The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1919-11-20
GOVERNMENT TO FORCE
STRIKE SETTLEMENT

Washington, ID. c., Nov. 18.-The
government stepped to the front to-
day to force miners and operators
to negotiate a new wage agreement
and resume work in the btuminous
fields before the country is in the
grip of coal famine.
Clothed with all of his wartime
powers as fuel administrator, and
acting by direct authority of the
presidents cabinet, DR. Harry A.
Garfield called joint meeting of the
scale committees, at which he was
expected to give formal notice that
the time had come to resume min
ing operations on normal scale
The joint conference will be held
tomorrow. Meanwhile word was
passed that the strike situation had
reached that point where action was
regarded as absolutely imperative.
There was no evidence, as present
ed to the cabinet, that the scale COM
mittees, called last week to neRo-
tiate a new wage agreement. had
made any Roadway.
Reports from the central competi-
tive fields, embracing the states Of
Illinois. Indiana, Ohio, and western
Pennsylvania, strongholds OF the IN
tied Mine Workers Of America, show
ed all mines shut down and not
enough coal coming from non-union
plants TO meet the normal demand
BY several million tons. Other re-
ports from widely separated sections
brought the same story of rapidly
vanishing coal supply, with indica-
tons that hundreds of industrial
plants would be forced TO close
shortly unless coal production was
put back to normal In the view of
many officials the situation was crit
ical enough to demand drastic ac-
ton.
Although he would not discuss the
nature of the statement he was pre-
pared to lay before the operators
and miners, il was stated on high au-
thority that DR. Garfield was pre-
pared to present the situation forci-
bly, to the chief representatives Of
the mine owners and mine workers.
The operators scale committee
sent word to the miners that it was
not ready TO meet them in joint ses-
sion. Commenting on statement
issued tonight by their executive
committee denying that the confer
ence sis being held 10 because of
and indecisions on the
part Of the operators" spokesemen
for the operators declared their poll
CIV has been under consideration in
their secret sessions.
The probable attitude of the adj
and the fact that the
miners have not returned to work
were said to be the principle sub
jects which have occupied their time.
The failure Of the United Mine
Workers Of America to tell the men
to return to their jobs was said to
have left the negotiations in virtual
" the same state as when the threat
Of a strike caused the breakup of
The Buffalo meeting.
The action Of Governor Allen in
throwing Kansas mines into the
hands Of receiver admittedly was
operators much concern.
Harry N. Taylor, president Of the
1otl a1n'ttAtohf anu A''
w. Lukins Of Kansas City, president
n the Southwestern Coal Operators
association conferred with assistant
attorney general Ames with respect
10 illegal phases" Of the situation.
Mr.. Luklns teiegraphed Governor
Allen that his organization was rea-
dy 10 make wage scales. which may
be adjusted later. retroactive TO the
date on which the miners return 90
work. Operators, he said. will meet
with the union officials of district
No "a, embracing al Kansas. for
discussion In the new wage contract,
Immediately after the conferences
here Il ended.
~ Governor Allen can got the
mlnesr back % work, that's flne."
said NJ Lnklns Who adiei that The
operators would b. Justified In ssek.
lng an injunction IN the federal
court n The governor gave them b..
nuaGs o. return a. woFk
oihsT officials etpFesssd The be-