Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-11-07
OPPOSES GoMPERS'
PLEA TO DISMISS
INJUNCTION SUIT
Washington, Nov. 1.-THE strike of bitumin-
Gus coal miners in particular and the industrial
situation in general were discussed by President

dloIuooCu Ny ICoIOClAl
Wilson's cabinet today
at a special meeting call
ed by Secretary Lansing
of the state department.
Fuel Administrator Garfield and Di-
rector General Hines Of the railroad
administration were present. Before
the. cabinet assembled administration
| spOkesmen reiterated that the govern
ment was unalterably opposed to .h4
proposal OF samuel Gompers, presi.
dent Of the American Federation Of
! Labor that the injunction suit agains;
the United Mine Workers of America
be Withdrawn as preliminary to the
ending OF the sLllNe, and the negOtla-
ton oi u new agreement between the
miners and operators. OfficerS said
that the government S offer to arhi-
traie the controversy as soon as tlis
strike order was Withdrawn still was
open and that unles it was accepted
and the strike ended there was no
course for the government except to
press tn Injunction suit
Senator Hitchcock said the treaty
situation in the Senate would determ-
ine the time of his visit to the White
House. The Senate was assembling
| when the Presidents invitation reach.
ed him and as the reservation pro-
gram was under discussion Mr. Hitch.
cock dseired to be present at least
during the early stages OF the days
Debate.
! The whole reservation program was
considered at a conference of demo.
cratic senators last night but no de-
cision was reached. Mr.. Hitchcock ex-
pected to give the President the views
# the senators as developed at the
conference. tr
The meeting with Senator Hitchcock
vas the first personal conference the
President had arranged since he was
compelled by Illness TO abandon MS
western tour in the interests of the
treaty
Officials in direct touch with the
strike situation apparently were pre-
paring for a prolonged smut down OF
the mines. While the railroad admin.
divulge the details of its work, mem.
bers admitted that arrangements were
! being made for full conservation OF
fuel should the strike become a bit
| ter end" fight.
Palmer Non-Committa'.
Washington, Nov. before Attor-
ney General Palmer went to the cabi-
net meeting Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent. Mathew VOL vice president,
and FRANK Morrison. secretary of the
American Federation OF Labor, called
on him and were Informed that the
government had not altered its decl.
sion tC press injunction proceedings
unless the strike order was withdrawn
Mr GOmperS expressed the opinion
that settlement of the strike could
not be reached If the government en-
forced legal measures against the
strike. He also again called attention
to what he said would be the effect OF
government by injunction upon or
ga0ised labor generally,
Attorney General Palmer would not
discus a report that Mr.. Gompers had
blOugnl Il new proposal while it Is
on indicating that a new basis Of set.
tlement was under consideration Mr.,
Palmer declined to make any state.
ment concerning his conference with
la Dor leaders. say ing the latter would
return la er today He intimated that
meantime Mr. Gompers would talk
with President Lewis OF the mine
workers
Neither Attorney General Palmer
nor Mr. GomperS would say what had
manner indicated ne regarded the out
lock for a settlement OF the strike as
hopeful The general Impression was
that the government would agree to-
morrow to postpone all court proceed
ings against union officials for ono
week.
Still Sitting Tight.
! Springfield, H., NOV. Illinois soft
coal miners, on strike in support OF
new agreement demands nation wide
in scope, We're standing firm today in
! their determination 20 win against all
orders according to strike leaders,
Operators said there was no indica-
! tiou o any move by miners TO resume
work. although q spirit OF optimism
was evident on the part Of some mine
, Cwrers.
one operator a Springfield was
! said to have been seeking a wager on
! the proposition that Illinois coal dig
gors would be back on the job Tues.
day He found no takers
The disposition Of state strike lead
ers Is TO sit back and await national
Developments which are expected 10
I,cOme TO head tomorrow at Indian.
napolis, where a hearing will be had on
the strike injunction to restrain mir.
e s. officials from directing or encour.