Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-12-07
N ORE OPTIMISM
EXPRESSED over
COAL SITUATION
Increased Production Noted in
Several States - Restric-
tions Acute-WiII Rush
Prosecutions.

in central and eastern states was
expected to result next week in
wholesale shutdowns of factories
and shops. The prospect was that
nearly 100000 workers owuld be idle
in Chicago with 100000 or more
unemployed in Detroit and lesser
numbers affected in large cities Of
other states. ...
Among government announce
ments expected to aid the territory
west of Chicago and St. Louis was
an embargo on shipments of fuel
oil east of those cities and proposed
prosecutions of profiteers in oil. The
lattef decision was preceded by a
complaint that oil companies had
advanced prices from ST to $3.50
barrel since the miners strike began
on November l.
Vigorous Prosecution.
The government proceeded vigor-
ously in the plans for prosecution
of miners and others for continu-
ing the strike and retarding produc-
ton in violation of the Lever and
the antitrust acts. Judge Ander-
sons Injunction issued at Indian
apolis, the original action virtually
prohibiting the strike, was supple
mented by Federal Judge Keller of
West Virginia enjoining 549 union
mine workers officials in that state.
While preparations went ahead
rapidly at Indianapolis for opening
a grand jury investigation Monday,
"a number of union leaders we're ar
rested in several states. Thirteen
miners, members of two unions at
Clinton, Ind, also were arrested.
All were cited for contempt by
Judge Anderson.
Wartime Coke Prices.
The government also resumed
wartime fixed prices on coke. A
federal libel action against two con-
Germs in Spokane, Wash, was dis
missed by agreement for reduc-
ton of 81 a ton on gas coke.
All mines in West Virginia on
the Western Maryland railroad be-
tween Piedmont and Elkins, w. Va,
resumed operations with 80 per cent
of the men at work, It was reported.
Continued operation of the West
Virginia union mines were marked
by conflicting statements of oper-
ators and union leaders respecting
the New River Field. Operators
claim IS per cent production while
union men declared it was not
greater than 81 per cent.
A few men returned to work in
one Oklahoma mine employing "a
miners.
State troops were withdrawn from
Southern Colorado where operation |
was said to be normal but Denver
cut business hours sharply on &C
count of shortage of coal.
The important operation of the
central competitive field in Pennsyl- !
vania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois |
showed no change.
Iowa Operators Firm.
Iowa operators made no change |
of their attitude toward state con- !
troll of the mines Monday with
competent labor. Kansas surface
mines continued operation with vol
unteer workers although rain ham
pered the men. Eight carloads OF
coal were shipped from the Chero- |
kee-Crawford county pits. Up 10
last night q carloads of coal had
been mined. None had reached con-
sumers yet.
AT McAlester, Okl., 800 vo1un-
teers were at work under the di-
rectlon of Governor Robertson.
Volunteer miners also were at
work in Missouri strip mines and
80 union miners agreed to return to /
work at Hume, Mo.
Governor Cox of Ohio, planned
to resume negotiations with miners
and operators Monday looking to-
ward resumption of operations H.
that state.
Governor Goodrich of Indiana
began negotiations with owners OF
surface mines in that state in the
hope of resuming with volunteers.
Officials at Washington agreed to !,