Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-12-05
U. S. TO FORCE
Mine OPERATION
Troops viii Protect Workers if
Needed, Is the Official
EGiCt.
BAKER TO FURNISH SOLDIERS
Department Commanders to Use Reg
ulars to Preserve Order and Pro-
vide Protection for Those De-
string to Work

Washington, Dec. 1.-The govern
ment served blunt notice on soft coal
miners and operators that interference
with coal production would not be
tolerated.
Warning that legal prosecution
would be employed to thwart conspir-
acies by either side and troops sent
wherever necessary to protect miners
willing to work came from the depart
ment of justice after members of the
cabinet had considered every phase of
the fuel situation, admittedly critical.
in view of the abrupt breaking off of
negotiations.
1t is not the intention of the gov
ernment to let the mines remain idle
with half of the country in the grip
of cold weather and the coal sup
plies rapidly diminishing.
Seizure Of mines where the owners
do not show a disposition to Co
operate In increasing production has
been decided upon, 1t was stated off,
cially.
The administration. 1t was thought,
had fully expected the miners to re-
ject the IA per cent wage increase
offered by Fuel Administrator Gar
field Anticipating this, plans had
been considered for augmenting the
present output of bituminous mines
officially figured at better than Al
per cent of normal.
A statement by Assistant Attorney
General Ames gave assurance to al
miners that they would be afforded
ample protection If they returned tc
work, even II troops had to be called
| out. This was the only definite state
ment of policy from the government
In official circles 1t was said that the
federal authorities were determined tt
force resumption Of operations on thu
terms laid down by the fuel admins
traitor.
Secretary Baker, Mr.. Ames said, al
ready has authorized department com
manders when requested y>state au
thorities to use troops to preserve or
der. That policy provides protection
for those desiring to work, he said.
Discussing department Of justic'
plans, Mr.. Ames said:
"All United States attorneys in tn
bituminous fields have been officiall.
advised of the result of the negoti
ations at Washington and have beel
given instructions relative to the stu
alton.
ut is, of course, obvious that tn
time has come when ample protection
will be furnished all persons desirin
to work in mines. All persons, whett
er miners or operators, making a
agreement or arrangement with eac
other to restrict the supply of coal wi
be proceeded against as the law pre-
vides, and it should be understood tina
any person who aids or abets in re
stricting the supply of coal is Hkewis
guilty by the terms of the Lever act.
instructions heretofore issued b
the war department are still in fore
Nand, under these instructions, depart
ment commanders will act In prope
cases when requested to do so
the state authorities
Operators set out to resume prt
duction, as far as possible under th
muddled conditions, by telegraphin
notice for posting at mines everywher
offering an increase of ii per Ger
for ali men willing to work.
There were few expressions as I
how this information might be II
ceived, but representatives Of the m
ners still here said it would be no il
centive and that it would be ignore,
especially In the central competitiy
fields, embracing Ohio, Illinois, Ind
ana and western Pennsylvania