Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-11-25
NJ ADOO CHARGES
HUGE PROFITS
FROM COAL MINES
Settlement of Dispute Soon
to Be in Hands of President
WASon-MiddIe West Suf-
fers From Strike s

@NH" AOLNAS NOV. l4.-SOLL coal
mine owners made Shocking and in
defensible" profits in 1917 and there
is grave doubt that they are en-.
titled to increased prices because of
the proposed 81 per cent increase in
miners wages, William G. McAdoo,
former secretary of the treasury, de-
clared today in telegram to Fed
eral Fuel Administrator Garfield. The
owners profits as shown by their in
apme tax returns examined by him
as secretary of the treasury in 1912
he said, showed earnings on capital
stock ranging from is to 1000 per
cent.
II am convinced that the wage In
creases proposed for the mine work
ers are just and reasonable" he
stated.
Before deduction Of exce1s profits
taxes-which were, less In 1917 than
now-these income tax returns show
ed that the earnings OF 100 to 500
per cent on capital stock were not
uncommon" Mr.. McAdoo's telegram
asserted. as-s4 ..
Referring to the bituminous milne
owners income tax returns for 1913,
which he said he had not seen, the
telegram said:
IF they disclose any such profits
as earned by the bituminous coal
operators in 1917, it would be a grave
wong to NIT the operators to
take from the public additional prof
its in ale form of increased prices
for bituminous coal"
Mr.. McAdoo urged that no increase
in prices of soft coal to consumers
be allowed and that the income tax
returns of the soft coal mine owners
be made public.
CABINET EXPECTED no TAKE
ACTION AT MEETING TUESDAY
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24.-settle-
ment of the coal strike is expected ia
be put squarely up to President
Wilson after the meeting of his
cabinet tomorrow. The cabinet 40
slated to go over the. whole problem.
and then the various proposals and
counter proposals that have been
made, together with the operators'
contention that the public will have
miners demands are met, probably
will be placed before the president
and his advice sought.
DR.. Garfield, Attorney-Gene
Palmer, and Assistant Attorney Gem
eral Ames went into conference this
afternoon to discuss the general
coal strike situation.
Coal operators are waiting for the
rrrNN anrHk %n q
for increased fuel prices.
Operators hope to hear soon from
Fuel Administrators Garfield, with
whom they asked a conference Sat
urday. They declare they will not,
unless ordered by the government,
go beyond their offer to the miners
Of a 20 per cent wage raise which
would increase prices 35 cents a. ton
to consumers. =
Miners contend the government al
ready has given this order through
Labor Secretary Wilson, who pro-
posed a compromise on the basis Of
a 81 per cent increase.
Were willing to accept that COM
promise" said John l.. Lewis, acting
president Of the United Mine Work
ers' union.
into the cabinet meeting tomorrow
prepared to fight for approval of his
proposal.
Many operators have openly urged
the breaking off Of all negotiations
until the miners return to work.
Ten thousand union miners in
Maryland and West Virginia, who
returned to work upon receipt of the
-AcA fr{lF tAI
fused to go into the mines. Francis
Drum, president of the Maryland
miners district council, today re-
ceived a long-distance telephone
communication saying the men
would stay out until settlement is
reached at the joint conference.
PITTSBURG MINERS no
AWAIT WAGE AGREEMENT
PITTSBURG, Nov. 24.-The union
miners of the Pittsburg district will
not return to work until their lead
ers and the coal operators commit
tee have signed new wage agree
ment in Washington, was the opin-
ion expressed at United Mine Work.
ers' headquarters here today.
VIRGINIA MILITIA is
SENT TO LEE COUNTY
RICHMOND, Va, Nov. 24.-With
the possibility of having to deal with
band of radical mine workers who
have armed themselves with machine
guns, Governor Westmoreland Davis
and five companies Of state militia
today are en- route to Lee county.
According to reports received here
certain element among the miners
in Lee county has started trouble and
refused to allow their fellow mem
bers to return to work. Tho radicals
are reported to have mounted ma