Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-10-31

Washington, Oct. S0.-The govern
ment put on its fighting clothes today
to meet the coal strike due to start
Saturday.
While order after order popped out
with startling wartime swiftness, the
long arm of the law reached out to
protect the public and those miners
willing to remain at work in the face
of union commands to quit
Most drastic of all moves during
the day was the order of the railroad
administration for seizure of coal in
transit for roads equ'ring it, and RAJ
tioning of stocks on hand to essential
industries.
So far as the government Is able to
prevent there will be no profiteering
while the grim spectre of winter, with
coal bins dangerously low or bare.
looms big and close at hand. Almost
the first step today was drafting of an
order, formally issued tonight, fixing
a maximum price for all grades of
coal. establishment of the priori-
ties list will put coal where it is most
needed, and il 1t comes to that the
government will eurtail consumption.
Wilson Takes Hand In Fight.
Breaking down the barriers which
had kept members of the cabinet
away from his sick room, Pres ient
Wilson took hand in the fight To-
day and personally approved every
detail in the general plan of dealing
with conditions likely to arise with the
walk-out of the soft coal miners. For
twenty minutes the president, propped
in bed, went over with Attorney Gen
eral Palmer the various steps, heard
what orders had been issued and was
put in intimate touch with all ar
rangements The president, it was
said, was especially gratified to learn
of protective measures, both for the
homes and the mines
The coal strike took precedence
over the peace treaty in the senate,
which for four hours debated and
ther adopted a resolution pledging its
support to the government in main
tanning order during the present in
dustrial emergency. Efforts to have
the house take similar action failed
because of opposition by republican
leaders.
Governments Stand Approved.
In and out of congress, however,
sentiment seemed to turn through one
groove and there were expressions of
general approval of the goVernm
determination to keep the mines in
full operation.
While the only statement given out
after the special meeting of the cabi
net dealt with issuance of an order re-
lating to the fixing of a maximum coal
price. the members were understood to
have considered seriously means Of
protecting miners who will not strike.
Reports received from confidential
sources during the past few days, Of
ficials said indicated that a consider
able number would keep on turning
out coal if afforded protection, and
this, officials added, would he given
in abundant measure
State and city police and regular
constabulary forces will be pressed
into service first, and troops will he
called only as last resort, according
to those familiar with the program.
Secretary Daniels announced today
that sailors and marines will be
shifted to land duty and attached toI
military organizations, II their serv
ices are demanded by the president
There has been no statement, how
ever, as to the policy or determina-
tion of using troops. Much will de-
pend on what happens after the mines
shut down tomorrow night
Lewis Sends Rasping Note.
Satisfied there was no longer hope
of averting the strike. but eager to
have miners and operators mediate,
government officials felt that rasp-
ing note had been sounded by John
J.. Lewis, president of the United Mine
Workers Of America in telegram to
Secretary of Labor Wilson. attacking
President Wilson for his part in try
ing to bring peace to the industry.
The mine workers president was re-