Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-10-29

the conference here today OF
officials of the big union, it was
announced, had no idea of mod
!. flying the call for a cessation
of work. President Wilson's
prOnOuncement on the threat
ened Industrial war had no de-
fender In the conference, 1t was
stated.
Washington, Oct. 29.-The gov
ernmeut is prepared to take dras-
tic steps to deal with the condi-
tions arising in the coal fields if
the executive board of the United
Mine Workers of America permits
the strike order to stand. This
became known today after Federal
Fuel Administrator Garfield had
been summoned from Massachus-
etts to discuss the situation with
Secretary Tumulty.
Hopes to Avert Strike.
Mr.. Garfield left a memorandum
on the coal situation for President
Wilson. He was hopeful that the
strike could be aYerted and that it
would not be necessary to revive
the fuel administration, which un-
der the Lever food control act
would retain all its wartime au-
thority over the nations fuel sup
ply.
Administrator Garfield, who still
has authority to function as fuel
administrator, said he was in close
touch with the strike situation and
expressed confidence that a settle
ment would be reached without a
walkout to the miners.
May Restore Control.
The fuel administrator would
not discuss his conference with M
TumuIty, but his visit to the White
house revived suggestions that the
fuel administration might again be
called into existence to exercise
r.he war time control over fuel pro-
vided for in the Lever food control
act.
While actively serving as ad-
ministrator, DR.. Garfield was in
strumental in bringing about the
so-called Washington wage agree
ment, which expires April l, 1920,
and which it has been cOntended,
would be violated If the miners
walk out.
Miners Chiefs Confer.
Indianapolis, Ind, Oct. Eek
ecutives Of the United Mine Work
ers of America, met here today to
confer on the action of President
wilson's appeal that the nation
wide strike Of bituminOus coal
miners ordered for Nov. 1, be call
ed off.
With but 60 hours left before
the time for stoppage of production
of the nations fuel supply, the
meeting assumes the character of
the most weighty one which has
yet been held in connection with
the miners demands for a six-hour
day, a five-day week, and 60 per
cent increase in wages. Out Of it
will come the final word of the
miners on the situation.
Realize Their Position.
The delegates entered the con-
ference this morning sober faced
and with a full realization of the
seriousness OF their undertaking.
Not a man among them but was
aware that the national and stare
governments were lined sOlidly
against them and that the govern
ments are backed by widespread
public opinion, that the miners are
in the wrong. On every hand they
have been met with expressions of
the grave consequences attaching
to the threatened strike on the
verge of winter.
WOuEd Tie Up Industry.
Discontinuance of the production
of coal would more effectually tie
up the industry Of the country than
would a strike of any other body
of workers, and in addition such |
action would cause untold suffering |
among millions of the country's in |
habitants. Despite the frantic ef-
forts of the railroads to furnish eX-
ira cars to the mines for transpor- /
tation of what fuel is on hand at |
the source. It will be impossible to /!
provide an adequate supply for /
even a short period.