The Washington herald., 1919-11-14
REPORT MINERS ARE
DISCHARGED WHEN
THEY WENT BACK
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

of the miners as well as of the
mine operators are already here. Act
ing President Lewis and Secretary
Green. of the United Mine Workers.
were expected to arrive late last night
or early this morning.
At the headquarters of the legisla- |
tive representatives of the mine work
ers it was said that probably four
ffths OF the miners who went out on
strike are still out.
The miners cannot be expected 20
return to work until they have some !
thing in sight" said Edgar Wallace, |
legislative representative yesterday.
At the Department of Labor II was |
said that Secretary Wilson. who Is
primarily acting as mediator. is tax !
ing no cognizance of the fact that |
many Of the miners are still out.
There is a general sentiment in Of
ficial circles now that the miners
leaders have obeyed the courts order
to recall the strike order not to raise
the question as to whether the miners
are back at work or not
Must Settle Dispute.
The dispute between the opera
tors and the miners as to when
the Washington agreement" I'M
der which the miners have been
working for nearly two years. ex-
pnres. looms up as serious diff
Guilty which will have to be settled
amicabIy if the conference is to get
anywhere.
American Federation of Labor
officials have nothing to say re-
Rardiug the withdrawal of the
strike order. They are chiefly con-
cerned in making good their charge
that the government. by using thF7
Lever act as the basis for injunc
tion proceedings. broke faith with
labor. Tine following statement on
this matter was issued by the
American Federation of Labor last
night:
Did Not Give Assurances.
Now comes former Attorney
General Gregory. who says that he
did not give assurances that the
Lever bill. If enacted. would not Dc
applied to the workers.
~ few days ago Mr.. Gregory de-
clared through the public press that
he remembers having had the con-
ference with Mr.. Gompers and Mr.
Morrison regarding the Lever bill.
but added that he had no recollec-
ton of having made a statement
that its provisions would not be so
applied.
Mr.. Gregory. as well as every one
else in the administration. and in
Congress and elsewhere, know that
the Lever bill was intended to pre-
vent speculation and profiteering in
food and fuel. and that it was not
intended to apply to working peo-
pie engaged in an effort to improve
wages. hours and conditions and
standards of labor and life.
AT that conference with the At
tOrney General in 1917. Mr.. Gregory
stated emphatically, speaking for
himself and for the government that
the provisions of the Lever act
would not be applied to such work
ers. and that he would write to the
United States District Attorneys
that they. too. should be governed
by that assurance. Whether Mr.
Gregory carried out his pledge to
write his subordinates I am not in
position to say. but that he gave
that assurance that he would do so
there is absolutely no question.
Claim Assurances Give.
In the official report of the Execu-
live Council to the convention of the
American Federation of Labor in 1917
that situation and assurance was
fully recorded. Copies of that printed
repOrt were sent to every member of
he Cabinet including the Attorney
General. 1t was sent to the news
papers of the country and not until
This day has the accuracy OF that
report been challenged by anyone"
The order Of the fuel administration
fixing maximum prices for bituminous
coal and ignite was modified yester- |
lay in so far as it is applicable to
oal shipped on or after today under |
contract which was entered into
Iior to ,October 30. On such ship |
Ients the prices fixed in the contract !
nay be charged.