Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-27
Presidents Firm Stand
Intended as Warning
to Reckless Faction.
PATRIOTISM URGED
ON RANK AND FILE
Men to Be Reassured That
Government Listens to
Their Complaints
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

Administration officials are not dis
posed. in the Immediate phase OF the
threatened coal strike situation, to-
discuss ways and means for the
governments carrying out President
Wilson's announced determination to
prevent the tying up sof the nations
supply of ,bituminous coal, itc Was
pointed out today m authoritative Of
fetal circles that affairs have not
yet reached the stage of acutenSss
contemplated in the Presidents warn
ing of what the government Will do
in the last extremity.
1t should be carefully noted II was
said. that the gravamen of the Presi-
dents message to the people of Sat
urday night was an appeal to tae
common sense, the humanity and DUTY
to the public of the coal miners. to-
gether with a logical analysis of all
the circumstances attending the ne
gotiations to prevent strike. That
portion of his message was addressed
to the rank and file. the great mass
of the coal miners, large per
centage of whom are believed TO pe
law-abiding American citizens.
The firm notice of the governu1ents
intention to take whatever measures
may be found necessary to MAINTAIN
law and order and to defeat a threat,
d
the government of the United states
was addressed to the lawless and
reckless element disposed to foment
trouble upon such occasions as the
one now presented.
Recognizes Grievances.
The view is still held, and it was
maintained during the fruitless nego-
tiations which ended SO dramatically
last week, that the administration
recognizes that the miners have
grievances which should be consid,
cred by the Operators. 1t is conceded
that there. may be grounds for COM
plant as to wages and working con-
ditions which should be given con-
sideration.
today, gave attention to this feature
in his Saturday night proclamation by
proposing further conferences and
arbitration of the questions at issue
between the workingmen and their
employers 1t was the ruthless method
proposed by the leaders of the min
ers' organization of refusing the elev-
enth-hour appeal of President VIII
son and of Secretary OF Labor Wilson
to continue the conferences which
brought forth the admonition that
the government will not assent to the
carrying out of the program of the
labor leaders for inf1icting upon the
nation the calamity it contemplates.
Miners Have Not Voted.
During the recent conference stress
was repeatedly laid upon the fact
that a strike with consequences of
the magnitude involved in the threat
ened movement had never been sub
mitted to vote of the miners them
selves 1t was ordered by a conven-
ton of delegates, and it has been
claimed that the mass of the coal
miners probably mover considered
going to the extent which the conyen-
ton was induced by the leaders TO
propose.
The claim has been made that un-
uuestionably a considerable proper
ton of the men would not be willing
to place themselves in the attitude
of joining in a movement denounced
by the President of the United States
as an overt act against the govern
ment and people of this country. The
administration feels it is said. that
this fact warranted another appeal TO
the men themselves to consent to
further conference and to be as
sured of the friendly attitude OF the
government toward-their just claims
for bettermeHt,o their condition.