Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-10-31
PALMER ISSUES
Def TO MINERS
ON STRIKE EVE

were made with the sanction of
the federal government, operat-
ing through the fuel administra-
ton, to run during the contin-
uation of the war or until April
l, 1920. Many others, however,
run until a time still in the fu-
ture without regard for the con-
tinuation of the war.
War Not Ended
While it is perfectly plain
that the war is still on and any
contract running until it's con-
clusion is still in force. what
ever 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 pc
riod. The armistice did not end
the war and the courts in many
cases having held that the war
emergency statutes are still in
force, the same rule must apply
to war emergency contracts. The
congress has held to this po-
sition so late as October %.
when an act of congress was
approved, making even more Ell
fective the food and fuel control
act.
The suspension of the restric
lions as to the price of coal is
not necessarily permanent and
conditions Warrent renewal of
these restrictions at this time;
and yet the government if it
reinstates the order fixing
maximum price would be abso-
luteIy helpless to protect the
people against eXorbitant prices
of the product if the contracts
made under its sanction should
now be deliberately broken
This does not mean that
change could not be negotiated
and either agreed upon or ar
bitrated if propef protection Of
the public be accorded in the
settlement, but it does mean
that the public welfare in the
wartime emergency must still
be the same permanent interes;
10 be served by both parties.
The government is the protector
Gt the public welfare.
Would Paralyze Industry
The proposed strike, if car
lied to it's logical conclusion,
VIII paralyze transportation and
industry. 1t will deprive un-
numbered thousands of nen- who
are making no complaint about
their employment of their right
to earn a livelihood for them
selves and their families; will
put cities in darkness, and, if
continued only for a few days,
will bring ~old and hunger to
millions of our people; if con-
tinued for a month, it will leave
death and starvation in it's wake.
1t would be a more deadly at
tack upon the life of the ma
ton than an invading army.
By enacting the food and fuel
control act, congress has recog-
niZed the vital importance in the
present circumstances of main
tanning production and distribu-
ton of the necessaries of life
and has made it unlawful for
any concerted action, agreement
or the arrangement to be made
by two or more persons to limit
the facilities of transportation
and production, or to restrict the
supply and distribution Of fuel,
or to aid Or abet the doing of
any act having this purpose or
effect. Making a strike effective
under the circumstances which
[ have described amounts to such
concerted action or arrange
ment.
Duty to Enforce Law
1t Is the solemn duty Of the
department of justice to enforce
this statute. We have enforced
it in many cases. We must con-
tinue to do so irrespective of
the persons involved in it's vio-
lation. 1 hope it will not be
necessary to enforce it in this
case. Indeed, am hearing
from many sources that large
numbers Of the miners them
selves do not wish to quit work
and will not do so if assured
of the protection of the govern
ment, of which they properly
feel themselves a part. 1t is
probably unnecessary for me to
say that such protection will
everywhere be given, so that
men may exercise their undoubt-
ed right of continuing to work
under such terms and conditions
as they shall see fit. The facts
present a situation which chal-
lenges the supremacy of the
law and every resource of the
government will be brought to
bear to prevent the national
disaster which would inevitably
result from the cessation of
mining operations.
This procurement was mad
ublic following an informal meet
ng of cabinet officers.