The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1919-11-08
GENERAL COAL STRIKE,
100 PER CENT EFFECTIVE

| So far as surface indications are con-
cerned, there appears to be but little pros
pect of an early termination of the general
coal strike now prevailing over the country
However, it is impossible to say what even
Qualities may transpire at any time.
Amedee J. Casey, editor of the american
Coal Journal, whose views are regarded as
having considerable weight, predicts that
the strike will not be 1onglived for three
reasons:
FIRST, the temporary injunction issued by
Judge A. B. Anderson of the federal court
in Indianapolis, on October 81, forbids off
cials of the United Mine Workers from
directing the strike Up to the present time,
the officials are obeying the mandate, and
| it has been demonstrated that no strike can
succeed without guidance by central au-
| thority.
SECOND, the same injunction tres up the
funds of the miners organization so far as
payment of strike benefits is concerned, and
strike of the magnitude of this one can
not be carried on without funds.
THIRD, the personal element entered
largely into the Cleveland convention of
the United Mine Workers, where the de-
mands were formulated and the strike
threat approved Therefore, it is reason
able to believe the Mine Workers officials
will welcome pretext to call the strike and
save their faces.
Whether Mr. Casey's opinions will prove
correct or not, remains to be seen. One
writer has compared the whole situation
to powder magazine which spark may
ignite at any time. Strong undercurrents
are at work to bring the strike to a speedy
termination but, so far, these seem to have
met with but little success. The chief
parties in the controversy = the miners Off
cials, the mine owners or operators and gov
ernment oficials-are standing firm in their
attitudes.
President John L. Lewis, of the United
Mine Workers of America, has issued the
following statement:
IF the Injunction is vacated, the miners
will be willing Immediately to meet the
operators in Joint conference to negotiate a
wage SCALE"
This shows no withdrawal from his pre-
viously announced position, however, as he
has repeatedly stated that the strike could
be terminated only through negotiations be-
wv cell lllC OpCld dlOIS dIlu the In1HeIS.
H. T. Brewster, chairman of the coal
operators scale committee, has repeated his
assertion that the operators will not reopen
negotiations with the miners until they re-
turn to work pending final settlement of
difficulties by an arbitration board
1t is claimed that the government intends
to go into the Indianapolis federal court on
Saturday, November g. to urge that the
temporary restraining order be made per-
manent. Samuel Gompers, President of the
American Federation of Labor, has issued
bill for vacation of the injunction as an
inducement for negotiations which would
end the strike.
Attorney General Palmer maintains that
if the indianapolis court makes the injunc-
tion permanent, the question as to the IL
legality of the strike will be determined.
He says:
IF the court adjudges the strike illegal,
| apprehend that the miners, as law-abiding
citizens, will discontinue it."
1t is conceded by the mine operators that
the strike is practically one hundred per
cent effective, about 425,OOO soft coal min
ers being out.
One of the first acts of the government
was the reestablishment of the priority list
of the fuel administration so that the rail-
roads, public utilities and essential indus
tries will have first call on any coal avail
able. On the opening day of the strike
thousands of cars of coal in transit were
seized by the railroads, under orders from
the government, in order to keep lines of
transportation open as long as possible
Executive orders fixing maximum prices
for coal also were signed by President Will
son, thus forestalling profteering.