The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-12-03
WAITIKG GAME
IN l@AL CRISIS
GoverT ent Holding Up Ac-
tions i'll Miners Attitude
Is Fully Known.

Washington, Dec. 3.--The govern
ment is playing waiting game in
the coal crisis.
With conflicting reports coming
into the government departments as
to conditions in the coal fields, the
administration is holding up action
until it is definitely determined
whether the coal strike is to remain
in full. force or whether the miners
Will gradually return to their work
Reports coming from the operators
indicate that the miners are not pre-
pairing to return to their work, while
reports from the agents of the de-
partment Of justice are more encour-
aging.
The end Of the present week Is ex-
pected to show definite indications OF
what may be expected. The depart
ment of justice is planning to take
further court action upon what evil
dence it has to show that there is a
plan on the part of some miners to
restrict coal production, and those
operators who are reported to have
assumed an attitude of indifference
will probably also find themselves en-
tangled IN legal processes.
Meanwhile every possible step is
being taken by the fuel administra-
ttion and the railroad administration
for the conservation of coal. Direc-
tor General Hines has issued new or
ders to regional directors ordering
them to remove all passenger trains
which are not absolutely essential.
The fuel administration is also di-
recting the central coal committee to
cut down to the very limit On the
distribution of coal to nonessential
industries. If the situation is not
improved by the first Of next week,
1t is understood that all industry will
be tremendously affected.
Reports reaching here today OF
ti1reatg of a strike In the anthracite
field brought CONSERVATION. Should
the anthracite miners leaye their
work 1t would create national cri-
sis such as this country has never
before seen. The department of JUS
tice is prepared for quick action to
check any such movement.
For Contempt Of Court.
Indianapolis. Ind, Dec. 3.-Cita-
tions for contempt of court, directed
against members of the United Mine
Workers of America and possibly
against coal mine owners, are ex-
pected within the next twenty-fo
hours as the governments next step
in it's efforts to bring about an end
Of the strike of bituminous coal min
ers.
1t became known yesterday mass
of evidence against alleged violators
of the Injunction against the strike
issued by United States District
Judge Anderson has been collected
by agents of the department of JUS
tice and that proceedings will be in
stituted Immediately. Government
attorneys take the position that
statements made by individual min
ers which might be viewed as en-
couragement of the strike, or agree
ment by any two members to re-
frain from work, constitute violation
of the injunction.
Iowa to Operate Mine.
Des Moines, Ia, Dec. 3.-The state
of Iowa will operate one small coal
producing piece of property at least.
Workmen today were stripping the
earth from one corner of the state
capitol grounds and steam shovels
will be put in Immediately to lift out
coal discovered there yesterday. The
coal was found by workmen drilling
for a foundation for a new building
and is a vein about four feet deep.
The fuel to be dug by the steam
shovels will be placed at the disposal
of the state fuel administrator.
Output Much Less.
The output of the mines is mate
rally less than for the first two days
this week, with the demand for coal
very much greater. officials of the
fuel administration did not conceal
concern over the situation as the re-
ports came in. The reports were laid
before the officials of the department
of justice as rapidly as they were re-
ceived and 1t was stated that officials
there are giving the matter the closest
attention.
The reports show that all mines in
Maryland are closed, although a
greater part of them were in opera
ton week ago. These mines, To-
Gated in Cumberland, supply the ma
- 4. Rl