Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-11-03

ready to do every
thing in it's power to fa-
cilitate an inquiry into
the merits of the controversy, but In
the meantime the law must be en-.
forced, and combinations to stop
production cannot be tolerated.
Mr. Palmei's statement made in re-
ply to telegram from the union To-
,al at Glencoe. O.. to President Will
son. was taken to indicate that no at
.empts would be made by the gov
arnment to settle the wage contrOver-
sy until the strike was called og.
The miners telegram said.
We, the members of local
Union No. 276S United Mine
Workers of America, feel justified
in resenting your action taken
against lis in our just demand for
a living wage and that we are
soidlv behind our international
officials in their action taken"
Reply for the President, Attorney
Palmer said:
Your telegram to the Presi-
dent protesting against the action
of the government on the ground
it is taken against your Just de-
mands for living wage is based on
a misconception Of the facts. The
government has not taken sides,
either for or against the mine
owners or the mine workers, or
their demands in the wage con-
troversy. The law provides that
no two persons, prior to the proc
lamation Ct peace, shall agree or
arrange With each other to re-
strict the output or supply Of coal.
The government is insisting that
this law should be Obeyed by both
the mine owners and the mine
workers The wage controversy
can be settled without concert of
action 10 stop the output OF the
mines, and the government stands
ready now, as il has in the past,
to do everything in It's power to
facilitate an inquiry into the mer-
meantime the law must be en-
forced. and combinations to stop
proiuc: ion cannot he tolerated.
Colo. Guard on Duty.
Denver. Nov. 3.--Reports received
at the offices of the Colorado Fuel (
Iron Co. indicated that the company
properties at Primero. Frederick and
Berwind in the Southern Colorado
coal fields, We're operating today, with
reduced forces. These properties
were closed by the company Saturday
pending arrival of troops.
The national guard of Colorado and
Oklahoma have already been sent tC
the coal districts of those states and
several companies of state troops
have ben modified at Birmingham
Ala.. in case their services are need
ed.
Mines Mostly Idle.
Chicago. Nov. Developments to
day in the strike of more than 1900
soft coal miners throughout the cOun
try were expected to clarity the stu
alton to the extent of determining
WllttlltI UiouuNllbl was w pc sup
ped indefinitely in a large part of th'
bituminous field or whether any con
siderable number of workers were
willing to return to work
No plans have been made for open
ing any of the mines with imported la
Dor, and old men who return to worl
are to be treated as though they haC
/ 1 Itt,t
to Thomas r. Brewster, chairman o
the coal operators scale committee
Reports from most of the large nm
ing centers indicated that while
large number of the mines would b'
in shape for the miners to resume
work. the operators did not expec
many union men to reenter the mines
today,
Call Statewide Strike.
Pittsburgh Pa, Nov 3 Union lead
ers in Pittsburgh, in the interest o
tie steel strike, began today 10 forni
ulate plans to help secure from state
unions approval Of recommenda ion'
passed by the Pennsylvania State Fed
Grafton of Labor, which adjourned IL
special convention here yesterday.
Featuring he recommendations
tdCpted in the form of resolutions
Was call for a statewide strike o
organized labor ~ a last resort 20 SO
cure free speech, free press and FREE
ps emblaee.
James r. Maurere. president OF IL
federation, announced that he eN
rected no opposition from the inter
national unions concerning the pr
posed walkout but rather their heart,
approval
The situation in the Pittsburgh dis
lrict was reported bv both strike head
quarters and by officials Of the stee
corlcrations as being las usual.
Lewis Returns to Indianapolis.
Springfield H., Nov. S.--ActiI
President John l.. Lewis OF the Unite