Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-11-05
SEE LONG FIGHT
IN COAL FIELDS
OF THE NATION
Spokesman For Both Miners
and Operators Appear
PeSSimistic
By Associated Press.

Washington. Nov. 15.-Despits the
spirit of hopefulness in official quar-
ters that the end of the coal strike
was near, spokesmen here for miners
and operators declared last night the
country was in for a protracted in
fields.
Labor leaders a bit more specific
than operators, estimated that ALI
union mines would remain closed at
least four weeks. other estimates
cut that time in half. but officials. al
7 though without word of direct efforts
to bring the two sides together, still
held firmly to the view that the strike
would not run that long.
There were no confidential reports
to the Department of Justice from its
agents in the fields. and reports to
Washington headquarters of the
operators merely announced that
overnight conditions were unchanged
Returns to Capital
Returning here from a trip to the
West, Fuel Administrator Garfield
| took part in a number of conferences
during the day, but it was stated of
| ficially that he had not discussed set
tlement of the strike with operators.
]. d. A. Morrow. vice-president and
executive secretary of the National
Coal Association. and former MEM
Der of the fuel administration staff
was among those who saw DIR. Gar
| field. The meeting caused widespread
reports that DR.. Garfield had been
delegated to act as mediator.
Attorney General Palmer. in LETT
ter to-day to a shipbuilders' council
which protested against injunction
proceedings. sounded a new note OF
hope by declaring his belief that IL
the Federal Court at Indianapolis on
Saturday held the strike illegal, the
miners. "as law abiding citizens will
discontinue it."
Officers of the conciliation depart
ment of the Department of Labor said
no offers had been received from
either side to attempt settlement or
| the strike through mediation.
/ Meet Big Task
| Government officials have found the
task of dealing with all sorts or
rumors little more difficult than
they had thought because of the large
number cropping up from all Aes:
Some of the reports to-day concerned
| freight embargoes, which have not
been imposed. The railroad admins.
tration denied that forty per cent. OF
| the railway employees were idle be-
cause of the strike.
| Vice-President Morrow. of the Ma
| tional Coal Administration. whose
membership produces about two
thirds of the country's soft coal out
put. took exception yesterday to
protest against Interference with coal
! prices sent to the Assorney General
! by w. A. Marshall. president OF tne
| Wholesale Trade Association of New
York. In a letter to Mr.. Palmer. Mr.
! Morrow said:
! "On behalf of the National Coal AS
sociation. / wish to advise you that
Mr.. Marshall is not authorized TO
speak for this association. So far as
| | know he is not authorized to speak
| fer the bituminous coal producers OF
the United states. To the best of my
knowledge the bituminous coal opera
tors are not in sympathy with the
| sentiments expressed in Mr.. Mar
and ready to conform fully to any
program of the government which 's
deemed necessary to protect the pup
in the present situation"