New-York tribune., 1919-11-29
Garfield Tells Union and
Operators Shafts Will
Not Be Permitted to Re-
main Idle During Crisis
Notice of 1870 Pay
Increase Is Posted
Owners Are Given Notice
Their Properties Will
Be Seized if They Fail
to Cooperate With L. S.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2s.-The
government served blunt notice on
soft coal miners and operators to-
night that interference 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
members of the Cabinet had consid-
cred every phase of the fuel situa-
ton, admittedly critical, in view of
the abrupt breaking off of negotia-
tons.
1t is not the intention of the gov
ernment to let the mines remain idle
with half of the country in the grip
of cold weather and coal stocks rap
idly diminishing
Rejection by Miners Expected
The Administration it is said by
those in position to know, had fully
expected the miners to reject the Ia
per cent wage increase offered by
Fuel Administrator Garfield An
ticipating this, plans had been con-
sidered for augmenting the present
output of bituminous mines, off,
cialiy figured at better than 40 per
cent of normal.
Dr. Garfield said earlier in the day
he regarded IA per cent as just and
sufficient wage advance for mine work
ers, and minc owners who did not
cooperate with the government would
find their properties taken over and
operated by the Fuel Administration.
A statement by Assistant Attorney
General Ames, issued late in the day,
gave assurance to all miners they
would be afforded ample protection if
they returned to work, even if troops
had to be called out. This was the
only definite statement of policy from
the government. In official circles it
was said the Federal authorities were
determined to force resumption of
operations on the terms laid down by
the fuel administrator.
United States Attorneys Instructed
Mr.. Ames said:
"All United States attorneys in the
bituminous coal fields have been Off
cially advised of the result of the
negotiations at Washington and have
been given instructions relative to the
situation.
"It is, of course, obvious that the
time has come when ample protection
will be furnished all persons desiring
to work in mines. All persons, wheth-
or miners or operators, making any
agreement or arrangement with each
other to restrict the supply of coal
will be proceeded against as the law
provides, and it should be understood
that any person who aids or abets in
restricting the supply of coal is like
wise guilty by the terms of the Lever
act.
Constructions heretofore issued by
tho War Department are still in force,
and under these instructions depart
ment commanders will act in proper
cases when requested to do so by the
state authorities"
Military Forces Ready
The Department of Justice state
ment called attention to thA fact that
instructions issued here by the War
Department in connection with the pos
sible 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 re-
nnested b. the state authorities.
Operators tonight set out to resume
production, so far as that was possible
Under the muddled conditions, by tele-
graphing notice for posting at mines
everywhere offers of an increase of IA
nor cent for all men willing to work.
There were few expressions of how
this information might be received, but
CONSERVATIVES of the miners here still
declared it would be no incentive. and
that il would be ignored, especially in
the central competitive fields, embracing
ohio. Illinois, Indiana and Western
p.nnsylyania Operators, however, be
i,eved it would draw large numbers t<
Tie mines and that next week would
see q big increase in the daily soft Goa
output.
Lewis and Gompers Confer
yohn l.. Lewis, acting president Of
+ba limited Mine Workers Of America
who had borne the Drunt OF the wage
q, (sn..ts..s,c<J nm 1n0e three