The Topeka state journal., 1919-10-28
Official Circles Hope Miners
VIII at Least Delay WaIkout.
Expect Unions VIII Realize Sc
riOusness of Such a Tieup.
MINERS ANSWER WEDNESDAY
VIII Reply to Presidents Force
full Message to Them.
Lewis Has Called in District
Heads and Committees.

Washington, Oct 28.-Hope was
expressed in official quarters today
that the soft coal strike set for Sat
urday would be postponed, if not
called off.
Announcement that John L. Lewis,
president of the United Mine Workers
of America, had summoned members
of the full scale committee to meet
the international executive board at
indianapolis tomorrow was accepted
as an indication that President Will
sons command to the miners organ
ization not to plunge the country into
industrial chaos might be needed.
Next Move With Miners.
In full belief that officers of the
International body who ordered the
strike have power to stop it, govern
ment officials awaited the next step,
which must come from the miners
Confidential reports from the central
coal field territory indicated, 1t was
said, that not all of the mining army
of more than half a million men
would quit work.
Steps to be taken by the govern
ment to deal with the strike, if it
takes place, will be considered finally
today at a meeting of the cabinet.
There was a more hopeful view in
the governments determination to be
ready with all of its machinery to
meet the situation if the miners quit.
Roads Are Rushing Coal.
Meanwhile the railroad administra-
ton continued it's efforts to expedite
movement of coal from the mines by
ordering all coal not unloaded by
owners within 24thours to be dumped
on the ground so as to release cars
for their immediate return to the
fields. The office of Director General
Hines denies that orders had been is
sued for confiscation of coal for op-
Grafton of trains.
Army Won't Run Mines.
Senator Thomas, Democrat. Colo,
explained to the senate today that the
bill he introduced yesterday did not
provide for the use of soldiers in oper-
ating the coal mines in the event of a
strike, but merely for their use in
keeping open the channels of trans
portation. AT his request action on his
resolution pledging the support of con-
gress to the administration in preserv-
ing law and order during the strike
was deferred until tomorrow.
Miners See Little Hope.
Indianapolis. Ind, Oct. 2S.-With
the final. decision on whether or not
coal miners will strike at midnight,
Friday, less than twenty-four hours
distant there seemed little possibility
today that the strike call would be re-
scinded.
The executive committee of the
United Miners of America, twenty five
district presidents of coal producing
states and members of the miners
schedule committee will meet at head
quarters here at 10 O'Clock tomorrow
morning to draft an answer to Presi-
dent Wilson's appeal that the strike be
called off.
That the answer will say the strike
must go on unless demands are met
by mine operators, was the opinion at
miners headquarters today. Blame for
the strike will be placed on the mine
operators in the answer, it was GER
tain.
Only members of the executive COM
mittee were scheduled to attend to-
morrows meeting when it was first
called. However, due to the added
importance of the situation as a re-
suit of the presidents appeal, John
L. Lewis, acting president of the
union, sent out a call last night from
his home at Springfield, Ill, for the
i dlstrlct presidents and the scale COM
mittee members to join in the session.
Lewis called each of the members on
the telephone and urged them to at
tend.
/ Meanwhile preparations for the
! sunni SOAlAfluSQ- "A 1UU per cent
| strike was confidently predicted by
! union officials here.
Unchanged, Says Lewis.
! Springfield, Ill, Oct 28. Acting
/ President John L. Lewis of the United
: Mine Workers of America left here
! early today for Indianapolis where to-
morrow he will preside over sessions
of the executive board of the organ
i ization called to discuss the Novem-
! Der 1 strike of the bituminous coaI
miners of the country.
The situation is unchanged Lewis
declared as he boarded the train. He
said the executive board would con
slider President Wilson's statement
and probably would make a forma
reply. The whole strike situation will
: be discussed. but at this time. he de.
clared, there is no indication that the
strike order will be rescinded.
A flood of kilograms is being re.
ceived daily by him. Mr.. Lewis said
pledging support in the existing crisis
Presidents Cabinet Meets.
Washington, Oct 2S.-Presiden
! Wilson's cabinet, meeting in regular
weekly session today, was to consider
the threatened coal strike and com
plete plans for the new national in
dustrial conference.
Attornel General Palmer and Secre
tary of Labor Wilson are working ou
! (Continued IN Page TwoJ