Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-10-27

tive board could act for the whole
organization, and that Lewis and
the other executive officers could
hold up or withdraw the strike Or
der II they saw fit to do so.
James Lord. president Of the mine
workers division of the American
Federation OF Labor, declined 10
comment on the strike situation. 1t
was said tonight there would be no
announcement of the governments
policy respecting operation Of the
mines until it was definitely known
whether the unions would insist on
the strike, But there seemed to be
no doubt Of the fact that ample pro-
lection would be afforded miners
who stuck to their Jobs. Inasmuch
as there was no strike vote by the
men the belief prevails in some quar-
tiers that not all the thousands af-
fected by the orders to walk out will
obey.
The next movement toward set
Element Of the strike it was said,
must come from the miners. the
operators having accepted "in its en-
tirety" President Wilson's proposal,
made to the joint conference Friday,
that the two sides start with a new
slate, negotiate their differences, re-
sorting to arbitration only when
negotiations failed and keep the
mines in operation.
Officials believe it Is possible to
reopen the case in view Of Lewis
statement that the miners were will
ing to negotiate a new wage agree
ment the big bone of contention.
Full Co-operation.
Springfield. ILL.,, Oct, 26,-Full CO.
operation of the state Of Illinois
with President Wilson in the presi-
dents announced stand against the
strike of coal miners, scheduled for
November /, was pledged by Gov.
Frank 0. Lowden, ito the end that
the people shall not suffer-" in
statement issued here.
Governors Suggestion.
Declaring that "a general strike
would seem, in effect, to substitute
soviets for the duly constituted
authority of the land,n Governor
Lowden suggested that Compulsory
arbitration Of the differences be-
tween employers and employees
might become necessary.
The governor said the strike was
"a strike against the American pub
hc," There was no hint OF any in
tention to use state troops to put
down possible disturbances due to
the threatened strike.
Governor Lowden's statement fol-
lows; \
"The statement of the president
makes the issue plain. When a spe-
eial interest conflicts with the inter-
ests of the people as whole, the
former must give way. The strike.
no doubt, has been the most power
| ful weapon in the hands of labor to
improve its conditions. So long as
the strike affected directly only the
employer. the public could not OBJ
jeet.. The threatened coal strike,
however, is strike against the
American public. In fact, it is like
ly that the public will suffer more
than the operators themselves.
Must 30 Under Control.
whenever any organization,
whether of capital or labor, becomes
so powerful as to be able to give or
to withhold from the public the ne
cessities of life, such organization
| must come under the control of the
government. Otherwise the part
becomes greater than the whole. If
the only alternative to a strike or
to labor difficulties of any nature is
the compulsory arbitration of differ
ences between employers and EN-
pleyes engaged in such vital under
takingS, compulsory arbitration to
that extent will have to come. Those
leaders of labor who meet such a
suggestion with the threat of gen
eral strike do not help the cause of
labor, A general strike would mean,
in effect. an effort to substitute So
vlets for the duly constituted
authority of the land. The people
are not yet ready to abandon their
form of government.
"Illinois will cooperate with the
president to the extent of its power,
to the end that its people shall not
suffer"
Expect Suitable Reply"
indianapolis, Ind. Oct ga
Suitable reply" to President Viii
sons statement holding the impend-
;no co,l ,,,;perc, c+r;Ee IA he oot nn1v
'unjustihable, but unlawful, probably