Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-11-02

Washington, Nov. Limited States
district attorneys in all parts of the
country were ordered today by AT
torney General Palmer to report
promptly any concerted action "bA
any two or more persons" to limit fa'
cilties for transportation, production
supplying, storing or dealing in coal
or to exact excessive prices. The dis
trict attorneys were told to keep ir
close touch with the situation.
While no official explanation of the
order was available, one purpose
aimed at was understood to be to pre-
vent radical agitators among the idle
coal miners from obtaining a leader
ship.
1t was made public tonight follow
ing the return to Washington of c. B
Ames, assistant to Mr. Palmer, whS
procured for the government the in
junction in the coal strike issued yes
terday at Indianapolis by Judge An
dersou. Ames will assist in the ad
ministration of the fuel and food con
troll laws, but would not discuss th(
governments plans,
Mr.. Palmer's Instructions.
MIR. Palmer's instruction to the
district attorneys follow:
Yesterday, at Indianapolis,
Judge Anderson, on the applica-
ton of the United States, issdcd q
temporary restraining order re-
strainin9 large number of the
United Mine Workers from taxi
ing any action or proceeding of
any kind whatsoever in further
ance of the bituminous coal strike
which had lNeen previously called.
1t is of the utmost IMPORTANCE
that 1 should be promptly ad-
vised of any concerted action Dy
any two or more persons in your
district to carry forward this
strike. Please communicate with
the marshal and the local repre-
sentatives of the bureau of inves-
tigation and keep yourself fully
informed of the situation in your
district.
''If YOU discover any concerted
action by any two or more per-
sons. either employers, employees
or others, which amounts to an
agreement or arrangement to
limit the facilities for transport
ing, producing. supplying, storing
of, dealing in coal, or to restrict
the supply or distribution of same
or to exact excessive prices for
coal or to aid or abet in the do
ing of any such act, you should
advise me ut once by wire, giving
me names of persons and full
particulars.
Federal fuel administrator has
issued orders restoring former
prices fixed by fuel administra-
ton and any profiteering in coal
should be .pormptly proceeded
against"
Aside from this action by Attorne,
General Palmer, there was lull II
the coal strike situation here today
Each side was waiting apparently.
Strike Order Generally Obeyed.
Reports from mining fields
stretching from Pennsylvania t'
Washington, state, showed that thu
strike order was generally obeyed b!
union men, while non-union mlne'
remained in operation. In the centra
competitive fields, the union strong
hold, mines were closed.
Although labor leaders ASSERTED
there was zone hundred per cent
compliance with the strike order, OF
ficials believed the real test Woui'
come Monday Saturday, always
slack day at the mines offered espe
cial attractions, 1t was said, to dra'
many workers from the mines, re
gardless of the strike order.
How long the strike might run, IN
possibility of mediation, and check
up on the nations available supply o
coal, with the winter demand for rue
increasing, were the principal ques
tions to engage the attention o
cabinet members. Some of the stocl
reports were more encouraging am
with continued operation of non
union mines, it was claimed the sup
ply would meet current needs.
A vast volume of coal, the las