Arizona republican., 1919-10-27
NATION AWAITS MINERS REPLY
 TO PRESIDENT
Future. Government Ac- ton, In Event Present Plan Fails, Not Disclosed Wilson Holds That The Wartime Agreement Is Still Effective
ERepubIIcan 4. p. Leased Wirel

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26-The whole country waited expectantly today for the miners answer to President Will son's blunt command that the soft coal strike ordered for Saturday be called off. There was not a word, however, to show where the United Mine Workers of America stod, or what the government would do in the event the presidents solemn warning that the miners must be kept in full and continuous operation was ignored.
 Considering the temper of labor, ut- ficial Washington took the view that while there was hope of compliance by the half million miners, who had been ordered out, there was no ab- solute assurance that the presidents letter-part appeal and part command would bring peace to the coal fields. But there seemed to be no doubt of the governments determination to see that the people obtained an adequate coal supply to keep them from suffer ing and permit the nations vast in- dustries to continue operation.
 Intimate Quick Action
 While declining naturally to com ment on the future course of action should the strike take place, members of the presidents cabinet intimated that the government woul dnot sit with folded hands in the face of threatened industrial disaster.
 John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers of America, the one man whose word would have most weight with the half million ready to walk out, was out of touch with labor leaders here, while speeding homewi,rd to take personal charge of the strike. Lewis left Washington last night for Springfield, Ills, proclaiming to
 last that the situation was unchanged and that the union was still ready and willing to negotiate a new wage agree ment
 So far as it concerned the contro- versy between the miners and oper- ators, the outstanding declaration b9 President Wilson was that the war time agreement, which the miners con tend no longer exists, still is in full force and effect and will stand "dur- Ing the continuance of the war, but not beyond April 1, 1920" Looking at 1t in a practical way Lewis and the full scale committee have steadfastlv maintained that the war ended with the armistice and that the miners. for a full year have worked at the old wage as their voluntary contribution to the job of helping the country get back to normal
 Still Hope for Peace
 There was suggestion tonight that the cabinet might decide to send Sec retary of Labor Wilson to Indianapoljs to confer with the executive board of the United Mine Workers of America | which will meet there Wednesday Labor leaders here said that in view of the efforts made by the secretary to settle the strike and in the light ot the presidents emphatic announce ment that the mines had to rernair open, personal word spoken to mem bers of the board might pave the wa1 l for peace.
 The strike call was issued and signef by executive officers of the ITnitef Mine Workers "in conformity with the | authority vested by the internationa convention" at Cleveland on Sentem. 1 Der 23, and while President Lewis de clined while here to discuss this pbas, or the question it is held by the me1 who had the power to order the strik, likewise have the power to call it off Some labor officials said the executiv. board could act for the whole organfza. ton, and that Lewis and the other ex ecutive officers could hold up or with