The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-31
COAL TOLAST FOR 5
WEEKS IN U. S. STOCK
!cont~u.d from F,4st Page.

lated situation of the most OF the min
ing communities. surround them with
troops and attempt to starve them into
working by an embargo on their food.
you'll throw the whole country into a
labor war, that's all. I'm afraid you
can't do that"
Estimates Of the capacity Of the coun-
try to endure the strike still vary wide
ly. The union leaders profess to believe
that II IL scapt. They are talking about
the strike being over in three days. The
operators who probably know the situa-
ton better. are talking about three
weeks.
There is general approval among the
operators of the steps taken In Washing
ton to meet the situation. They approve
the recall OF DR.. Garfield, large as was
their one time distaste for him and his
restrictive methods. They approve the
proposals TO Ak prices and allocate coal
according to vital needs These steps
have already been begun in the industry
itself.
Wherever possible wholesalers, dis
tributers and retailers have made sur
veys and have made sure of which users
have stocks and those who have none.
They have already established a policy
Of dealing II out to the needy. This
does not mean that the needy have not
had to pay fabulous prices for coal
within the last few days and the re-
spectacle operators are welcoming the
declaration Of a price fixing policy in
Washington as a check against a ten
dency in their ranks which might easily
ALLEVIATE the public sentiment which
they fell so far is with them.
Eject on. the Railroads.
The railroads are described as the
most vital OF all the consumers, and 1t
is predicted that they will be pretty well
able to take care of themselves for at
least three weeks. Little coal brought
above ground during the week has been
delivered to its consignees. Most of it,
amounting to five or six million tons, is
in the hands Of the railroads to-day in
transit. They also have other stocks
in their possession. Not only will they
get priority on this coal from the Fuel
Administration regulations but they
have at any time the right to comman-
deer coal in transit for their own emer-
gency uses.
There Is a considerable belief in many
quarters that IL they receive the ade-
quate protection which the President has
promised the operators can mine some
the best informed. They admit the
truth OF the strikers triumphant slogan:
"You can't mine coal with bayonets!'
There are nevertheless many men
who believe that with the tremendous
display Of public sentiment against them
which the strike is rure to bring Out
through the press, in the moving picture
theatres and in every gathering. there
will be many members of the United
Mine Workers who will go to the mines
II safety is assured to them. They count
vn the fact also that public sentiment
Will Influence the rs per cent. Of unor'
ganized miners to remain at work.
1t is admitted, however. that the unor
ganized miners will fall far short o.
meeting the national emergency. Fol-
the most part they are in outlying dis
tricts and supplying special or loca
needs.
Expect Non-Unionists to Go Out
The United Mine Workers still insls'
that their own men will be followed on
by their unorganized neighbors. They