Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-12-09

Department Of Justice OFF,
ciaIs, including Palmer, and
Heads of United Mine Work
ers, in Indianapolis for Meet.
SPEEDY SETTLEMENT OF
WALKOUT IS EXPECTED
IA Per Cent Raise Likely
Basis Of Arrangement With
Review Of Whole Situation
After Miners Returnto Work.

Indianapolis, Dec. ,8.-Department
of justice officials, including kttor-
ney General Palmer and heads Of
the United Mine Workers of Ame-
ica, who today arrived from Washing
ton, alike refused to give out any de-
tails, of the agreement reached At
Washington Saturday night looking
to a settlement of the strike Of
bituminous coal miners.
Likewise they declined to make
any statements as to the probable
effect of the agreement upon the le-
gal phases of the situation, which
include arrangements for sweeping
investigation by federal grand jury
of alleged violations the Lever
fuel control act and antitrust laws,
and criminal contempt proceedings
against "a international and district
officers Of the miners union.
At the close of conference Of
government officials with United
States District Judge Anderson,
which lasted more than two hours
this afternoon Attorney General
Palmer stated that there would be
no announcement from the govern
ment on the coal situation until after
the convening Of court at 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning when the miners
headsN are to appear before Judge
Anderson and answer the charges
of contempt 1t was announced thar
the union leaders would be REQUIRED
to appear as scheduled, but efforts
to learn if the charges would bs
dismissed or the hearing postponed
pending themeeting of the executive
board of the miners tomorrow after
noon to consider the Washington
proposal, were nent with cvasivt
answers.
Believe Action Postponed.
Belief that action against the min
ers in the contempt cases as wei
as the grand jury investigation,
which was called to probe charges
of conspiracy on the part of oper-
ators as we'll as miners, would be
postponed, was based on the actor
of government attorneys this morn
ing in procuring >postponement o
the first session of the grand jur,
until tomorrow morning at 10
O'Clock. In announcing this post
ponement, U. S. District Attorney
Slack, this morning stated that en-
panelling of the grand jury had been
held off until conferences could be
keld with Attorney General Palmer.
He stated that his announcement did
not mean that the grand jury -would
be empanelled tomorrow morning,
but that such action would not be
taken before that time.
John L. Lewis, acting president Of
the United Mine Workers, who with
Secretary-Treasurer William Green
and Walter James, legislative agent
of the miners organization arrived
on the same train from Washington
with the attorney generals party,
alec refused to discuss the Wash
ington conference of the possible
effect the agreement might might
have on pending court action. In
answer to questions, Mr.. Lewis said
that in the Washington conference
no mention was made of dismissal of
court proceedings as a part of the
proposed settlement.
The conference this afternoon be-
gan at a hotel but after short while
was adjourned to the federal build
ing in order that the Department of
Justice officials might consult with
Judge Anderson. Besides Mr.. Pal
Nmer and Judge Anderson, those who
participated in the conference in
cluded c. B. Ames. assistant to the
attorney general, United States Dis
trict Attorney L. Ert Slack, Dan w.
aimms, special assistant district at
torney. appointed in connection with
the proceedings against the miners;
Henry S. Mitchell. special assistant
to the attorney. general, and Fred
Van Nuys, who will succeed Mr..
Slack as district attorney next
month.
Meet This Afternoon.
The meeting of the executive
board of the miners has been called
for 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon
to hear the proposal made by Presi-
dent Wilson through the attorney
general, and which President Lewis
and Secretary-Treasurer Green have
agreed to urge upon the miners as a
basis for settlement of the strike.
Several of the district officials Of
the coal workers had reached In
dianapoiis late this afternoon and
the others who composed the cxecu-
tive board and scale committee, all
of whom are defendants in the con-
tempt proceedings, are expected dur
ing the night or early Tuesday.
While Mr. Lewis and Green would
not discuss the Washington confer
ence, they appeared satisfied with
Al. IL 4