New-York tribune., 1919-12-04

whom sufficient evidence has been OBJ
tanned. will be arrested and prose-
cuted.
New Writs To BE Sought
TO dispose of the jurisdictional ques-
tion and bring the centers OF action
and authority nearer to each commu-
nity additional injunctions similar to
the one issued by Judge Anderson
probably will be asked for throughout
The mining states. Local leaders and
officials can be dealt with more effica-
ciously in this manner, and the indi-
vidual members of the union will be
brought to understand that not only
their officers but they Themselves are
in conflict with the United States the
moment they overstep certain narrow
boundaries of conduct.
1t is quite possible that the struggle
now entering the acute phase will con-
tinue for months, and even years. II
the superior courts sustain Judge An
derson the injunction may remain in
effect for years-even after the food
control act shall have expired by limi-
tation. No doubt is entertained by the
government as to the eventual outcome
Of the contest. 1t Is admitted that
much suffering and no little industrial
restriction will result during the win
ter, but by the time the winter is ha|f
over the power of the strike will be
broken, it is predicted. and incidentally
the United Mine Workers Union will
be badly disrupted.
Operators Propose New Scale
While the Department of Justice was
swinging into action the big coal min
ing corporations of the country. an
nounced through their representatives,
who were called here for a conference,
that they had agreed upon new wage
scale for miners. The agreement will
be submitted tomorrow to Fuel Ad
mnistrator Garfield for approval. No
details were given, but it was said the
proposed scale is little higher than
the Ia per cent increase proposed by
the government and rejected by the
miners.
Little interest was manifested here
in the new offer, as the government has
decided there will be no further nego-
any kind until the miners return to
| work. From now on until some one la
beaten the struggle will be tense be-
tween the Department of Justice and
the United Mine Workers. AS the de-
partment sees the situation it is incon-
ceivable that the United States can be
beaten by any law-defying organiza-
tion Of it's citizens.
Officials are much encouraged by re-
ports from all the coal fields for last
| Mondays production, which show that,
| although it followed meetings of the
miners generally held on Sunday to
| discuss the Garfield proposition and
the unsuccessful negotiations between
the miners and operators, the decline
in production was only per cent from
the highest day since the strike order
was cancelled by Judge Anderson's d.
rection.
While the exact figures are withheld,
it can be stated with approximate ac
curacy that the soft coal production did
not fall below 40 per cent of the nor
NAL on Monday, and that it has been
higher than so per cent at times since
November 8. A gradual increase is ex-
pected from now on. If the aim of
the union leaders that rs per cent of
the soft coal of the country is normally
mined by union men is correct, it is ap-
parent that with SO per cent produc-
ton union members are turning ou.
about half of it. In other words, one
third Of the union productive capacity
has returned to work since November 8
1t is expected that the ranks Of the
workers will be steadily increased from
now on. 1t is asserted the ranks of
the strikers have been broken in great
er or less degree in every mining dis
tr ct in the country, except the central
competitive field. where they are 100
J per cent intact.
The factors that are expected to send
the men back to work from now on
are: First, that there is no longer
any chance of settlement of the d s.
putc by negotiations; that most of he
strikers are reaching the end of their
,cos, and that they are now real
at the heavy earning months
are slipping BY Coal that
now never will be mined,
will be no making up of lost
ne dull season will come in
tno slt,ng and summer as usual and
to months of strike idleness will be
added the usual time lost for lack of
demand for coal.
The time has come when the shutting
off by injunction of strike benefits will
be severely felt. There is the further
prospect that within the next month,
rather than see their organization
wither away, the leaders will take
affirmative action and urge the men to
return to work, although this is ad-
mitted to be slim hope
! In the view of Attorney General