The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1919-10-31
PRESIDENT DETERMINED THAT
PUBLIC SHALL HAVE AN ABE.
QUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL
SITUATION STILL UNCHANGED
Government Will Make no Announce.
ment Regarding Its Operation Of
Mines Until Al Chances Of
Settlement Are Past


country waited expectantly yesterday
for the miners answer to presiden,
Wilson's blunt command that the soft
coal strike ordered for Saturday be
called off.
There was not a word. however. to
show where the United Mine Workers
of America stood or what the govern
ment would do in the event that the
presidents solemn warning that the
mines must be kept in full and conrin-
nous operation was ignored.
Considering the temper of labor, Of
fetal Washington took the view that
while there was hope of compliance
by the 100000 miners who had been
ordered out there was no absolute as.
surance that the presidents letter.
part appeal and part command-would
bring peace to the coal fields. But
there seemed to be no doubt of the
governments determination to see
that the people obtained an adequate
coal supply to keep them from suf-
fering and permit the nations vast in
dustries to continue operation.
Government viii Act.
While declining to comment on the
future course of action should the
strike take place. members of the
presidents cabinet intimated that the
government would not sit with folded
hands in the face Of threatened in
dustrial disaster
John l.. Lewis. president of the
United Mine Workers of America, the
one man whose word would have most
weight with the 100000 ready to walk
out. was out of touch with labor lead
ers here, while speeding homeward to
take personal charge of the strike.
Lewis left Washington Saturday night
for Springfield. Ill.,. procaming to the
last that the situation was unchanged
and that the union was still ready and
willing to negotiate Il new wage agree
ment.
As far rs it concerned the contro-
versey between the miners and oper-
ators. the outstanding declaration by
President Wilson was that the war;
time agreement, which the miners con-
tend no longer exists. still is in full
force and effect and will stand "dur-
ing the continuance of the war, but
not beyond April !. 1920" Looking at
it in practical" way. Lewis and the
fN11 Sao1A I'm, col,
the war ended with the
and the miners. for full
year. have worked ut the old wage as
their voluntary contribution to the Job
of helping the country get back to
normal.
Miners Say War Is Over.
There was !: suggestion last night
that the cabinet might decide to send
Secretary of Labor Wilson to Indian.
apolS to confer with the executive
board Of the United Mine Workers Of
which will meet there We'd
nesday. Labor leaders here said that
in view OF the efforts made by the
secretary to settle the strike and in
the light of the presidents emphatic
announcement that the mines had to
remain open. a personal word spoken
to members of the board might pave
the way for peace.
The strike call was issued and sign.
ed by executive officers of the United
Mine Workers lin conformity with the
vested by the international
at Cleveland on Septem-
Der %, and while President Lewis de-
clined while here to discuss that
phase of the question. it is held that
the men who had the power to order
the strike likewise have the power to
call it off
Some labor leaders said the execu.
tive board could act for the whole or
ganiZation and that Lewis and the
other executive officers could hold up
or withdraw the strike order, if they
saw fit to do So
1t was sal! last night there would be
no announcement of the governments
policy representing operation of the
mines until it was definitely known
the unions would insist on the
strike. But there seemed to be no
doubt OF the fact that ample protec-
ton would be afforded miners who
stuck to the job. Inasmuch as there
was no strike vote by the men. the be-
lief prevails in some quarters that not
all OF the thousands affected by the
order to walk out will obey.