Evening journal., 1922-07-18
Government Decides to Pro.
; tect Workers in Reopen
ing Coal Fields
TEST WILL COME
in PENNSYLVANIA

mirNes. The non-union mines. Pep
per predicted, would keep running
just as long as they could move their
Goa over the railroads.
Gov. Sproul means business. 4"
said Pepper. He has. however. only
400 members Of the State Constab-
ulary. and he is loath to use the
4 National Guard if it can be helped.
PREPARATIONS have been made for
doing that. however. one reason
for the Governors visit here yester-
day was 10 arrange with the War
Department for the pay OF 1900
State cavalrymen."
SCRANTON. Pa. July IS Omitted
Press) THE plan OF President
Harding to furnish military pro-
lection to operators who wish TO re-
open their mines with non-union
labor is not feasible in the anthra-
cite fields OF Pennsylvania union
leaders said today.
The State law provides that be-
fore a man may work in hard coal
mines he must pass an examination.
Since Pennsylvania is strongly
unionized, leaders pointed out. IL
would he difficult TO find enough
cof petent non-union miners TO re-
sumo operations.
WASHINGTON. July 1S.-United
Press President Harding and his
cabinet. met as council Of war today
determined 70 force the production
OF 100000 miners and the refusa!
OF their leaders and operator chief
ta.ns to submit 10 arbitration.
Harding invited" the bituminous
operators late yesterday to reopen
their mines when the owners accept
ed in part his arbitration proposal
and offered to put their mines and
ser> ices at the Presidents disposal
Keeping in mind the massacre Of /
mins guards and non-union miners
az Herrin, Ills. and the fatal battle I
between deputies and mine strikers |
in West Virginia. yesterday. the |
President and his cabinet discussed |
the advisability OF placing Federal /
troops on guard at all mines ac- ]
ceT,ing the invitation 10 reopen.
The use Of troops is regarded as |
virtually certain and the fear Is 4
openly expressed here that the ma
tion faces one Of the greatest in
dustrial wars in its history.
The situation is now regarded
mole serious than at any time since
the coal strike began April
The President is believed TO be
planning on cooperation between
the. state and Federal military
forces to bring about coal produc-
ton. County and State authorities
vii BE asked TO give adequate pro-
tecson to mines that attempt to re-
ore with strikebreakers.
l. forces cannot maintain order
at the mines Federal troops are viz
tualy certain be used.
Harding takes the view that the
overshadowing need Of the country
now is the production of coal and
that IL must be brought about re-
CARELESS OF how II will affect either
the operators or the striking miners |
H>rding is determined that the 4
Herfin and West Virginia episodes |
shall not be repeated
The President is fully cognizant |
Of the danger OF operating the mines
with strikebreakers., He realizes the :
futility Of attempting TO maintain
peace in these fields without troops.
Many operators will attempt to
open their mines. as the result OF
the Presidents action. A. NJ Ogle,
president Of the National Coal As
ISOLATION, said today. In an empha-
ne manner, John l.. Lewis. presi-
ienf OF the United Mine Workers.
asserted that virtually none of the
army OF striking miners will re-
urn to work until their demands
ire met.
II IS probable that the first at T.
empts to operate the mines with
will be made in the ,,
Western Pennsylvania bituminous !
ields. Governor Sproul. OF Penn
ylvsnia, is ready to call out the r
State troops and take
my other action necessary TO pro-
ect mining in this region and the
Presidents plan for forced coal pro-
Iuction will be tested out in this
tate. -
There Is growing undercurrent n
II feeling in Congress. not openly ex- 4,
'ressed because OF a desire to abb 4,
tain from statements. that would q
mbhrrass the President. that opera #
ion OF mines with strikebreakers.
ven under heavy guard. is apt to L.
ause rioting and bloodshed. due to OF
he bitter and intense feeling. ex- W
ibi,ed by both operators and miners.
omt members also believe that any of
arge number OF strike breaking OF
ninnrs cannot be obtained due to n,
he fear Of violence on the part OF Iii
he strikers. al
~ President Ogle. OF the operators, hi
eci1red that coal mining is not such
killed work as Is generally assumed O.
nd that new men can be broken pl
l. within a short time.
The miners are skeptical OF the
residents plan to resums coal pro-
ucpOn. in
what il the mines are reopened ed
nd troop protection is afforded" in
evils inquired III the operators sa
innot get the men to mine the coal? w
ct enough unskilled workers are lil
Dtainable in the districts tied up by sa