The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-10-25
HURRIED CALL
T0U.S.CABINET
Quick Action by Government
Only Hope of Keeping
Miners on Job.
(BY AVID M. CHURCH.)

W.
Washington. Oct. 25.--Q. N. SD
With the nation face to face with
nationwide coal strike, hurried call
went out today for special meeting
of the cabinet.
Rejection by the miners of Presi-
dent Wilson's plea for arbitration of
the controversy between the miners
and the coal operators, disposed of
all hopes of averting the strike
through negotiation. Quick action by
the federal government was today
the only hope of keeping the miners
at work.
Secretary of War Baker had be-
fore him today demand that he in
woke the draft law in order to keep
the coal mines in operation. 1t was
said that this would be laid before
the cabinet.
Proposals for the establishment of
a new commission to replace the in
dustrial conference were also to be
laid before the cabinet as one possible
instrument of averting a general
struggle between labor and capital
which would not only cripple the en-
tire nation. but would bring on an
industrial warfare that would make
it's results felt throughout the entire
world. a,.A. IL "
Director.General Hinessof he rail-
road administration, was asked to
meetewith the cabinet to present the
situation from the standpoint of the
railroads.
Secretary Lansing Absent.
Secretary Lansing was confined to
his home with cold and could not
attend. All other members OF the
presidents official family were pres
ent and Secretary Baker presided.
Secretary Tumulty was present to
convey the views of President Wilson
on the situation.
Decline Any Forecast.
AS they entered the White House
the cabinet officials declined to make
any forecast. Some members, how
ever, were said to hold the belief that
stern action was necessary in the
face of the grave industrial situation
existing over the country.
One phase of the situation which
most officials had in mind, was that
of costs of coal to the public during
the threatened strike. 1t was said
that fair price committees working
with Atty.-Gen. Palmer to reduce
the cost of living, probably would
add coal to the commodities on which
they have issued fair prices. Officials
said the department of justice would
not undertake to set a national price
for coal, because of ,the differences
between mining costs and freight
rates, but that the question would be
handled locally.
Just before the cabinet met, John
L. Lewis, president of the United
Mine, Workers of America, sent word
to unions throughout the country
that work in the mines would stop
next Friday night.
Lewis said the strike would last
until the government is able to in
duce the stubborn coal operators to
deal humanely with the men who
mine the coal. And one mans guess
is as good as another's on that" he
added.
Before leaving fol home, members
of the miners full scale committee
said they realized now that public
sentiment was largely against the
miners. but contended the"o would be
a quick change with the first evi-
dence of profiteering."
"Is for the Fight"
Il am for the fight" said one mem
Der of the cabinet.
While there apparently was no dis
position to criticise either the oper-
ators or miners for the failure of the
negotiations conducted by Secretary
Wilson, officers who discussed the
situation spoke of a mass attack on
the government"
There seemed to be doubt whether
the cabinet would-issue a statement
as to the governments attitude re-
garding the coal strike. In White
House circles, the thought was that
the governments position could best
be stated by President Wilson in a
formal statement to the public. Some
officials thought the cabinet would
recommend this course.
Senator Offers Resolution.
In the senate Senator Thomas in
troduced a resolution calling upon the
executive branch of the government
to "vindicate the power and majesty
of the law" in the threatened strike
The resolution, which is to be called
up Monday. declares the strike would
provoke violence, bloodshed and in
surrection."
The resolution would pledge tae
constant, continuous and unquali.
fled support" of congress to "the ma.
tional administration an, II other.
in authority" in meeting "the grea
emergency confronting u.s.
Great Service Rendered.
I'VE respectfully suggest that ;
very great service could be rendered
to the nation. to employers and EN-.
ployes alike, if in the department o
labor there were established a bureau
for the purpose OF gathering anC
making available accurate informa
tion concerning all conciliation anC
arbitration experiments and their ra
suits. Such a bureau could give ex.
pert advice and assistance to any per.