Norwich bulletin., 1919-11-06

Washington, Nov. 5-OrganiZed la bor's proposal for ending the coal strike through withdrawal of injunc- ton proceedings against officers of the United Mine Workers of America was biuntly rejected today by the depart ment of justice.
 The governments answer to the union suggestion advanced by Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor was given by Assistant Attorney General Ames, who declared the strike in itself was violation of law and that as long as it continued the only place to fight it out was in court. s-A
 Labor leaders, visibly disturbed by this refusal, agreed with the operators on one important point-that the set tiement of the governments position swept away all hope of immediate settlement Of the strike. involving more than 100000 miners in 2S states.
 The restraining order issued by Fed- eral Judge Anderson at Indianapolis last week was made returnable Satur- day. Counsel for the miners will go into court that day and ask for dis nissal of all proceedings One of two things will happen; the court, accord ing 10 officials here, either will grant the plea of the miners or continue the temporary injunction until d date for q final hearing and put into effect a fuel administrator was in conference continually oday checking up on the mandatory order to John l.. Lewis, act ing president of the miners organiza- ton to call off the strike.
 Whatever the court does, it in itself Is expected to be the next important move move bearing on the question of settling the strike.
 Representatives of the miners and other labor leaders emphasized today that withdrawal of court proceedings would bring peace to the coalafields within forty-eight hours. Lewis's st2tement that the miners would be willing 10 negotiate a new wage agree they said, that the slate would be wiped clean and demands for a five Way week and q six hour day, together With 50 per cent. increase withdrawn But labor leaders declared there was 10 hope of miners returning to work el a body until the new wage agree nent had been ratified. p. .-,
 President Wilson, sick in bed. yet slindful of the serious condition con fronting the country with prpotract- ed strike issued orders giving Fuel Administrator Garfield authorffy to PAANNF anu SIlD- ment of all fuel. including anthracite. This action restrodei all powers vested Tn Dr. Garfield during the war, The fuel administrator was in Conference continually today, checking up on the coal supply and arranging with Direct o- General Hines of tie railroad ad : nlinistration for its distribution where c,ost needed E5' f < -17llt'
 As was the, case yesterday. there were few reports to the dcpartnnent, of Justice froInsits agents in the field. and generally the strike situation was de- seFtbed as unchanged Reports to the Washington headquarters, of the oper- Etors from agents in West Virginia operations 5p various fields of that state, most of these having opened
 With colder weather over most of the country. and the big decrease in production, few 'disquieting reports came from different sections where available coal stock was Limited. The 1uel administrator of Iowa sounded all alarm In telegram to Director Gen eral Hines in which he contended tha; the people of his state should have coal for their homes ahead of that as signed to locomotives hauling "luxurt-
 
 In some cities local authorities made their own rules for distribution of coa and In a number of instances the rail. road administration released big ship nents for local use The questions o. curtailment of train service ana placing embargocs on freight ship. ments were discussed, but no reduc. ton of service will be made until con. ditions reach the point where it can. not be helped.
 Assurarces again were given by tn, government in reply to inquiries tha every protection would be afforded un, ,|.. CT non union miners willing to re main at work. Kentuck yoperators. a conference with Dr. Garfield. asked that troops be sent to that state be cause of threats made against workinl forces. They were told that while tii, was a matter for cabinet action i troops were needed they owuld b, sent