The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-11-19
NATION MUST
GET COAL, IS
uLTIMATUM
Fuel Administrator Issues
Warning as Operators and
Miners Confer Want is
Growing.
NORTHWEST SHUT OFF
fBy Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10. - Scale
committees of bituminous coal miners
and operators in the central COM
petitive field went into executive
session today to negotiate wage con-
tract with Federal Fuel Administrator
Garfeld. who urged upon them the
necessity for adjusting their differen-
ces and producing the coal the country
needs.
Speaking with the authority of Pres
jdent Wilson's cabinet, Mr.. Garfield
told representatives OF the bituminous
coal miners and operators here today
that "the people Of the United States
need. must have. and will have coal"
as long as the government stands.
they will not be prevented from get
ting it "by anything the operators or
miners may do"
DR.. Garfield explained that his pur-
pose was to furnish the conference
with the data which he would use In
determining what wage advances. II
any, agreed to by the operators and
miners could be borne properly by
the public.
Immediately after convening the
operators and miners decided to con-
tinue through q subcommittee OF 8
from each side.
SITUATION MORE SERIOUS. j..
CHICAGO, Nov. 19-The growing
menace OF the coal situation was the
subject today Of further discussion by
Walker D. Hines, federal director gen
eral Of railroads, and seven regional
directors.
Possible action talked about includ-
ed a further reduction in passenger
train service and shutting on coal
from non-essential industries Mr.
Hines indicated he would issue state
ment after the meeting regarding
steps to be taken to conserve the coal
supply now available.
"What we will consider is what
means can be employed, by elimination
Of consumption except where it is in<
dispensable, to conserve our coal re-
serve" said Mr.. Hines.
Supplies Vanish.
Meanwhile reports from virtually all
sources were of q vanishing supply OF
bituminous coal as the approximately
A(O, 900 miners remained drm In their
disposition to await announcement of
an agreement by the apparently dead.
locked miners-operators conference at
Washington. Of the great union fields
only West Virginia reported an ap-
preciable amount OF fuel brought out
1t being said Is per cent Of the mines
in that state were being operated.
An immediate prospect Of a declara
tion Of military control in the mining
districts Of Iowa, with state operation
OF mines. a strike of returned miners
in Wyoming, said to have been due
mainly to activities of radicals. and
withdrawal Of federal troops from
West Virginia marked main develop
ments In the mining districts durins
the last twenty-four hours. Use ol
state soldiers in Wyoming was threat
ened by the Governor unless efforts o.
radicals to fntimidate miners who de
sired to work ceased.
The regional directors generally in
formed Mr.. Hines that the railroad:
had sufficient fuel for several days
4he statement Of the Central west di
rector being an exception.
No general freight embargo will b'
considered Mr.. Hines said, adding tha
restricting the fuel supply Of non-es
sention industries in itself wouit
Sharnlv cnrfai1 freight ShiDmentS.