The sun., 1919-11-05

binding upon the coal miners and upon
me There were only two ways open 10
me to enforce the iaw--one by criminal
and the other by civil process.
II might have instituted criminal PROS
ecutions against hundreds of American
citizens, but preferred to believe that
In ordering this strike they were not
conscious Of the fact that they were v.o-
lating the criminal laws of our country,
and that 1t would be better to have tee
question adjuciated by the courts In q
civil proceeding I assume that the
miners are law abiding citizens and that
they do not intend or desire to jisobey
the laws Of the United States
III the strike is unlawful the court
will so adjudge. II 1t Is lawful the court
viii so decide. The Government has
submitted itself to the Jurisdiction Of tho
court In order that this issue may be
decided. 1t has placed itself upon terms
Of equality with its citizens la order
that there may be an official decision OF
the legal proposition Involved.
You will Of course agree with me
that the laws of the land must be
obeyed and that there is no organisa-
tion, great or small, in the United States
which Is superior to the law OF the land
The issue will be submitted to the
court at Indianapolis next Saturday.
calmly and dispassionateiy. and II the
court adjudges that the strike Is tEega,
I. .epprehend that the miners as law abid-
ing citizens will discontinue It.
Upon reflection hope you will see
that this is better than criminal prose-
cutions and o vast number of civil ac-
tions for damages which might be
brought by the injured persons against
the United Mine Workers and its MEM
rV l,t,
ment has taken Is designed to protect
the whole American people against an
untold catastrophe, and also - protect
the mine workers themselves against
proceedings which would be injurious TO
them" .
Maximum Prices on Hard Coal.
One of the important developments
of the day was the preparation by Dr.
Garfield, Fuel Administrator, OF an
order restoring maximum prices on an
thracite. This was presented to the
President and authorization for issuance
OF the order probably will be signed TO-
morrow.
In addition to the maximum price or
der Dr. Garfield prepared an explana-
ton OF the working Of fuel distribution
priorities. This was made public by the
Railroad Administration, which is ham
ding all matters relating to distribu-
ton of available coal supplies. 1t gives
the major groupings that will be fol-
lowed on the priority list as follows:
(Class AZ Railroads-This includes
| inland and coastwise vessels.
(Class B)-Army and navy, together
with other departments of the Federal
GovernmentAThis includes bituminous
coal consumed by manufacturers or
producers of supplies for departments
of the Federal Government when such
department officially approves the re-
quest.
(Class C)-State and county depart
ments and institutions-This includes
municipal institutions.
(Class D)-Public utilities-This In
cludes the manufacture of newsprint
paper for daily issue and the printing
and publishing Of same.
List of Coal Distrfbutors.
Coal distribution is being handled
through a central committee in the
Railroad Administration. of which the
chairman is Henry B. Spencer. chief OF
the division Of purchases. The othei
members are M. Brice Clagett. as the
Director-General Of Railroads; S
Porcher, as the director of the division
|
the storage section; B. H. Phillips o.
the fuel distribution division; F. c
Wright of the same division; F. M
| Whitaker. manager of inland traffic; A
G. Gutheim. inland transportation di
vision; S. E. Freund. assistant genera
counsel, and H. Y. Saint, representing
the Shipping Board.
J. d. A. Morrow, vice-president OF -
Nationay Coal Association, denied to
night that his interview with DR.. Gar
field to-day had anything to do will
offers of settlement of the strike from
his association or from the United MIN
Workers or any suggestions OF com
promise from the Government.
senate Favors an Inquiry.
A commission to investigate the pres
ent coal strike is proposed In a join
resolution introduced by Senator Ken
yon (Ia) to-day. The President woul,
name the three commissioners. VIII,