The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-29
Operators and Miners
Warned Not to Stand
In Way of Production
Government Determined That Both Parties Shall Agree
IA Per Cent Wage Increase-Refusal to Comply
VIII Mean Confiscaton of Mines and OPP
Grafton Under Protection of Troops


Washington, November 28.-
notice on soft coal miners and
ence with coal production woul,
Warning that legal prosecute
conspiracies by either side and
to protect miners willing to wor
justice after members of the cab
of the fuel situation, admittedly
,sbreaking off of negotiations.
eminent to let the mines remain idle
with half of the country in the grip Of
cold weather and the coal stocks rap
idly diminishing.
The administration, 1T was said by
those in a position to know, had fully
expected the miners to reject the IA
per cent wage increase offered by Fuel
Administrator Garfield. Anticipating
this. plans had been considered for aug
menting the present output of bitumin-
Gus mines odfficialy figured at better
than 40 per cent of normal.
hOOI . AhE NEAL L.
A statement by Assistant Attorney
General Ames, issued late in the day,
gave assurance to all miners that they
would be afforded ample protection if
they returned to work, even if troops
had to be called out. This was the
only definite statement of policy from
the government In official circles it
was said that the federal authorities
were determined to force resumption
of operations on the terms laid down
ny the fuel administrator.
The department of justice statement
called attention to the fact that IN
ss1retiaTs 3sssfed harstofore by the sTAr
depar tment in connection with the pos
sible use of troops in coal field regions
still were in effect, and that depart
dnent commanders stood ready to guard
the fields the instant their aid was re-
quested by the state authorities.
Operators tonight set out to resume
production SO far as that was possible
under the muddled conditions, by tele-
graphing notice for posting at mines
everywhere offering an increase of IA
per cent for all men willing to work.
There were few expressions as to how
this information might be received, but
representatives of the miners her stillsl
declared it would be no incentive, and
that it would be ignored, especially in
the central competitive fields, embrac-
ing the states of Ohio Illinois, In
diana and western Pennsylvania! OPP
orators, however, believed that it would
draw large numbers to the mines and
that next week would see big in
crease / nthe daily soft coal output.
INCREASE SETTLED
DIR. Garfield had explained earlier
in the day that he regarded IA per
cent just and sufficient wage adj
vance for mine workers and that
mire owners who did not pay 1T
would find their properties taken
over and operated by the fuel adj /
ministratiOn.
John L. Lewis, acting president of
the United Mine Workers of America, [
who had borne the brunt of the wage
negotiation fighting, went home tonight.
worn out by the long wrangle. Before
leaving for Indianapolis Lewis saw Sec I,
aetary of Labor Wilson and Samuel
.fompers president of the American
Federation of Labor. He did not have i
much to say about. the situation and ex- I
planned that he had arranged with
Gompers to have the federation's law
yers assist counsel for the miners in
Sperfecting their appeal from the ruling |
yof Federal Judge Anderson ordering |
the coal strike order cancelled.
In labor and official circles the meet |
ingsof Lewis and Gompers was regarded
s significant, bnt there was no state !
ment concerning questions discussed, |
except Lewis reference to seeking
counsel aid.
After ieaving Secretary Wilson'S Of !
fee Lewis said:
DIR. Garfield represents the govern
ment Mr. Wilson told me that today"
LEWIS GIVES UP
This was taken by Lewis to mean
that the IA per cent wageoffer was,
definitely and finally, the governments
offer. and that Mr.. Wilson's proposal for
81 per cent advance had been re-
jected by the cabinet. So far as OBJ
tanning help for his union, Lewis real
lied that IA per cent was all he might
expect.
Discussing department of justice
plans Mr.. Ames said
All the United States attorneys in
the bituminous coal fields have been Of
fcially advised of the result of the ne
gotiations at Washington and have
been given instructions relative to the
situation.
1T is. of course, obvious that the
time has come when ample protection
will be furnished all persons desiring &c
work in mines. All persons, whether
miners or operators making any agree
ment or arrangement with each otheri
to restrict the supply OF coal will bel
proceeded against as the law provides
and it should be understood that any
person who aids or abets in restricting
Continued ON Ease Two)