The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-10-29
Miners May Talk New Contract;
Union Conference Orders Strike
Statement to Public Explain
ing Decision for Action
PromiSedi Government Is
Ready to ACt

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct 70
The strike order Of the United
Mine Workers, effective Friday
midnight, stands. After two hours
discussion the conference here to-
day Of officials Of the big union.
IT was announced, had no IDEA OF
modifying the call for a cessa-
ion OF work. President Wilson's
pronouncement on the threatened
industrial war had no defender In
the conference, Il was stated.
The grounds on which the decision
was reached will be explained in a
statement TO the public which prob.
ably will be issued late today. A com
mittee to draw up this statement. was
appointed and given three hours in
which to prepare It, the conference
adjoining until 4 o. m.
WASHINGTON. Oc, 29-rhe
government is prepared 10 take drastic
steps TO deal with conditions arising
IN the coal fields II the executive
board of the United Mine Workers Of
America permits the strike order 10
stand. This became known today aft
er Federal Fuel Administrator Gar
tield had been summoned from Mas.
saohusetts 10 discuss the situation
with Secretary Tumul,y.
Dr.. Garfield lett a memorandum
on the coal situation for Presiden,
Wilson. lie was hopeful that the
strike could be aver,ed and tina, it
would not he necessary TO revive the
iucl administration. which under the
Lever iood control act, still would re.
tain all OF lis war time authority ovei
the nations iuel supply.
INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 9-Strik,
Of soi, coal miners OF the nation i,
inevitable.
This was the general opinion OF Of
fieisls OF the United Mine Workers a
they went into conference here toda,
to frame a reply 10 President Wilson,
plea tha. the strike order calling ou
half million miners at midnigh
Friday be recalled.
Only two possibilities appeared &c
stay a tie-gp OF the bi,uminous ooaI
production OF the United States
drastic action BY the government OF
oyertures from the operators paving
the way for an agreement.
Status quo prevails" was the finaI
word Of John L. Lewis, acting presi,
dent OF the mine workers as the doors
vi the conference room closed upor
the executive session.
The meeting OF the miners was not
called to order and The doors closed
until II o'clock, Only about three
iourths OF the number expected wer,
presen, then.
| WASHINGTON. Oct, 9.-Federa
Fuel Administrator Harry A. Gar
field, who still has authority TO func
'ion as fuel administrator. said h
was in close touch with the sttik
situation and expressed confidenc,
that a settlement would be rcache,
wi,hou, a walkout OF the miners.
The fuel admin. traitor would no
discuss his conference with Nj
Tumulty but his yisi, 10 the Viii,
House revived suggestions that III
fuel administration might again b
called into existence to exercise III
wartime control over fuel provide
for in the Lever food control ac
While actively serving As admins
traitor, DR.. Garfield wa. instruments
in bringing about the .o-caIled Wash
inston wage agreement which cS
pired April |. 1919. or at the end G
the war. and which il has been cor
tended, would be violated It III
miners walk out.
| Secretary 1umul,y said later d
Garfield had been summoned here ,
that the cabinet might have the ben,
fit OF his judgmnt and knowledge {
the coal industry.
| On leaving the White House. d
Garfield said he though. there wa,
way out without the necessity for re-
directing the machinery OF the fu
administration. He expected to r,
turn home tonight,
-