The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-11-22

23y federal authorities as absolutely
] imperative There was no evidence,
as presented to the cabinet that the
scale committees, called here last
week to negotiate a new wage agree
naent had made the least .headway.
Report from the central competitive
fields, embracing the states of Illi-
nois. Indiana, Ohio and western Penn
sylyania, strongholds Of the United
Mine Workers of America, showed all
mines shut down and not enough
coal coming from nonunion;plants in
other states to meet the normal de-
naapds by several million tons.
Other reports from widely sepa-
rated sections brought the same story
Of rapidly vanishing coal supply,
with indications that hundreds Of in
arstrial plants would be forced to
close shortly unless coal production
was put back at normal. Il the view
OF many officials the situation was
critical enough to demand drastic ac-
ton.
xtAlthough he would not discuss the
nature of, the statement he was pre-
pared to lay before the operators and
miners, it was said on high authority
thar DIR. Garfield was prepared to pre-
sent the situation forcibly to the chief
representatives OF. the mine owners
and mine workers There was no in
tiHation as to what . direction gov
crnmental action would take in case
the deadlock continued,
steps taken by Kansas to operate
the mines under government authority
and fear by both sides that other
states would do likewise, were urged
as a, strong reason. for quick settle
ment of all wage disputes.
The operators scale committee sent
word to the miners that it was not
ready to meet them in joint session.
Commenting upon a. statement issued
tonight by their executive committee
denying that the conference rs being
held up because of differences and
indeeisions on the part Of the opera
tors" spokesmen. for the operators
declared their entire. policy has been
under consideration in their secret
session.
!. The probable attitude Of the admin
istration of the fact that the miners
have not returned to work were said
to. be the principal subjects which
have occupied their time. The failure
of the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea to tell the men to return to their
jobs was said to have rect the nego-
tiations in very much the same state
as when the threat of a strike caused
the break up Of the Buffalo meeting.
Some of the operators held the view
that the government, acting through
Fuel Administrator Garfield was a
third party" to the contracts and
that the wage scale laid down by the
Washington agreement could not be
changed without the authorization Of
Dr. Garfield and assurances as to what
changes would be allowed in maxi
MUM coal prices.
Other operators wished to know the
views OF the director general Of rail
roads as the railroad administration
is the largest single purchaser of coal
in the country. The department OF
5tsaice was the third governmental!
agency involved in the discussions.
11lere being a strong feeling among
the operators that the government
had not fulfilled its duty in merely
ordering the withdrawal Of the strike
order, but should prosecute vigorously
naisaers refusing to go back to work.
Plans to present this phase of the
situation to the attorney general were
changed when DR.. Garfield's call for
o. w9C received.
The action Of Governor Allen in
throwing Kansas mines into the
hands Of a receiver adn1ittedly was
causing operators much concern. Har-
ry y. Taylor. president OF the ma
YienaI association. and Fred w Lu-
kens of Kansas City, president OF ths
Southwestern Coal Operators asso-
citation, conferred with Assistant At
torney General An1es with respect to
.1egal phases Of the situation Mr.
Lukens telegraphed Governor Allen
that his organization was ready to
make wage scales which may be ad-
iusted later, retroactive to the. date
ON which the miners return to work
Generators, he said. will meet the un-
ion officials Of district No. il en-
hra cling all Of Kansas for discussion OF
MI the new wage contracts imne-
Aiately after the conference here is
hded.
/ k.If Governor Allen can get the
: kae.rs back to work that's fine" said
l. ems. who added that the opera
would be justified in seeking an
snction in a federal court if the