Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-29
Both Operators and Miners Are Informed That Interference Will Not Be Tolerated. WILL GIVE WORKERS
 PROTECTION OF ARMY
 #ssts Troops Will Be Sent Wherever N&e9~ ed, Washington Warns--Capitsil Intends Country Shall Not
 Suffer During Cold.

| Washington, Nov. 28.-The govern ment served notice on soft coal min CTS and operators tonight that inter ference with coal production 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 mem bers of the cabinet had considered every phase of the fuel situation, ad- mittedly critical, in view of the abrupt breaking off of negotiations. It is not the intention of the govern ment to let the mines remain idle with half of the country in the grip of cold weather and the coal SUD- plies rapidly diminishing.
 The administration, it was thought by those in position to know, had fully expected the miners to reject the IA per cent wage increase offer ed by Fuel Administration Garfield.
 Anticipating this, plans had been considered for augmenting the pres ent output of bituminous mines. off ciall yfigured at better than 40 per cent of normal.
 A statement by Assistant Attorney General Ames, issued late today, gave assurance to all miners that they would be afforded ample pro- tection if they returned work even if troops had to be called out That was the only definite statement of policy from the government. In official circles, it was said that the federal authorities were determined to force resumption of operations on the terms laid down by the fuel admin
 strator. .,.t
 Troops "A vailabie, "A X
 The department of justice state ment called attention to the fact that instructions issued heretofore by the war department in connection with the possible use of troops in coal field regions still were in effect, and that department commanders stood ready to guard the fields the instant their aid was required by the state authorities.
 Operators tonight set out to re- sume production so far as that was possible under the muddled cond- tions, by telegraphing notices for posting at mines everywhere, offer ing an increase of IA per cent for all men willing to work.
 There were few expressions as to how this information might be re- ceived, but representatives of the miners here still declared it would be no incentive and that it would be ignored.
 Dr. Garfield had explained earlier in the day that he regarded IA per cent just and sufficient wage ad- vance for mine workers and that mine owners who did not cooperate with the government would find their properties taken over and operated by the fuel administration.
 Appeal Injunction.
 John l.. Lewis, acting president of the United Mine Workers of Amer ica, who had borne the brunt of the wage negotiation fighting, went home tonight worn out by the long wran- gle. Before leaving for Indianapolis he saw Secretary of Labor Wilson and Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor. He explained that he had arranged with Gompers to have the federation's lawyer assist counsel for the miners in the perfection of their appeal from the ruling of Federal Judge Ander- son ordering the coal strike order cancelled.
 In labor and official circles the meeting of Messrs Lewis and Com pers was regarded as significant, but there was no statement concerning questions discussed, except Lewis reference to seeking counsel aid. After leaving Secretary Wilson's of flee. Mr. Lewis said:
 "Dr. Garfield represents the gov ernment. Mir. Wilson told me that to- day"
 This was taken by Mir. Lewis to mean that the IA per cent wage offer was the governments final of fer and that Mir. Wilson's proposal for a 31 per cent advance had been re- jected by the cabinet. The operators wage scale commit tee will meet here again next We'd nesday to agree on the details neces- sary to preserve existing differentials in putting IA per cent wage ad ! vance in effect. The telegram urg- ing all operators to post notices of fering the IA per cent increase at once was sent by committee, com posed of T. w. Guthrie. A. M Ogle, Thomas K. Maher and E. c. Searles, who remained in Washington to rep resent the central competitive field. The Ames' statement given out today said:
 "All United States attorneys in I the bituminous coal fields have been officially advised of the result of the