Evening journal., 1919-10-27
Government NOW
Threatens ACTION
lLonilnued r1om Page orcl

OF The government according 10 infor-
nation here today While lis nrst ac-
ton was directed against the miners.
IFS Is known oflcials do not hold the
operators entirely hlsmeless for the
present condition OF affairs.
Secretary Of Labor Wilson has said
several times that The operators show
cd an uncompromisins attitude In The
negotiations between the miners and
operators here last week It was evil
dent that the secretary believed that
neither miners or operators were show
ing The proper spirit OF Cancellation.
n the tlxO sides Of the coal contro-
vcrsv finally together 90 discuss
matters. il is saia-that government Of
flcials will not allow Negotiations TO
drag. Miners in previously refusing TO
call OFT their strike say that prolong-
ing negotiations was The aim Of the
operators.
While preparing plans for new in
dusirial conference. 10 take M the in
duslrisl situation in its broad aspects,
officials here today believed that re
scinding OF The coal strike would go
a long way toward quicling threats Of
further trouble Immediately.
II 10 becomes apparent that the gov
crnmcnt is prepared 10 take a strong
stand and maintain il in labor troubles,
il is believed that employers and cm-
ploycs viii exhaust al efforts at con-
ciiation before rcsOrting TO strike
or lockout
The stand Of tho President and his
cabinet was regarded here as accurately
predicting what would be their atti-
tude should The railroad workers carry
ous their threats 10 strike n wage raises
are not granted
officials here today were without di-
rect word OF the attitude Of the miners
toward President Wilson's statement
Of Saturday. il was said al the White
House.
10 was again made plain That the gov
rrnment will not commit itself on the
merits OF the coal controversy, but
that lis efforts for the present will be
an insislenie backed by action II neces-
sary that the rights Of the public are
placed first.
Claims by miners officials that the
men work only part time and do not
make living wage would be properly
Investigated and remeded If the min
crs consent to the arbitration proposed
by the President, il was said.
There has been no change, II was
stated. in the attitude OF the administra-
tion toward the workers. No effort IS
being made 10 force the workers TO its
work without opportunity 60 redress It's
I,I Lat oh aT al
sheyism or radicalism is being made
or anticipated.
The administration Is taking care not
10 aniag0nize The conservative labor
leaders lo whom II is appealing in
hope OF divorcing IL from the irrcspon-
sible element.
SPRINGFIELD. H., oct. q United
Press officials OF the United Mine
Workers OF America today stood pat
on their strike call for next saturday.
John l.. Lewis acting president OF
the union, ON his arrival at his home
hero from Washington stated the sit
uaiion was unchanged by the appeal
OF President Wilson 90 cancel the strike
order
Il thank God we have country
where men may STRIKE" Lewis said.
"Nav the power Of my government
never be used to throttle and crush
ihe efforts OF the ioilers TO improve
their material welfare and elevate the
standard Of their citizenship"
a reply to the Presidents appeal will
probably be drafted by the executive
board Of The union at a meeting TO be.
held I'M indianapolis on Wednesday.
Lewis placed the blame for the
strike on the mine operators.
"The coal mine operators have not
offered one constructive measure de-
signed 10 avert this catastrophe" he
said. During the Washington confer
cnce with Secretary Of Labor wilson
we offered repeatedly 10 enter ncgoiia-
tions with the mine operators without
reservations to conclude the making OF
9n agreement This offer was declined.
Miners have averaged only Sl1
month during the last twelve months.
Lewis stated In explaining the demands
Of a 80 per cent wage increase and
shorter day.
"The shorter day would extend the
working period more evenly over the
entire year he said "Snce the armis-
lice was signed. miners have worked on
an average Of only three days a week
The demand for GO per cent increase
is subject TO negotiations" Lewis
said.
But the operators VIII not nego-
iiats,' he added