The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-10-31
Federal Court Enjoins Miners
From lk-0ut-Too Late,
Say Strikers.
kENTUCKIAMS RUE BACK
Three Counties Rescind Strike
Order--Injunction Is
y Drastic Document.

Order--Injunction Is
Drastic Document.
Indianapolis, Ind, Oct. s1.-So
coal miners of the United States wei
~enjoined from striking at midnigi
tonight, under the terms of tempe
rary restraining order issued by FED
eral Judge A. B. Anderson here to
day. Conspiracy to restrict produC
tion and transportation of coal
charged under the Lever act.
First Break in Strike.
The first break in the impendir
coal strike was announced by the d,
partment Of labor this afternoon.
Secretary Wilson issued the follow
ing statement:
The department. Of labor has bee
informed that the strike order fl
Nov. has been 'rescinded in Hopkin
Webster and Christian counties, ken
tucky. These counties comprise one
haIf OF the western Kentucky fieI
and employ about 5000 men,"
Government officials expressed
belief that this was but tho first {
a series OF such decisions by tn
miners.
Terms Of Injunction.
The order was directed against
Frank G. Hayes, the incapaci-
tated president of the union;
John l.. Lewis, acting president,
William Green, secretary treas
urer, and all other officials of
the organization. 1t took effect
when served and will continue in
force until after the formal hear
ing. which Judge Anderson set
for Nov. 8.
The order enjoins the officials
from starting Or encouraging the
strike On the broad, general
grounds that disaster threatens
the country and the strike would
tic up the transportation sys-
I uisser il L Nh She ..1 lofasfe the Union OF.
ficials are commanded to with
draw strike orders already issued
and are forbidden to send out
any other orders, written or oral
tending to promote the strike or
in any way make it effective.
They are restrained from sending
any messages of encouragement
Or eXhortation" or from disburs-
ing any union funds as strike
benefits.
The temporary injunction was
issued in the federal district
court, at Indianapolis, on appli-y
cation of the United States gov
ernment. Judge Anderson signed
the order on the showing set
forth by c. B.. Ames, assistant at
torney- general, that a national
disaster was impending, .and on
the broad, general grounds that
the government has the right to
enforce it's laws and protect its
people from calamity.
In presenting the petition,
Judge Ames made it clear the case
will not involve the general right
of workmen to organize or quit
work. He said it would have
no bearing on-other industries,
and merely Involves the right
of labor during the war to re-
strict or destroy the supply of
food and fuel"
ut rests" he added. ION the
broad, general powers of the gov
ernment to enforce it's laws and
protect its people against disas-
ter"
Eighty-fou officials of the
mine workers organization were
named defendants in the re-
- Straining order. Deputy United
States marshals began serving
the writs Immediately after Judge
Anderson attached his signature.
Until After Midnight.
A conference that lasted until afte
midnight was held in the fedora
building last night. but at its clos
participants declined to discuss tn
proceedings. Neither would they ever
hint as to what course would b'
followed in an effort to counteract th'
efficiency of the strike.
Either of two plans of action b!
the government present themselves
Under the Lever act, which makes i
agree to limit the production of ne.
cessities of life, union leaders nigh
be arrested in an effort to preven
them from carrying out strike plans
or an injunction to restrain the min.
ers' officials from conducting thu
strike might be asked. The lattel
plan probably would be the most pro.
ductive of results from the stand
point of the government, inasmuch as
an injunction, if granted, would deny
to strike leaders many of the facilitie,
for putting through their plans. Sucf
an order might prevent the distribu-
ton of the miners benefit fund
which officials say exceeds $4,000,
300, prohibit the holding of meeting.
by miners, and deny to leaders The
use of mails and wire services fol
the transmission of orders and an
nouncements incidental to stoppagC
Of production.
Messages Express Confidence.
Early today messa ges began pour
ing into international headquarters
Of the United Mine Workers ol
America from bituminous districts
the country, declaring
miners were prepared for the walk
out tonight and expressing confidence
the industry would be effectively tied
up before tomorrow morning. Union
heads stated that in many districts
the strike really would become ei-
fective late this afternoon, as n
large number of mines do not employ
night shifts.
Some interest was displayed in the
of operators of the central
field, scheduled to be held
n Cleveland today, but on the whole
his interest was apathetic. Leaders
-------------- -