The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-10-27
KEEP PLANS QUIET
Government Ready To Hit If
Miners Strike.
VIII Not Play Into Red Ele-
ments' Hands, Tho.
G. 0. P. BACKS WILSON STAND
MondeH Says He Approves of
Message to Miners.
BOrah ) Succeeds in Having
Thomas Motion Delayed.
G. 0. P. BACKS WILSON STAND

Washington, Oct. 81. - Cabinet
members have prepared a program
of law enforcement which they be-
! lieve will protect the country from
any emergency arising out of the
| threatening coal strike if miners Of
| ficials insist on putting it into effect.
No reply from officers of the
| United Mine Workers of America to
| the demand of President Wilson that
| the strike be called off is expected
/ until after the miners executive COM
day, but meantime officials took cog
nizance of the statements of union
| leaders that it would be physically i'm
| possible to withdraw the strike order
| by November /.
Will Keep Plans Quiet.
| The administration program for
dealing with the strike naturally will
not be disclosed until the. strike has
developed.
ITO announce now what the govern
ment will do in the event of a strike"
said one official. would be to play
into the hands of the Bolshevist ele-
ment. If you are going to start a
great offensive you do not tell the
other fellow what you are going to
do
While it is the purpose to keep a
strong hand on the radicals, off
Gals made it plain that caution would
be exercised not to- anita gonize the
more conservative element. In this
connection they said that many of the
miners demands might be just.
1T is the means they use to obtain
their demands that we object to-" said
one high official.
1t was indicated today that the
blame for the present situation is not
regarded as one sided and that miners.
if they will consent to arbitration as
offered by Present Wilson. will have
their just grievances remedied.
Discussed in Senate.
The coal strike was discussed briefly
today in the senate. Senator Thomas.
Democrat, Colorado. asked unanimous
consent for immediate adoption of his
resolution proposing a declaration of
full support of congress to the admin
istration in its efforts to meet the sit
uation and to preserve law and order,
but on objection of Senator Borah.
Republican, Idaho. the measure went
over. Senator Borah said he was not
willing to commit himself in advance
to an unannounced program of the ad-
ministration in dealing with the
threatened strike.
Senator Thomas announced he
would call up the resolution again to-
morrow.
President Wilson's statement on the
strike was commended by both Sena-
tors Thomas and Borah. but the Idaho
senator said the administration had
announced no definite program, add
ing that. if it was the purpose to use
the militia to 'decimate people," he
would oppose it.
Senator Borah told the senate he
was thoroly opposed to the attitude of
Ebert H. Gary, chairman of the
United States Steel corporation and
his associates in refusing to deal with
labor. Senator Thomas also said he
n ie-oy1
added that congress should act at
once to assure the administration of
full support in dealing with the coal
strike.
Urges Antitrust Law Repeal.
Senator Edge, New Jersey, Republi-
can, proposed repeal of the antitrust
laws eXempting labor organizations
from prosecution.
TT is strange" said Mr.. Edge, that
at the very time when labor was
squaring off-in some cases, I fear,
taking the law in its own hands
empting it from punishment if it vio-
lates the antitrust law"
Senator Edge said labor was not
really employed by capital but by the
public. which must pay the exorbitant
wage demands now being made.
Mondell o. ks Wilson's Action.
Applause from both Democrats and
IsepuDIlCdIlS greeted an annOun cement
in the house by Republican Leader
Mondell that he most thoroly and
most heartily" endorsed President
wilson's statement regarding the
strike. The announcement was
prompted by an inquiry of Represent
alive Aswell, Democrat. Louisiana.
Mr.. Mondell sought to have, the presi- |
dents statement printed in the con-
gressional record, but Mr.. Aswell OBJ
jected.
Representatives Jones; Texas, and !
Woods, Virginia, urged support of the
administration Reports on wages re-
ceived by some non-union miners in
West Virginia, were read by Mr.. !
Woods, who said that after miners
had paid rent and other fixed ex-
penses, their. net wages ranged from |
$3.50 to S417 a month
.! am in sympathy with labor, but
against the long-haire agitators who |
preach their radical doctrines" de-
clared Mr.. Jones. we should use the |
money contributed to the fund for a |
memorial to Theodore Roosevelt in |
stamping out BOlshevism"