The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-10-28
CABINET PROGRAM.
ON COAL STRIKE
SITUATION READY


Washington, Oct. 26.-A definite
program to be placed before Presi.
dent Wilson as to the government
attitude in the strike was formulated
by the cabinet this afternoon, it was
said at the White House.
While no definite action had been
taken when the cabinet recessed fol
lunch, Secretary Tumulty said the
discussion at the morning session dis
closed that the presidents official
family was Of one mind and mot a
bit wobbly." He added that when
the program was presented to the
president, Mr.. Wilson was expected
to make a public statement.
Postmaster General Burleson; said
government operation of coal mines
had not been discussed by the cabi-
net. He said the purpose of the dis
cussion was to find some basis Of
settlement between capital and labor.
None Of the other cabinet officials
would discuss what transpired at
the meeting. -:
Secretary Lansing was confined
10 his home with q cold and could
not attend. All other members Of
the presidents official family were
present and Secretary Glass presid-
ed. Secretary Tumulty was present
to convey the views Of President
Wilson on the situation.
: As they entered the White House
the cabinet officials declined to make
any forecast. Some members. how.
ever, were said to hold the belief
that stern action was necessary u
the fact Of the grave industrial itu-
ation existing over the country. ;:
II am for the fight" !" fsaid one
member Of the cabinet.
While there apparently was no
disposition to criticize either the -op-
orators or miners Of the failure OF
the negotiations conducted by Sec
retary Wilson, officers who discussed
the situation spoke Of a ".n,ass attack
on the government"
- Q WilssS MAY Make Statement.
There :semed to be doubt whether
the cabinet would issue statement
as to the governments attitude re-
garding the coal strike. In White
House circles, the thought was that
the governments position could best
be stated by President Wilson in q
formal statement to the public. Some
officials thought the cabinet would
recommend this course. ..'
In the senate Senator Thomas in.
troduced a resolution calling upon
the executive branch Of the govern.
ment to 'rindicate the power and
majesty Of the law" in the th hreaten,
ed strike. The resolution, which i.
to be called up Monday, declare.
the strike would provoke violence
bloodshed and ~insurrection. The
resolution would pledge the ICON.
slant; continuous and unqualified
support Of congress to "the nationa
administration and all others in au.
thority' making the "great emer
gency confronting u.s."
To Hold Down Prices.
One phase Of the situation which
most officials had in mind was thai
If costs of coal to the public dur.
ing the threatened strike. 1t was
said that fair-price committees work,
ing with Attorney General Palmer tc
reduce the cost of living probably
would add coal to the commodities
on which they have issued fair prices
Officials said the department of jus.
tice would not undertake to set a
national price for coal, because OF
the differences between mining costs
and freight rates, but that the ques,
tion would be handled locally.