The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-10-30
GOVERNMENT
MEETS COAL
CRISIS FAST
Railroad Administration Civ
en- Fuel Powers-Measure
Taken to Ration Supplies
While They Last.
OPERATORS TO HELP
(By Associated Press)

today to meet the situation which will
result from the strike of bituminous
coal miners Saturday. Developments
included:
Orders to railroads to confiscate all
coal in transit, if necessary to build
up and reserve for operation of the
roads.
Reestablishment of the priorities list
OF the fuel administration, so that the
railroads, public service, utilities and
essential industries will have first
call on whatever coal is mined and
on that in storage. Preparation of an
executive order establishing maximum
prices for coal and completion of plans
for the department of justice to pun
ish those guilty of profteering and
boarding.
Announcement by Secretary Lane
that the government would not hesi-
tate to curtail consumption of coal In
industries so per cent, so that essen
| tial industries might be kept in oper-
alton.
General discussion Of the situation
by President Wilson's cabinet, which
met in special session at the call OF
Secretary Lansing.
Working out of plans by which
miners who wish to continue work
will be afforded every possible pro-
lection including that of federal troops
should that become necessary.
Revival of the fuel administration to
deal with conditions growing out of
the strike is not necessary, DR.. Harry
A. Garfield advised the presidents cab
met today, holding that the wartime
powers of the body now are vested
| in the railroad administra tion, which
| will have full authority to distribute
| coal to essential industries.
Members of the cabinet said that IL
| DR.. Garfield's suggestion was adopted,
1t would obviate the necessity of ask
| ing congress to reorganize the fuel
administration and that the railroad
administration could allocate coal In
| accordance with the preferential list
| in effect during the coal shortage two
! years ago.
| While revival Of the fuel admfris-
tration had been urged by government
officials to prevent boarding and prof
| lteerlng the department of justice an
nounced that it had power to handle
that situation under the food control
act
Prices Are Restored.
An executive order restoring maxi
mum prices for coal will be issued by
| President Wilson, probably today Of
ficials would not say what maximum
| had been determined upon.
| Secretary Lane announced as the
cabinet met that the governments
would not hesitate to curtail the con-
sumption of coal in industries, so per
! cent in order that the coal on hand
and that available from unaffected
non-unlon mines might be equitahly
| distributed to essential industries
The list of the war industries board
used during the war would be taken
! as the basis, it is said
The current supply of coal, from
| non-union mines, is sufficient to meet
domestic demands and supply the
needs of railroads and public utilities,
| Mr.. Lane said. New England has
stored away two months supply, which
| will take care OF all requirements for
| that period.
The railroad administration TODAY
ordered the confscaion OF all coal in
transit, where necessary to obtain a
reserve supply to keep the roads in
| operation.
In taking over such coal. exemptions
will be made, as far as possible, of
| coal designed to certain classes OF
| consignees. based on the priority list
established by the fuel administration
OWNERS PROMISE ASSISTANCE
ST. LOUIS, Mo, Oct. 30.-Every
assistance will be given the govern
ment by the mine operators in order
that production OF coal may continue
should a strike of soft coal miners be-
come effective next Sunday, Thomas
T. Brewster, chairman of the scale
committee of the mine operators asso-
citation, said today.
Mr.. Brewster ampliied a previous
| statement that without government
aid the operators could not work the
mines, and soft coal production would
cease with naturalization of tho
strike. He said that the mine owners
were anxious TO keep the mines work
ing to their capacity, realizing the
suffering a strike at this time would
bring on the country
In invoking the Lever food Act to-
continue production" Mr.. Brewster
continued, ''the government has the
unreserved support of the operators.
Enforcement of this law is in my opin-
ion the only possible way by which
the prospective crisis can be averted.
unless the strike order is Withdrawn.
Every assistance will be given the
government by the operators to keep
the mines working, and any further
action the government takes, what
| ever it may be, will be given the
hearty cooperation Of our organ.za-
!; ton.
I'VE have agreed with the govern
. ment in every proposition it made
The miners have not. We have stated
again and again we would resume ne
gotiations with the men and submit all
disagreements to arbitration, provided
the strike order be rescinded pending
negotiations and the award of the
arbitration board.
The miners will be wholly respon-
sible for the sufferings caused by the
: strike if it goes through. 1t Is not
desired by the great number of min
ers. but is being forced on them by