The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-12-05
OPERATORS
AND MINERS
N CAHooTS?
Charge is Made by Indiana
District Attorney Men
Accused of Contempt Still
Coming Into Court.
CABINET HOLDS meet
(By Associated Press)


ment agencies in Indianapolis today
continued collection and compilation
Of evidence of alleged collusion be-
tween coal miners and operators to
limit production of coal, for presenta.
ton to the federal grand jury when
It convenes here next Monday. The
special session of the grand jury was
called by United States District Judge
A. B. Anderson yesterday and accord
ing to attorneys for the government,
an investigation nationwide in its ex.
tent will be conducted.
It is declared by United States Dis
trict Attorney L. Ert Slack, and Dan
w. Simms. special district attorney
appointed in connection with the gov
ernment's injunction proceedings, that
they have evidence that the oper-
ators not only are in league with the
miners in the present strike, but that
they have former a combination OF
their own. in violation Of the Lever
fuel control act and antitrust laws.
The investigation begun by the gov
eminent follows closely the Institution
Of proceedings charging "a officials of
the United Mine Workers of America
with criminal contempt for alleged
| violation of the federal court injunc-
time the operators have been under
fire since the strike was called Nov.
I, but in view Of reports received from
time to time, was not unexpected.
| The governments representatives
stated yesterday that in addition to
seeking relief in the present fuel cris-
is. the federal agencies expect to
prosecute all persons, whether miners,
operators or dealers and to ask that
they pay the full penalty for violation
of federal statutes.
| First Hearing Tuesday.
| The first Of the hearings of charges
Of contempt will be held next Tues
day, when John L. Lewis, acting pres
ident of the United Mine Workers
and f1ve other officials in the jurisdic-
ton Of the Indiana district of the fed
eral court are cited to appear. Others
Of the 81 representatives Of the miners
will be given hearings a. soon as au'
i Idianapolis from their respective court
districts can be completed.
The fuel situation in Indiana IL
daily growing more acute and drastic
conservation measures are In ef1ect
throughout the state. Practically all
industries are operating on reduced
schedule when not suspended altogeth-
er. However. it was announced last
night. reported instruction to deny
heat, light and power produced by
public utilities plants to non-esential
} Industries. would not be carried out
Immediately. 1t was stated that orders
had been prepared to carry out en-
forcement Of this measure but that In
str,1ctions were not received by Local
railroad fuel directors and that it was
learned that in Cincinnati and Other
cities in the eastern region OF the
railroad administration such action
has been delayed.
No change was reported in the
situation in the Indiana coal fields
where all mines have been shut dowr
for more than month.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 5.-Fuel Ad
ministrator Garfield returned to Wash
ington today from Williamstown
Mass, to take personal charge Of the
coal situation. After conference
with Assistant Attorney-General Ames
he went to the white house to attend
the cabinet meeting. Director-Genera
; Hines also met with the presidents
| official family.
) DR.. Garfield appeared to be optimis
tic. He said coal production was get
ting closer to normal although the
: stringency in the middle west wa:
acute. ,
Members of a general committee
representing the coal operators whc
remained in Washington after the ad
journment of the general conference
of operators yesterday, denied in 6
statement today. published report:
that they had considered offering an!
amount to the miners considerabl!
Continued on PAGE TWeiVe)