Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-10-25
GOVERNMENT SEEKING WAY
To PREVENT FUEL FAMINE
AS COAL STRIKE IMPENDS
Drastic Action Urged in
Senate-Min ers Go
Ahead With Plans.

Washington, Oct. 25.-A def
mite program to be placed be-
fore President Wilson as to the
governments attitude In the
coal strike Will be formulated
by the cabinet this afternoon,
il was said at the White hOuse.
While no definite decision had
been taken when the cabinet
recessed for luncheon, SeCre-
tary Tumulty said the Discus
sion mt the morning session dis
closed that the presidents Of
fetal family was OF one mind
and "nOt a bit WObbly.~ He
added that when the program
was presented to the presi-
dent, Mr.. Wilson was expected
to make a public statement.
Washington, Oct 2j.-Presi-
dent Wilson today, through
Secretary TumuIty, summoned
the cabinet In special session
TO consider the strike of bitum-
lnOUs coal miners called for
next Saturday. Director Gem
erl Hines of the railroad ad.
ministratlOn, was asked TO
meet with the cabinet, 10 pre-
sent the situation from the
standpoint of the railroads.
Secretary Lansing was confined
o his home with a cold and could
lot attend All other members Of
he presidents official family were
present and Secretary Glass pre-
5ided. Secretary Tumulty was
present to convey the views Of
President Wilson on the situation.
Make No Forecasts.
AS they entered the White house
he cabinet officials declined TO
make any forecasts. Some mem
,ers, however, we're said to hold
he belief that stern action was
necessary in the face of the grave
Industrial situation existing over
he country.
81 am for the fight" said one
member of the cabinet,
"Mass Attack on Government"
While there apparently was no
to criticize either the
perators or miners for the fail
re of the negotiations conducted
y Secretary Wilson, officials who
iscussed the situation spoke of a
mass attack on the government"
There seemed to be doubt wheth-
r the cabinet would issue a state
tent as to the governments atti-
lde regarding the coal strike. In
White house circles the thought
yas that the governments posi-
on could best be stated by Presi-
ent Wilson in a formal statement
} the public, Some officials
bought the cabinet would recon-
lent this course.
AdjOurns After Two Hours.
After discussing the impending
Lrike of bituminous coal miners
)r more than two hours the cabi-
ct adjourned at 1920 p. m. to meet
gain at 4:30 p. m. It was stated
lat there was no announcement
, make for the present.
Senate Urges Action.
In the senate Senator Thomas
q
pom the executive branch of the
to "vindicate the pow
: and majesty Of the law" in the
lreatened strike.
The resolution. which is TO be
allied up Monday, declares the
rike would provoke violence,
Ioodshcd and insurrection.
The resolution would pledge the
constant, continuous and unqual-
led support" Of congress TO the
ational administration and all
hers in authority" in meeting "the
reat emergency confronting US"
Coal Bins Sized Up.
The nation took stool: OF its coal
ms today for a strike of 500,000
liners in the chief bituminous
elds loomed up six days distant
ore menacing than ever before.
All apparent hope of avertiug the
riISe, set for Nov. THE eve Cf
inter, vanished last night when
ecretary Wilson's four day con-
renee with the scale committees
the miners and operators broke
D despite the appeal of President
'ilson from his sick-bed TO them
brush aside the old animosities
Id start negotiations anew with
as a last resort
Strike Begins Friday Night.
Representatives Of the miners
Id operators today continued -
Iarge each other with having
used the ending of negotiations.
1t the fact remained that instruc-
ms were going out today to all
Gals of the United Miners Of
nerica, to suspend work at mid
ght next Friday and as these in
-uctions were out consumers the
untry over looked anxiously into
cir not-too-well-hlled coal bins