The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-11-13
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Government Refuses to VaCate
Legal Proceedings Against
Coal Strikers.
GOMPERS APPEAL IS IN VAIN
Operators Declare He Has misrepre-
sented the Facts-People's Atti-
tude Toward Radical Labor
Leadership Shown In Mas
sachpsetts Election.
BY EDWARD w. PicKARD.

Firmly refusing to be put in the po-
sitiOn OF compromising a felony, the
federal government has rejected the
proposition OF the union labor leaders
that II abandon the legal proceedings
against the coal strike as a prelimi-
nary to negotiations for peace.
ON Saturday Assistant Attorney
General Ames asked Federal Judge
Anderson at indianapolis to make per-
manent the restraining order, thus es-
tablshing the illeGality of the strike.
II this is done. according TO the lead
ers Of the miners, the strike will be
Of long duration because the men "will
resist to the last any attempt at
wrongful compulsion.'
IN most of the bltumlnOus fields
there was little change In the status,
though operators in Colorado and
West Virginia reported gains in pro-
ductinn
In several states the shortage OF
coal hogan TO make itself felt and
there were appeals for the release OF
coal cOnfiscaied by the railroads; n
number Of trains were cancelled TO
save fuel; In some places the schools
were closed for short periods.
President Wilson gave 10 Fuel Ad-
mlnstrator Garfield full authority
over prices. distribution and shipment
OF All fuel Doctor Garfield delegated
10 The railroad administration his au-
thority over distribution.
SUCH broadly was the coal strike
situation ut the time of writing. There
wis little sign Of yielding on either
side. The operators Of Illinois were
Of the opinion that the strike would
Inst two weeks longer and that then
public opinion and the government
would compel the miners to call 1t
on and accept arbitration. In which
ease the operators would agree 10 the
fivp-day week. II assured Of adequate
supply OF cars. and would grant an
increase Of wages.
Samuel G0mpers. who with w. s.
Stone. head OF the locomotive engi-
neers. has been working 10 bring about
compromise made the appeal for
vacation Of the Injunction against the
strike. and issued q statement de-
signed 10 Justify the demands made
by the strikers and accusing the or
orators OF much wrongdoing and I'M
fairness The latter rctorted with q
statement saying that Mr. G0mpers
announcement was full OF mIsrepre
sensations, continuing
"Tt Is not true that the operators
representatives walked out OF Secre
tary Wilson's conference leaving Mr.
Lewis with no alternative but 10 cal
strike The operators representa-
tlves accepted President Wilson's pro
posal In IT'S entirety and Withdrew
from the conference IN order tina
their presence might not embarras
Secretary Wilson in his effort to per
suade the miners 10 take the HONORABLE,
course thus opened TO them.
AT the lime OF their withdrawal
the operators advised Secretary VIII
son that they would remain 10 Wash
ington. awaiting his call TO furtho
conference.
'It il not true. as Mr.. Gompers i'm
plies. that the miners are not permit
ted by the operators to work full time
The operators have no control owe
the demand for coal They can mcrel
stand ready TO produce and furnis
II when the public requires and I
willing 10 accept It.
"Tt Is not true that the miners RI
ceived an advance Of 20 cents To
I'm 1914.
1T Is not true that the operator
rnlsed the price OF coal So a ton !