New-York tribune., 1919-10-30

war IS still On and any contract run
ming until its conclusion IS still IN
force, whatever weight may be given
TO the argument that the successful
operation OF the war no longer requires
such contracts. it has no application
whatever to the large number Of such
contracts which expire at a fixed date
without regard for the war period
The armistice did not end the war, and
the courts in many cases have held
that the war emergency statutes are
still in force. The same rule must ap.
ply Ia war emergency contracts. The
Congress has held to this position SO
late as October 22, when an act Of
Congress was approved making even
more effective the food and fuel con-
troll act
"rhe suspension of the restrictions
as to the price of coal is not ncces-
sarily permanent and conditions war
rant renewal Of these restrictions
at this time. and yet the government.
if it reinstates the order fixing a
maximum price. would be absolutely
helpless to protect the people against
exorbitant prices Of the product il the
contracts made under its Sanction
should now be deliberately broken.
"Ihis does not mean that a change
could not be negotiated, and either
protection of the public be accorded
in the settlement, but it does mean
that the public welfare in the war
time emergency must still be the same
permanent interest to be served by
both parties The government is tho
protector of the public welfare.
Effect on Industry Forecast
"Thc proposed strike, if carried to
its logical conclusion, will paralyze
transportation and Industry. 1t will
deprive unnumbered thousands Of men
who are making no complaint about
their employment of their right to earn
livelihood for themselves and their
families, will put cities in darkness
and. If continued only for. a few days,
will bring cold and hunger to millions
of our people. If continued for It month
it will leave death and starvation in its
wake. 1t would be q more deadly at
tack upon the life of the nation than
an invading army.
'By enacting the food and fuel CON
tro! act Congress has recognized the
vital Importance in the present circum-
stances of maintaining production and
distribution of the necessaries OF life
and has made it unlawful for any
concerted action, agreement or arrange
ment 10 be made by two OF more per
sons 10 llnlt the 1acllltleS OF trans
portation and production or to re-
strict the supply and distribution OF
fuel Or TO sid or ahet the doing Of amy
set havingthls purpose or effect. Max
ing strike effective under the cir
cumstances which l have described
amounts to such concerted action or
arrangement.
Law Enforcement Promised
sit is the solemn duty of the Depart
ment of Justice to enforce this statute.
We have enforced it in many cases.
We must continue to do SO irrespective
OF the persons involved in its violation.
I hope it wtll not be necessary to en-
force it in this case. Indeed, am
hearing from many sources that large
numbers OF the miners themselves do
not wish to quit work, and will not do
so # assured Of the protection OF The
government, of which they properly
feel themselves part
ut probably is unnecessary for NE
to say that such protection Will every
where be given, so that men may eXer-
else their undoubted right of continu-
ing to work under such terms and con-
dition5 as they shall see fit. The facts
present a situation which challenges
the supremacy OF the law, and every
resource OF the government will he
brought 10 bear to prevent the nationa'
disaster which would inevitably result
| from the cessation Of mining opera
tions."