New-York tribune., 1919-10-29
Answer of Workers to
Plea of President Ex-
pected To Be Held Back
Until Date of Walk-Out
Public Assured 1t
Will Be Protected
Railroads Hasten to For
tify Weaker Points ON
Lines for Emergency

WASHINGTON. Oct. 2s.-How to
deal with the soft coal strike, in event
the miners, ignoring President Will
sons command to stay on the job,
walk out Friday night, was definitely
agreed upon to-day at q twohour
meeting of the Cabinet.
The plan of action was not dis
closed, but it is known the Cabinet
stood as one man for protection Of
the rights of the public, which would
suffer with the closing of the mines
IN which ordinarily more than 100000
members of the United Mine Workers
Of America are employed.
But while steps already taken, and
which might be regarded as drastic,
we're approved Secretary Lansing. who
presided, brought word from the meet
iag that the situation was not hope
less. All day the belief had grown
hat the international executive board,
At its meeting tomorrow at Indian
apolis, would postpone the strike. at
EAST. Hope was expressed in some
quarters that the strike would be
called off but officials declined to say
whether this was based upon informa-
i'm purporting to convey some idea
IS to the attitude of tho unions.
Lansing Silent on Prospect
Mr.. Lansing would not say if any
aacts had been laid before the meet
ing 20 Justify hope of averting the
strike.
Secretary OF Labor Wilson, familiar
with the ways of miners through long
service as an officer of their national
organization, said it might be several
days before decision was reached by
the executive board at Indianapolis.
Owe still have the functions Of &
mediator to perform" he said, in an
aouncing that no new strike develop
'nents had been brought to his atten-
ton.
Most officials had thought that John
J.. Lewis, president of the United Mine
Workers, who had summoned his full
scale committee to the meeting to-
nouncement of the reply of his men
80 President Wilson's letter. Accord
.ng to the view held by Mr.. Wilson
however, there may be no answer until
ne very last moment. AN eleventh
hour decision to postpone or cancel
,.rike would not be surprising, it
vas said, but there was some doyot
here whether word could be sent TO
the men in time to keep them at work.
Railroads Prepare for Crisis
The railroad administration, it Vas
learned to-day, is putting forth every
effort TO move the coal already mined
IN districts where present stocks are
running dangerously low. Meantime
government agents we're taking a quick
census to find out how long the stocks
on hand might last. In the absence of
ar authoritative statement. stock re-
ports were conflicting. out it was said
tnas union estimates Of enough to sup
plr demands for THIRTY days were not
Tar wrong.
The government is ready for the
worst, but is hoping the worst will not
happen. firm in the belief that the min
ers will respond patriotically to the
Presidents appeal and keep the mines
agreement" was the summing up to-
night of government official in touch
With the situation. Everything de-
pends on what is done at Indianapolis"
Patriotism of Miners Defended
Edgar Wallace, one of the represent
a;iyes of the United Mine Workers who
mas remained in Washington, tonight
denied the miners are guilty of "un-
Americanism" and pointed to their war
record TO show their patriotism.
ut has been our policy not to strike
except as last resort" said Mr.. Wal
lace. "Regarding what might happen
9Houiu compulsory measures pe re-
sorted TO, / would say that in England
during the war there was an anti-strike
law and the conscription laws were in
ioll effect, yet the British miners chose
TO use their economic power, and as
result. demonstrated that anti-strike
laws were impracticable because of the
iinposs'bility Of enforcing them. The
men gained their objectives by strik-
inZ. They struck and continued to
strike until their demands were met,
and thig in the face of the enemy.
american miners never did that. They
put off their demands during the war.
but now will try to gain them. and
eompu'sion will not solve the prob
EN-"