The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-12-05
yves MUST OPEN,
MS GOVERNMENT
OPS WILL BE SENT WHER-
EVER NECESSARY TO PROTECT
WORKERS IN PITS
ALL NEGOTIATIONS ARE OFF
ners' Representatives Refuse to Ac-
-pt IA Per Cent Increase Author
lied by Fuel Administrator
Situation Is Serious

Washington. Nov 29.--The govern
ment served blunt notice on soft coal
miners last night that interference
with coal production would not be toll
Grated.
Warning that legal prosecution
would be employed to thwart con-
spiracies by either side and troops sent
| where necessary TO protect miners
willing to work came from the depart
| ment of justice after members of the
cabinet had considered every phase of
the fuel situation. admittedly critical,
In view of the abrupt breaking off of
negotiations.
1t is not the intention of the gov
eminent to let the mines remain idle
with half of the country in the grip of
cold weather and the coal supplies
rapidly diminishing.
The administration, it was thought
by those in position to know, had
fully expected the miners to reject
the IA per cent wage increase offered
by Fuel Administrator Garfield. An
ticipating this, plans had been con-
sidered for augmenting the present
output of bituminous mines, officially
figured at better than 40 per cent of
normal
A statement by Assistant Attorney
General Ames issued late in the day
gave assurance to all miners that
they would be afforded ample pro-
lection if they returned TO work, even
if troops had to be called out. This
was the only definite statement of
+ha Tn,
cial circles, it was said that the fed
eral authorities were determined to
force resumption of operations on the
terms laid down by the fuel admin
istrator.
The department of justice called |
to the fact that instructions |
issued heretofore by the war depart |
ment in connection with the possibil- |
ity of troops I'm coal fields regions |
still were in effect and that depart
ment commanders stood ready to |
guard the fields the instant their aid |
was requested by the state authorities.
Operators last night set out to- re-
sumo production. as far as that was
possible under the muddled conditions,
by telegraphing notice for posting at
mines everywhere offering an in
crease of IA per cent for all men
willing to work.
There were few expressions as to
low this information might be receiv-
ID. but representatives of the miners
iere still declared II would be no in
.entive and that Ii would be ignored,
specially IN the central competitive
ields. embracing the states of Ohio,
Illinois, Indiana and western Pennsyl-
'ania. Operators, however, believe
hat it Will draw large numbers 20
he mines and that next week will see
big increase In the daily soft coal ,
utput.
DIR. Garfield had explained earlier
n the day that he regarded IA per
ent a just and sufficient wage adj
ance for mine workers and that mine
wners who did not pay it would find
heir properties taken over and OPP
rated by the fuel administration.
John L. Lewis, acting president of
'ho had borne the brunt of the wage
egotiatiOn fight, went home last
light, worn out by the long wrangle.
efore leaving for Indianapolis. Lewis
NV Secretary of Labor Wilson and
ainuel Gompers, president of the .
merican Federation of Labor. He
ID not have much to say about the
tuation. and explained that he had ,
with Gompers TO have the :
deration's lawyers assist counsel for ,
lie miners in perfecting their appeal !,
ON fine rllIing of Federal Juduo An
.rson. ordering the coal strike order g
ncelled.
In labor and official circles the meet
& of Lewis and Gompers was regard
as significant, but there was no
atement concerning questions dis =
ssed except Lewis reference to seek y
g counsel aid.