Omaha daily bee., 1919-11-29
Department Of Justice Serves
Notice, After Meeting Of
Cabinet, Soldiers will Be
Sent Wherever Necessary.
OTHERS MUST HELP OR
MINES WILL BE SEIZED
Operators Post Notice of ~
Per Cent Increase, and New
Men May Be Attracted
crease May Come Next Week.

Washington, Nov. 28.-The gov
ernment served blunt notice on soft
coal miners and operators tonight
that interference with coal produc-
ton would not be tolerated.
Warning that legal prosecution
would be employed to thwart con-
spiracies by either side, and troops
sent wherever necessary to protect
miners willing to work. came from
the Department of Justice after
members of the cabinet had consid-
cred every phase of the fuel situa-
tion,, admittedly critical in view of
the abrupt breaking off of negotia-
tions.
Force Working Of Mines.
It is not the intention of the gov
ernment to let the mines remain
idle with half of the country in the
grip of the cold weather and coal
piles rapidly diminishing.
The administration, il was
thought by those in position to
know. had fully expected the miners
to reject the IA per cent wage in
crease offered by Fuel Administra-
tor Garfield. Anticipating this,
plans had been considered for aug
menting the present output of BIZ
luminous mines, officially figured at
better than 40 per cent of normal.
A statement by Assistant Attor-
ney General Ames, issued late in
the day. gave assurance to all min
ers that they would be afforded
ample protection if they returned to
work, even if troops had to be
called out.
This was the only definite state
ment of policy from the govern
ment.
War Department Ready.
The Department of Justice state
ment calling attention to the fact
that instructions issued heretofore
by the War department in connec-
ton with the possible use of troops
in coal field regions still were in ef-
feet and that department command
ers stood ready to guard the fields
the instant their aid was requested
by the state authorities.
Operators tonight set out to re-
sumo operations, so far as that was
possible under the muddied condi-
tions, by telegraphing notice for
posting at mines everywhere, Offer
ing an increase of IA per cent for
all men willing to work.
Expect Big Increase.
There were few expressions as
to how this information might be
received, but representatives OF the
miners here still declared it would
be no incentive, and that it would
be ignored, especially in the central
competitive fields, embracing the
states Of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and
western Pennsylvania. Operators,
however, believed that it would draw
large numbers to the mines and that
next week would see a big increase
in the daily soft coal output. /.
In discussing the Department OF
Justice plans, Assistant Attorney
General Ames said:
"Ali United States attorneys in
the bituminous coal fields have been
officially advised of the result of the
at Washington and
have been given instructions rela-
tive to the situation. /.
Prosecute Both Sides.
at is Of course, obvious that the
time has come when. ample protec-
tion will be furnished all persons
desiring to work in mipes All per-
sons, whether miners or operators,
making any agreement or arrange
ment with each other to restrict the
supply of coal will be proceeded
against as the law provides. and 1t
should be understood that any per-
son who aids or abets in restrict
ing the supply of coal is likewise
guilty by the terms of the Lever
act.
instructions heretofore issued
by the War department are still in
force and under these instructions
Continued on Page Two, Column One.)