The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-03
Government Will Use It's Full
Authority in the Coal
Regions
NO INTERFERENCE TO
BE TOLERATED NOW
Troops Will Be Ready to Protect
Those Who Are Willing to
Work in Mines

Washington, Nov 2S.-The govern
ment served blunt notice on soft coal
| miners and operators tonight that in
! terference with coal production would
not be tolerated. Warning that legal
prosecution would be employed to
I.1hwart conspiracies by either side
and troops sent wherever necessary
to protect miners willing to work
came from the department OF justice
after members Of the cabinet had con-
] sldered every phase Of the fuel Sit
uation, admittedly critical. in view OF
the abrupt breaking Off of negotia-
t.ons.
1t is not the intention of the gov
ernment to let the mines remain idle
with half Of the country in the grip
Of cold weather and the coal stocks
| rapidly dim .shing. The administra-
ton it was said, by those in posi-
ton to know, had fully expected the
miners to reject the II per cent wage
Increase offered by Fuel Administra-
tor Garfield Anticipating this, plans
had been considered for augmentins
the present output Of bituminous
mines officially figured at better than
40 per cent of normal.
A statement by Assistant Attorney
General Arnes, issued late IN the day,
gave assurance to all miners that
| they would be afforded ample pro-
lection if they returned to work.
even if troops had to be called out.
This was the only definite state
lnent Of policy: from the government.
! In official circles it was said that. the
federal authorities were determined 70
force resumption Of operations on the
terms laid down by the fuel admins
traitor.
The department Of justice state
ment called attention to the fact that
| Instructions issued heretofore by the
war department in connection with
the possible use of troops in coal field
| regions still were in effect, and that
department commanders stood ready
to guard the fields the instant their
aid was required by the State au-
thorities.
Operators tonight set out to re-
sumo production, so far as that was
possible under the muddled condi-
tons by telegcap phing notice for
posting at mines everywhere offering
an increase Of Ii per cent for all men
willing to work.
/ There were few expressions as to
how this information might be re-
ceived, but representatives Of the
miners here still declared it would
be no incentive, and that it would be
ignored, especially in tie central COM
petitive fields embracing the States
Of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Western
PENNSYLVANIA. Operators, however. be-
icved that it would draw large num-
! bers to the mines and that next
! week would see a big increase in the
daily soft coal output.
DR.. Garfield had explained earlier
! in the day that ne regarded II per
! cent a just wage increase for mine
workers and that mine owners who
did not cooperate with the govern
ment would find their properties
taken over land operated by the fuel
administration.
John Lewis. acting president of the
United Mine Workers, who had borne
the brunt Of the wage negotiation
fighting, went home tonight. worn out
by the long wranglc. Before leaving
for indianapolis, Lewis saw Secretary
: of Labor Wilson and Samuel Comp
ors, president Of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor. He did not have
much to say and explained that he
had arranged with Gompers to have
the federation's lawyers assist coun-
sci for the miners in perfecting their
appeal from the ruling Of Federal
Judge Anderson ordering the coal
strike order Cancelled.
In labor and official circles the
meeling Of Lewis and Co,npers was
regarded rs significant. but there was
no statement concerning questions
, discussed except Lewis reference to
seek ng counsel.
! After leaving Secretary Wilson's
office Lewis said:
..Dr. Garfield represents the govern
rcent. Mr.. Wilson told me that to-
day.
This was taken by Lewis to mean
that the II per cent. wage offer was,
definitely and finally. the govern
ment'S offer and that Mr.. Wilson
proposal for 81 per cent. advance
, had been rejected by the cabinet. So
far as obtaining help for his union
Lewis realized that II per cent. was
ail he might expect.
Discussing department Of justice
:,:;In. Mr Ames said:
NH the United States attorneys in
10 ltunlinons coal fields have been
! officially advised of the result OF the
negotiations at Washington and have
hcnn given instructions relative to
! ,hp situation.
TT is, of course. obvious that the
time has come when ample protector
will be furnished all persons desiring
whether miners or operators. making
any agreement or arrangement WITH