Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-10-30
COVE EMINENT HAS
PLAN To PROTECT
THE PEOPLE FROM
GREAT DISTRESS
VIII Provide Ample Guards
For Miners Who Are Willing
to Work. Fuel AdminiStra-
ton May Be Revived,
PUBLIC SENTIMENT is
AGAINST THE WALK0UT
Efforts viii Be Made to Bring
the Strike to a Speedy End
Through Mediationi Mems
Stand Surprises Officials,

Washington, oct 29.-The govern
ment, confronted with refusal of the
miners organization to call off the
strike of 100000 soft coal workers or
dered for Friday night, moved swiftly
today to protect the people from great
distress.
First of many steps to deal with a
situation, admittedly critical probably
will be these:
Ample protection for miners willing
to remain on the job as urged by
President Wilson.
Revival of the fuel administration
armed with full war time powers, to
prevent boarding and profiteering.
ALLEGATION and distribution of coal
to homes railroads and essential in
dustries.
Efforts to bring the strike to a
speedy end through mediation.
The government, however, will
make no efforts to bring about in
dictment of officers of the United
Mine Workers of America, who called
the strike on charges of conspiracy TO
reduce production of a necessary pro-
duct.
Many Miners May Not Strike.
Government officials said tonight
that reports from confidential sources
showed that not all of the miners
would strike, that public sentiment
was against the walkout at the be-
ginning of winter and that duration of
the strike would be brief.
Refusal of the miners organization
to withdraw the strike order, surpris-
ed officials, who changed from a
hopeful to a fighting attitude, Officials
l. Vl4y
do not strike will be protected in and
out of the mines, even if that means
the presence of troops.
Before first word of rejection of the
presidents appeal reached here from
indianapolis federal machinery was
being made ready to deal with con-
ditions likely to arise in the coal fields.
Fuel Administrators Garfield was sum-
moned here from Massachusetts for a
conference at the White House. There
was no loss of time. Exactly what the
government proposed to do was not
explained, but paramount considera-
tion was given the problem of keeping
a volume of coal passing swiftly from
mines to cities within the next few
days, and rounding up a civilian army
that might be ready to work the
mines,
Congress Will Provide Funds.
The necessity of reViVing the fuel
administration was emphasized att
during the day and this
is to be decided tomorrow when Pres
ident Wilson will receive recommen-
dations of the conferences of officials
meeting late today that control OIL
prices again be exercised. DR.. Gar
field, still technically head of the fuel
has no skeleton or
ganization, but his forces can be
quickly modified. Administration
leaders said congress would have tol
provide immediate funds, and assur-
ances came from leaders of both
houses it was stated, that all the
money the government needed would
be provided speedily.
Clothed with it's war time powers
the administration would be called
upon to see that the coal supply isl
and distributed as 1t was
during the shortage two winters ago.
Railroads must have first call, with
second consideration given essential
industries on which the public de-
pends for comfort and warmth.