The Washington times., 1919-12-01
COAL ACTION PUT
0FFBYG0VERNORS
Chiefs of Midwest States De-
eide on Second Conference
Next Sunday.
Continued from First page.)

Il
Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. to see
whether the offer of a IA per cent in
crease had induced any substantial
number of miners to return to work,
officials today studied the smaller. but
not less serious condition existing in
the Georges Creek and Upper Potomac
fields, feeding Washington, where an
absolute tie-up prevails.
Dispatches from Cumberland today
say that not a single miner Is at work
in the Georges Creek district. More
than 5000 men are out. making con-
dition even more serious than that
which prevailed at the outset of the
strike. In the Upper Potomac field
1000 are staying out of the pits, and
all the observers in that section think
that both sides have settled down to
q finish fight, and that il will be
long drawn-out affair.
The operators seem to be not un-
willing that their mines should be
closed down and that the miners have
forced the issue, according to reports.
The district officials of the United
Nine Workers say that the men are
acting as individuals; that no strike
orders have been given secretly, and
that even the holding Of meetings of
the men have been discouraged by
them. One of the most significant
features of the situation Is that many
of the miners are seeking other en-
ploynent some having taken jobs in
construction work in Cumberland.
Certain small mines in the Cumber-
land region are being operated by
owners. members of their families and
friends so as to insure coal for local
consumption.
The Department of Justice is tax
ing steps to prevent radicals from in
citing miners in the present situation.
The Bureau of Investigation has sent
otu instructions to agents to "go the
limit" in rounding up the reds" in
the coal districts. The dynamiting of
a railroad at Pittsburgh, Kan. will
be thoroughly probed by the bureau.
In no event will the situation be al
lowed to drift much longer. on account
of the depleted supplies of coal in the
central West, and the fact that ap-
peals from Europe for fuel are Of a
nature which cannot longer be ig-
nored. The tons held up at the sea-
board by the export embargo will be
released as soon as the normal do
mestic production is assured.
With official figures showing tha.
coal production is but so per cent Of
normal the Fuel Administration and
the Railroad Administration were to-
more drastic steps for the conserva-
tion Of coal than those now enforced
The closing OF all non-essential indus
tries is expected to be the next STEP
The Department of Justice is pre-
pairing for court action against botn
miners and operators who may ylu-
late the law and attempt to restrict
production. The terms of the in
junction granted in Indianapolis VIII
be most rigidly enforced. and will be
held TO cover both the miners and the
operators.
The coal operators wage scale
committee will meet here again on
Wednesday to work out details Of tn,
IA per cent increase which they have
offered to the miners.
The entire situation today seems to
be one OF waiting for Developments 8,
which rest In the hands of the min
ers themselves. II the miners refuse
to return to their work, then the Gov
srnment will be forced to take mure
drastic stepa