Bisbee daily review., 1919-10-30

plication whatever to the large num- Der of such contracts which expire at a fixed date without regard for the war period. The armistice did not end the war and the courts in many cases have held that the war emer- gency statutes are still in force; ;ae same rule must apply to war emer sency contracts The congress has held to this position so late as Octo- Der 22, when an act of congress was approved making even more effective the fuel and food control act.
 The suspension of the restrictions as to the price of coal is not neces- ssrily permanent. and conditions war rant renewal of these restrictions at this time, and yet the government, if it re-instates the order fixing a maximum price, would be absolutely helpless to protect the people against exhorbitant prices of the product if the contracts made under its sane tion should now be deliberately broken.
 ''The proposed strike, if carried to it's logical conclusion, will paralyze transportation and industry. It will deprive unnumbered thousands of men who are making no complaint about their employment, of their right to earn livlihood for themselves and tlieir families; will put cities in dark ress, and, if continued only for few days, will bring cold and hunger to millions of our people; if continued for a montht, it will leae death and starvation in it's wake. It would be a more deadly attack upon the life of the nation than an invading army.
 By enacting the food and fuel con trol act, congress has recognized the importance in the present clrcum- stances. of maintaining proouctfon and distribution of the necessaries ot life. and has made it unlawful for any concerted action, agreement or the arrangement to be made by two or more persons to limit the facilities of transportation and production, or to restrict the supply and distribution Of fuel. or to aid or abet the doing of any act having this purpose or effect Making a strike effective under the circumstances which I have c=escribed amounts to such concerted action or arrangement.
 ' Ut is the solemn duty of the de- partment of justice to enforce thls statute. We have enforced it in many cases. We must continue to do so, irrespective of the persons involved in it's violation. I hope it will not be necessary to enforce it in this case. Indeed. | am hearing from many sources that large numbers of the miners themselves do not wish to quit work, and will not do so if as sured of the protection of the govern ment. of which they properly feel themselves part.
 "tI is probably unnecessary for me to say that such protection will every where be given, so that men may eX ercise their undoubted right of con jtinuing to work under such terms and conditions as they shall see fit. The facts present situation which chal- lenges the supremacy of the law and every resource of the government will pe brought to bear to prevent the national disaster which would inevit- ably result from the cessation of min ing operations"
 , Refusal of the miners organization i to withdraw the strike order, sur prised officials, who changed from a
 hopeful to a fighting attitude Off
 cials were determined to see that men
 who do not strike will be protected
 in and out of the mines. even if that
 means the presence of troops.