the miners realized it was a
time for sober Judgment and action.
Several miners meetings were sched-
uled for tonight in the coal fields and
! it was thought here that these might
have an important bearing on the gen.
eral situation.
While it had been the governments
first reported intention to let the
strike wear itself out hope of settling
it put all agencies to work and some
direct steps We're taken. Dat their ma
ture was not disclosed.
Effects of Injunction.
The sweeping powers of the federal
court injunction in cutting off all
strike benefits is being relied upon
by the government to bring the strike
to speedy end. Local representa-
tives of the United Mine Workers of
!
checks to cover expenses for the last
half of October could not be sent at
this time because Of the courts or
der.
Idlenes of the miners with no funds
available for their support makes 1t
doubtful If they can hold out for any
extended period. according to the
view of men familiar with strike con-
ditions 1t Is largely because of this
fact that labor leaders themselves
look for early peace in the industry.
Three conciliators oi the depart
ment of labor here from the coal
fields, were in conference with of
ficials of the department today and
gave first hand information as to
actual conditions They were II
| Davis and James Purcell of Ken
lucky and William Rogers of Iowa.
The question of possible curtail-
ment of train service has been left
to regional directors for determine
tion although railroad men agreed
that unless the strike is brought to a
quick end 1t may be necessary to re-
duce sharply both freight and passen-
ger service. The railroad administra-
tion is ready to seize such coal as II
needs, and move the rest to districts
| tybpra tha Sunn1u tc Ioxu