Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-10-26

The president declined to enter in- to the merits of the controversy, be- tween the miners and operators. but declared that the strike, which he characterized as the most far reach ing proposal in the nations history, to restrict production and distribu- tion of all necessities of life, had ap- parently been ordered without a vote of the individual miners concerned For this reason the president served notice "that the law will be enforced and the means will be found to pro- tect the nation in any emergency that may arise out of this unhappy business"
 Hit Rich and Poor.
 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 missing, detained at his home by ill- ness, met first in the morning and again tonight. Read Admiral Cray son, the presidents physician was summoned to the evening session. Apparently, he agreed to the subbis- sion of the matter to his patient for soon after the cabinet meeting broke up and the presidents state. ment was issued.
 The president, in his statement, re- viewed the steps leading up Co tha strike call, including the Cleveland convention of the United Mine Work CTS of American one month ago, Ut which the demands for thirty hour week and a sixty per cent increase in wages were formulated.
 The war in itself, the president asserted, was still fact, peace nego- tiations still in suspense and troops still being transported. Because of sideration that victims of the strike would be among both the rich and the poor of the nation, the presi- dent said the proposed waikout could only be considered as unlaw- full, 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.
 The presidents statement follows: "On September 23, 1919, the con- vention of the United Mine Workers of America, at Cleveland, Ohio, adopted a proposal declaring that all contracts in the bituminous field shall be declared as having automat- ically expired November 1, 1919, and making various demands, including sixty per cent increase in wages and the adoption of six hour work day and five day week; and providing that, in the central competitive field before November 1, 1919, the nation al officials should be authorized and instructed to call general strike of all bituminous miners and mine ] workers, throughout the United States effective November 1, 1919. Pursuant to these instructions, the officers of the organization have issued a call to make the strike ef- fective November 1. This is one of ! the gravest steps ever proposed in, this country, affecting the economic welfare and the domestic comfort and health of the people. It is pro- posed to abrogate an agreement as to wages which was made with the sanction of the United States fuel administration and which was to run during the continuance of the war. But not beyond April 1, 1920. This strike is proposed at time when the government is making the most earnest effort to reduce the cost of living, and has appealed with sue cess to other classes of workers to postpone similar disputes until a reasonable opportunity has been af- forded for dealing with the cost of living. It is recognized that the
 strike would practically shut off the country's supply of it's principal fuel at a time when interference with that supply is calculated to create 9 disastrous fuel famine All inter-
 ests would be affected alike by q strike of this character, and it's vic tims would be not the rich only, but the poor and the needy as we'll. those least able to provide in ad. vance a fuel supply for domestic use.
 l Is Unlawful Strike.
 "It would involve the shutting down of countless industries and the
 throwing out of employment of a large number of the workers of the country. It would involve stopping l the operation of railroads. electric Night and gas plants. street railway lines and other public utilities. and l the shippin9 IN nd from thu cou!- U ts K ths s sil s vit6 snpplIss