The sun., 1919-10-27
GOVERNMENT READY
FOR MINE WALKOUT
Officials Study Statutes, Pre-
pare for Every Possible
Contingency.
HOPE FOR RECESSION
Troops Will Be Used to Protect
Volunteers IL Strike Order
Goes Through.
Special Despotch TO The sus.

Speech Dcspdtch 10 IHb DUN.
WARRINGTON, Oct. 26. A carefully
worked out programme for handling the
strike of coal miners, called by the
United Mine Workers of America for
November /, has been prepared by the
Government. should the strike eventuate.
Official Washington is hoping that I'M
der all Of the circumstances, and In view
of the determined stand taken by the
Federal Government. the strike will be
called of. II not the Government will
move along lines that have been as care
fully mapped out as any problematical
military campaign at the American War
College.
The statement prepared by the Cabinet
and issued by the President last night
was the result of long study and careful
deliberation. There was nothing spon-
taneous about II as a direct result of the
blowup of the National Industrial Con-
ference and the conferences of Secretary
Of Labor Wilson with the coal miners
and coal mine operators as might appeal
under the circumstances.
The tremendous possibilities involved
in a national coal strike and methods
for meeting the situation have been
studied by Attorney-General Palmer,
by Director General Hines, by Secretary
Of the Treasury Glass. by Secretary
OF the Interior Lane, and by Secretary
of Commerce Redield for days II not
weeks
All Statutes studied.
All of the statutes that would apply
have been studied and problemstically
applied by the Department OF Justice.
The railroad situation has likewise been
carefully canvassed.
Details of the Government plans or
the force that Is behind the statement
issued last night will not be made pub
lie until the proper time. The Govern
ment will not expose its hand and the
Cabinet will make no statement. 1t Is
known, however, that all concerned are
hopeful that the statement will bring a
reconsideration upon the part of the coal
miners. They point out that the strike
was not callsi by vote of the miners,
but as result OF the action of a con-
vention of the international union.
Failing a calling off of the strike II
is expected the Governments programme
will work out something like this Sua-
sion will be used with the miners who
are members of the mine workers or
ganization to remain at work. The mines
Of the non-union mines of the country
in West Virginia, Virginia. the Carolinas
and Tennessee and in some OF the other
fields These mines could keep UP a
production that would stave off the
pinch Of want for possibly three weeks.
Could stavc on Pinch.
One official who has closely studied
the situation is authority for the state
ment that no pinch would be felt by the
country for two weeks after the calling
Of a strike II the strike was successful
After that there would be a shortage
that would seriously cripple transporta-
ton and industry.
Protection for the union mines of the
country by military power is calculated
to keep at work many men who do not
want to strike, but who would go on,
If they were not sure of protection II
they worked.
II disaster still threatened it is re-
garded as likely that leaders of the
strike--those. responsible for it--might
1t an offence to hinder production of q
necessity of life. The Lever act and its
amendments, the scdition and the sa.
botage laws all have a bearing.
Should SO stringent a measure fail the
Government could then take over ths
mines, operate them with volunteer
workers and proceed against all thoss
who sought to hinder production. MeI
| who wished to quit could not by any
! power be compelled to work, but tn,
walkout would have to be an individual
voluntary one.
The Government does not wish to takt
over the mines or to face the necessity
OF securing the volunteer workers, bu
1t is prepared to go to these limits II
| the meantime the mine workers organ
ization is being offered any kind o.
means of arbitration, mediation or ne
gotietion that it will accept and keel
| the mines going.