The sun., 1919-10-29
WILLGO
TO MINES ONLY
ASLAST RESORT
Cabinet Decides Soldiers
Would Be Used Just to
Protect Workers.
PROMISE OF TRUCE SEEN
Response to Wilson's Call for
Reconsideration Viewed
as Good Omen.
OF TRUCE SEEN
Snecinl Despatch 20 THE suS.

Special Despatch 10 THE Sun.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2S.-Members of
President Wilson's Cabinet are a unit
in the belief that the coal strike situ-
alton looks more hopeful than 1t has
for days. They have no information
to the effect that the miners will re-
lent or any direct or official reports.
but they regard the calling Of the full
scale committee of mine workers to
Indianapolis to confer tomorrow with
the executive committee of their or
ganization as a hopeful sign.
The Cabinet discussed the threatened
coal strike and the general labor and
industrial situation throughout the
country at a two hour session late this
afternoon. The Government pro-
gramme for meeting strike In case
it is called was carefully gone over.
Much time was given to methods OF
bringing arbitration or mediation if
the miners will accept it from the
Government.
The operators. having accepted in
full the Presidents proposal for ne
gotiation, arbitration and the contin-
uance of production, no obstacle is
expected from them II the miners will
negotiate or arbitrate. 1t Is under
stood the Cabinet is unanimous in its
Of a oi,a siA,, IN tha r-fohtS ~
the public. which would suffer with
the closing Of the mines.
Secretary Lansing let it be understood
that the situation was not hopeless. The
belief is entertained that the interna-
tional executive board will postpone the
strike at least. Mr.. Lansing was silent
when asked IL facts had been laid be-
fore the meeting to justify hope OF avert
ing the strike.
silence Is n Good AuEury.
Government officials concerned in the
they consider an retrospective silence on
all sides in regard to the strike. Secre-
tary of Labor Wilson after the Cabinet
meeting said there was no means of tell
ing whether a reply would be made by
the miners to the Presidents statement
Of Saturday in one day or three days
Sessions Of the executive committee.
he said, frequently run for several days
and sometimes longer. but he indicated
a belief that the representatives OF the
workers would take up the Presidents
statement as soon as they convene. Mr..
Wilson added I'VE still have the func-
tons of a mediator to perform"
All the laws bearing on the possible
strike situation were discussed at the
Cabinet meeting, and a determination
was reached as to how far they could or
should be applied to meet the contingen-
cies that are foreseen.
The Government has not confined its
eforts In this respect to the mine work.
ers. The Cabinet discussed to-day the
applicability of the Fuel Administr a ton
act to the operators in case any of them,
once the fight Is on, should initiate re-
taliatory measures against the men, lock-
Ing out those who might be willing TO
work. This act provides heavy penalties
Tor the mine operators who conSplre to
limit production in any way and carries
provision for a fine of dollar a day
for each man who is wilfully kept from
his work
After discussion, however, this law
was dropped from consideration. 1t car
r1es the words wherever necessary for
the prosecution OF the war" and Il could
not be applied. In the Judgment of At
torney-General Palmer. with the war at
an end.
1t was made known again to-day that
the Government has no desire to take
forceful measures and is hopeful that a
strike Will not eventuate, II It does the
mines will be kept open for the men
who are willing to work and the Gov
ernment can reach all those who may
Interfere or seek to interfere. There
has been much said about the use of
troops In the mines but this Is not
contemplated except as a last resort,
though the Government might do what II
did in the spruce forests during the war
detail the men who volunteered to
work and give them the regular pay
for the work they were doing.
BrOtherhoOds' Help Expected.
1t developed here to-day that to the
coal miners had been promised the full
support of the railroad brotherhoods in
the event of a coal mine strike. The
hrotherhoods will stop men not under
contract from hauling coal from mines
where there Is strike. The brother
hoods, II seems. have made an alliance
with the miners on a general programme
to control industry In the United states,
and while no public statements are
being made now. behind It is the ma
tionaliZation scheme of leaders who are
in Washington watching events.
President w. G.. Lee OF tho Brother
hood of Railroad TSainmen when asked
as to the effect Of the Presidents letter
on the strike situation with respect to
the railroads said:
THE Railroad Administration is to
give its answer TO the railway trainmen
and / do not wish to discuss It's pos
noIa IlnaInd "a