The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-11-04
OPERATORS TO RECEIVE
ULTlMATUNL HERE TODAY

ULTlMATCM HERE TODAY
North Dakota operators will receive
an ultlmatum this afternoon from Gov
crn0r Frazier, the industrial commits
sion, and President Henry Dreilllan.
head of the 9th district of the United
Mine Workers, who has been in almost
constant conference with the governor
and the industrial commission since
last saturday morning A final confer
ehce between brennan and the indus
trial board was held Tuesday after
noon. John N. Hagen, commissioner
OF agriculture and labor, and a mem
Der OF the industrial board, announc-
ed two hours before the time set for
the conference with the coal operators
that he could not make public the
miners demands which would be SUBJ
mitted this afternoon.
MAY ASK SIX-HOUR DAY
lt has been reported in coal mining
circles that following the encourage
ment which President brennan has re.
ceived from Governor Frazier, the
miners, through the governor and the
industrial commission, will demand this
afternoon the same conditions which
the United Mine Workers in the CEN
tral field have set: A sixty percent.
increase in wages; six-hour day, an;l
five-hour week. Commissioner
Hagan would not confirm this report.
The governor was inaccessible all
morning, being closeted, during that
time with William Lemke, vice Pres,
Of the National Nonpartisan League,
who steamed in last night from st.
Taul to have hand in the concoction
Of the dose which the coal operators
will be asked to swallow this after
noon. Mr.. Lemke was busy with a
dictionary when interviewed this morn
ing, and he had no predictions to make.
TOTTEN FIRST "OPERATOR"
George A. Totten, Jr., TOwnleyite
who ranks well up in the inner circles,
was the first operator" to show on the
scene this morning. Mr.. Totten arriv-
ed early in the day. He is associat-
cd with Porter Kimball, another Town
lcyite and incorporation of Townley en-
tcrprises. in the "People's Fuel, Light,
Power and Clay Products Co.. of Fargo
which is said to have a real coal mine
at Kenmare and prospects in other
l:arts of the state. Mr.. Totten has al
leady offered to permit Governor
razier to operate the extensive pro-
pcrties of the Peoples concern He no
doubt will be strong supporter of the
league-labor program presented for the
consideration of the operators this af-
ernOOn.
PUBLIC NOT INVITED
The public, which will have moth
ing more to do with this matter than
to pay any increase in the cost Of coaI
which may result from the acceptance
of FraZier's demands. or to freeze if
these demands are not accepted and
The mines are shut down, is not In
vted to this afternoons conference.
There was a question in Commissioner
Hagan's mind this morning whether
the public would be admitted should
any of its representatives attempt to
intrude.
COAL DISTRIBUTION
The distribution of coal in MOI III
Dakota is already under government
jurisdiction, as indicated by the follow
ing order received yesterday by the
railway commission from the federal
railway administration:
Washington, D. c.. Nov. 10.
Board of Railroad Commissioners,
Bismarck, N. D..
Constructions issued last light by
Director General to regional directors
provide that distribution Of coal for
emergency consumption shall lie made
il accordance with priority list con-
tanning following order of preference.
First railroads; second army, navy to-
gether with other departments of the
federal government; third, State and
County departments and institutions;
fourth, public utilities; fifth retail
dealers; sixth, manufacturing plants
On war industries boards preference
list; seventh, manufacturing plants not
on war industries boards preference
list: eighth, jobbers; ninth, lake and
tenth, tidewater if cases of emergency
are drawn to your attention suggest
matter be taken up directly with the
federal manager of railroad which
would make delivery of coal. Federal
managers will take up all such mat
ters with regional coal committees
which are being established to pass
Oh such applications.
MAX THELEN, Director.
MILHOLLAN WOULD RESIST
In a statement made to the Townley
press Monday. Rail Commissioner
Frank Milhollan who is vice president
of the state federation Of labor,
announced that any effort upon
the part Of the government to allot
North Dakota Ignite outside Of the
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