The sun., 1919-10-28
CABINET TOT DISCUSS
LABOR CRISIS TO-DAY
Continued from First Page.


Government tho operators have been
able to procure much higher prices than
under Government regulation.
The operators who are accusing us
or violating the contract are refusing
to-day to fulfill contracts made at lower
figures, recognizing that they can sell
their coal at the mines at any price.
The reason that many public utilities
are suffering from lack of coal is that
the operators are selling it at auction
prices, the highest bidder getting it.
position, the position taken by all en-
ployers of labor, the intent to WEIGH on
promises made during the war, the in
tent to use the advantages that we, in
our desire to help the Government, fur
nish them to crush the hope and aspira-
ton of all men who work."
Attorney-General Palmer had a long
conference with Secretary of Labor VIII
son to-day. 1t was not denied that the
coal strike was the subject of discussion,
but Mr.. Palmer declined to make a
statement with reference to law en-
forcement in connection with the pro-
posed strike. He made 1t known that
the Government was hopeful of coopera-
ton from the rank and file OF the miners
and indicated that talk Of enforcement
was entirely premature
Oficials in Washington do not expect
any sort of formal reply to the state
ment issued by the President until after
the meeting of the miners executive
committee in indianapolis Wednesday.
Walkout of 100000 Predicted.
While maintaining a strictly expect
ant attitude there is not break In the
spirit of determination shown by Gov
eminent officers in the Saturday state
ment. They are particularly watchful of
the radical element among the miners
but are preparing to move cautiously for
fear that direct action against these men
might be mistaken for forceful meas
ures with the rank and file of mire
workers. who it is believed will prove
loyal to the Government cause when the
issue is drawn.
Labor leaders in Washington show an
equally determined attitude. They dis
cussed figures as to the probable extent
of the strike and said no less than 4OO.-
600 union men of the 600, 900 bituminous
miners in the country would go out.
In some quarters an effort by mine
workers leaders to tie up the coal
strike with the steel strike is feared It
has been suggested that the mine work.
ers' executive committee might take the
position OF being willing to call off the
strike November l until referendum
was taken it the Government would use
its suasive powers to bring negotiations
wit Mr. fnr Entt lnvt, ntnt 81 lNn
steel strike.
To Give Every Miner Work.
James Lord. president of the mining
department of the American Federation
of Labor. declared that the operators
had done nothing to help settle the con-
troversy, and that the only object in
seeking to shorten the working hours
was to bettsg distribute the work,
The miners" he said, ARE asking six
hours work a day, Ave days a week and
a so per cent. increase in wages.
The only object in shortening the
hours of labor per week is TO give every
miner a chance to live on whatever bust
ness there is At present there is not
three days work week for all miners
the year around. The average bitumi-
nous miner made $500 during the past
year.
About two-thirds of the coal industry
is organized and IL a strike were called
there would be about 400, 900 strikers.
There was never a coal shortage
during the war. There was. trouble due
to lack of transportation, but the miners
were not to blame for that. There was
actual want among miners during the
war on account of lack OF work, despite
the fact that they broke all bituminous
coal records