The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-10-27

dc in the event the Presidents
must be kept in full and continl
Considering the temper of labor.
official Washington took the view that
while there was hope of compliance
by the half million miners who had
been ordered out, there was NO abso-
lutte assurance that the Presidents
letter-part appeal and part command
would bring peace to the ceal fields.
But there seemed to be NO doubt of the
governments determination to see that
the people obtained an adequate coal
and permit the nations vast industries
to continue operation.
While declining to comment on the
future course of action should the
strike take place. members of the
Presidents cabinet intimated that the
government was not sitting with fold
ed hands in the face of threatened in
dustria1 disaster.
LEWIS UNCOMMITTED
John L. Lewis, president of the
United Mine Workers of America. the
one man whose word would have most
weight with the half million ready to
walk out. was out of touch with labor
leaders here. while speeding home
Suard to take personal charge of the
strike Lewis left Washington last
night for Springfield, Ill, proclaiming
to the last that the situation was I'M
changed and that the union was still
ready and willing to negotiate a new
wage agreement
So far rs it concerned the contro-
versy between thu miners and opera
tors the outstanding declaration by
President Wilson was the wartime
agreement, which the miners contend
no longer exists still is in full force
and effect and will stand "durins the
continuance of the war, but not beyond
April 1, 192O.'
Looking at it in "a practical way
Lewis and the full scale committee
have steadfastly maintained that the
wargended with the armistice and that
the miners for full year, nave
worked at the old wage as their volun-
tary contribution to the job OF heip-
ing the country get back to normal.
There was suggestion tonrsht thae
that cabinet might decide to send sec
sretary OF Labor Wilson to Indianapolis
10 confer with the executive board OF
the United Mine Workers of America
which will meet there Wednesday
Labor leaders here said that in view
of the efforts made by the secretary
10 settle the strike and in the light OF
the Presidents emphatic announce
ment that the mines had to remain
open, a personal word spoken to mem
bers of the board might pave the way
for peace.
CAN BE CALLED OFF
The strike call was issued and
signed by executive officers OF the
United Mine workers lin conformity
with the authority vested by the IN
ternational convention" at Cleveland
on September %, and while President
Lewis declined while here to discuss
this phase of the question it is held
that the men who had the power 70
order the strike likewise have the
power to call it Oft. Some labor ohi-
Gals said the executive board could
act for the whole organization. ano
that Lewis and the other executive
officers could hold up or withdraw the
strike order, if they saw mt to do SO.
James Lord, president of the mine
workers division of the American
Federation of Labor, declined to com
ment on the strike situation.
II was said tonight there would bs
ro change of the governments policy
respecting the miners opinion until \
was definitely known whether tbs
Unions would insist on the strike. Blu
there seemed to be no doubt of the fac
that ample protection would be af'
torded miners who stuck to the job. In
asmuch as there was no strike vote by
the men the belief prevails in som'
quarters that not all of the thousands
affected by the order to walk out viii
obey.
MINERS TO MOVE NEXT
The next move towards Settlemen
of the strike it was said, must conn
from the miners, the operators hav
ing accepted Gin its entirety Presl
dent wilson's proposal made to tn
joint conference Friday that the tw'
sides start with a new slate, nego
tiate their differences. resorting to ar
bitration only when negotiations faile
and keep the mines in operation Sec
rotary Wilson has explained that tn
miners agreed to negotiate, but he'll
over for future consideration the ques
ton of arbitration and withdrawal o
the strike order,
Officials believe it is possible to re
open the case in view of Lewis state
ment that the miners were willing [
negotiate a new wage agreement tn
big bone of contention. An offer
this effect may be presented to tn
executive board at Indianapoli
Wednesday, il that body does not ae