Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-10-28
OFFICIAL Of MINE
UNION SAYS STRIKE
ORDER MUST STAND
President Wilson'S Plea for
Arbitration Intellectual.
Nations Interests to Be
Protected, Says President

| vember /, William Green, secretary
treasurer, said today. They cannot
respond to President Wilson's appeal
for withdrawal of the strike order
without action of a convention be-
| cause the strike was called by the
convention which met in Cleveland
| Mr.. Green said.
In a statement today, Governor
Goodrich strongly supported Presi-
dent Wilson in his stand. He said:
II am glad to know that President
Wilson has taken a most positive
stand agains tthe calling of a coal
strike on the first day of November.
1t is the duty of every good citizen
of the nation to support the presi-
dent in this emergency. He can
count upon the support of Indiana in
every step he takes, not only to pre-
vent the carrying out of the strike,
but in preserving order and in re-
Stunning work in the mines at the ear
Hest possible date"
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26.-Holding
the impending coal strike to be
not only unjustifiable but also I'M
lawful, President Wilson in state
ment issued tonight with the sup
port of his entire cabinet, called on
the coal miners of the nation, both
union officers and members, to res
cind the strike order effective No
vember 1.
The president declined to enter
into the merits Of the controversy
between the miners and operators,
but emphatically declared that the
strike, which he characterized as
the most far-reaching proposal in
the nations history to restrict pro-
duction and distribution of all neces-
saries of life, had apparently been
ordered without a vote of the in
dividual miners concerned. For this
reason, the president served definite
notice that the law will be en-
forced and the means will be found
to protect the interests Of the nation
in any emergency that may arise out
of this unhappy business"
Cabinet Holds Two Sessions
The presidents statement was Is
sued tonight after his cabinet had
gone over the entire situation with
Secretary Wilson, of the labor de-
partment, whose efforts to bring
miners and operators together in
negotiations had failed. The cabi-
net, with only Secretary Lansing de-
tanned at his home by illness, miss
ing, met first in the morning and
again tonight. Rear Admiral Gray
son, the presidents personal ply
sician was summoned to the eve
ming session. Apparently he agreed
to the submission of the matter TO
his patient, for soon afterward the
cabinet meeting broke up and the
presidents statement was issued.
The president in his statement re-
viewed the steps leading up to the
strike call, including the Cleveland
convention of the United Mine Work
ers' of America one month ago, at
which the demands for a thirty-hour
week and sixty per cent increase
in wages was formulated.
The war in itself, the president as
serted, still was a fact, peace ne
gotiations still in suspense and
troops still being transported. Be
cause of these factors and the added
consideration that victims of the
strike would be among both the rich
and the poor of the nation, the presi-
der said the proposed wa1KoUt could
only be considered as unlawful, and
as the nations executive entrusted
with enforcement of the law, he
would use the means at his disposal
to prevent any stoppage of work.
Mediation Offered
The services of the government
as a mediator, offered yesterday by
the president through Secretary Will
son but Nat accepted, were again
held out, the president declaring that
he held himself in readiness at the
request of either or both sides to
appoint a commission to investigate
the situation, to effect an orderly
settlement Of disputed question with
due recognition of the rights Of the
miners, the operators and the public.
There was no direct fntimat1on OF
what steps the cabieet had discussed
to prevent stoppage of work should
the presidents solemn warning to
the miners to rescind the strike
order fail of result. 1t was regarded
as significant, however, that atten-
ito. was drawn in White House cir
cles to the statements made by Sec
rotary Baker in a recent address in
Cleveland, when Mr.. Baker an
nounced that department commanders
had been directed to furnish troops
at the request of governors without
Major General Wood, in the central
department already has exercised that
authority in the steel strike situa-
ton.
It was officially learned tonight
that the government is relying on
the Lever act to combat the coal
strike should it develop to the stage
where it would cause distress and
suffering throughout the country.
This was determined on at the cab
met meeting today.
Scope of Lever Act
The Lever act gives the president
broad powers to take any steps neceS-
sary to insure the continuous pro
duction r." nee o~sities during the
war emergency which extends until
the proclamation of peace. Attorney
General Palmer has decided the gov
eminent has ample power to act I'M
der this law against any one who
kalts production. Fuel is specifical-
ly mentioned in the act, as is the
word "mine."
Without further authority, it was
OCinted out the president could tax,
ever the mines for governmental or
Grafton as it is provided any factory. !
establishment, mine or plant" can
be thus seized to insure production
Under this the government has pow |
er to act against strikers, as being
guilty of stopping production.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
READY FOR STRIKE CALL |