The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-11-01
the war industries boards prefer.

the war industries boards prefer
ence list.
I s. Jobbcrs.
7 o. Lake
! 10. Underwater
| DIR. Garfield said the domestic
consumers OF coal would obtain
their supply in accordance with the
/ rating now enjoyed by public utili-
! ties and retail dealers,
Because Of the lack of time IL!
hich to assemble the organization
of the United States fuel admins
tration the railroad administration
assumed its functions, DIR. Garfield
said. He has. however. sent teie-
graphic directors to the twenty
seven Representatives of the fuel ad-
ministration in coal producing Ill
visions, TO hold themselves in reaai-
ness to cooperate in every wsy
with agents of the railroad admins
tratiou who are now in the coal
fields supervising the work OF dis
tribution.
Secretary Of Labor Wilson today
gave out the text of the message he
sent to John I. Lewis, president OF
the United Mine Workers, in which
he made final effort TO effect Il
compromise.
KENTUCKY MINERS REMAIN.
The department OF labor today re-
ceived information that the strike
order effective November |. had been
reReindod by the 5000 mine workers
tn Hopkins. Christian and webster
counties, Kentucky. These counties
comprise one half Of the western coal
fields
Not much significance was attached
to this action, however, as these par
ticu1ar miners did not enter me union
until last September and at that time
they made an eighteen months con-
tract with the operators guaranteeing
the latter against any strike or stop
page In work during the period of the
contract
Following is the statement issued
tonight from the American Fedora
tion Of Labor by President Gompers.
Vice President VOL. and Secretary
Morrison condemning the govern
ment's policy in the coal strike.
LABOR STATEMENT.
Throughout that period Of the
war and during the nations time OF
stress the miners of America labored
patiently, periodically and arduously
In order that the principles OF free
over the forces Of arbitrary authority.
dictatorship and despotism.
when armed police ceased last No
verber the miners found themselves
in the paradoxical position when their
intensive labors were being used TO
further enrich the owners OF coat
mines and merchants dealing in coal
by the immediate reduction of the
mining of coal or course the mine
owners readily conceived that an
overabundance Of mined coal would
seriously disturb the high prices Of
coal and endanEer their large margin
OF pronts.
"On the other hand the miners
found that with the constantly rtsin :,
cost OF necessities OF life and with
their income reduced over so per cent
because OF the ldleness that they
reached the limit of human endur'
ance Orderly and approved processes
were invoked to negotiate new I'M
Outstanding with the mine owners
and which would enable the miners
10 work at least Ave days during eac n
week throughout the entire year and
allow them wage sufficient TO ena
BILE them To live In decency and free
from many Of the pressing Uncertain
ties of life.
| I'm attempting TO negotiate this
new understanding and relation the
miners found that their plea for con-
tinuous employment would destroy
/ the mine owners arrAu cement to cur
! tain the mining of coal SO as to con-
! tnue exploiting the public with
! high and exorbitant prices.
The mine owners very cleverly
} met the issue by appearing willing
and anxious. 10 negotiate but only II
J the miners would first throw aside
: the only power at their command &c
( gain n respectful hearing and fair
! consideration~--the decision to strike
whenever II was demonstrated fair
! dealing did not prevail.
we are now faced with a coal
, strike ri vast magnitude. Tho gov
eminent now proposes to intervene
because OF a possible coal shortage
Apparently the government is not
concerned with the manipulation by
the mine owners which has made for
the present coal shortage and undue
| employment Of the miners tor the
| past eleven months.
WAR MEASURES.
Instead OF dealing with those re-
( sponsihle for this grave menace +
the public welfare it now proposes
10 punish those who by force Of cir
cumstances have been the victims
! nt.ths coal harops sxplnitato1aSe The
i liners are now told the war * not
| over and that all war legislation is
still in force and II reports received
are correct the government intend:
to apply existing war measures, not
against the owners OF coal mines bu
against the coal minors.
THE government has taken steps
TO enforce war measures by an in
| I.at, n nd u 2 n Ell thi