Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-03-22
GOVT TO PROTECT PUBLIC
PEACE AND WELFAKE

washington, March 2t.-While the
government has mot entirely" aban-
doned It's efforts to get settlement in
advance Of the coal strike called for
April 1, particularly in the bituminous
fields, and while the department of JUS
tice Is studying possibilities of legal re-
dless in case danger results to public
peace and welfare, it was learned today
In White House and cabinet circles that
no action is contemplated unless the
strike develops.
Secretary Davis OF the labor depart,
nent, who has represented the govern
ment in direct negotiations in the in
dustry, had no comment to make when
word of the United Mine Workers call
for suspension of work on April 1 in
both the bitulninous and anthracite
fields reached Washington, but Attorney
General Daugherty Indicated he was in
clined to consider that the legal branch
of the government might take some
steps, particularly in case transporta-
tion arrangement was occasioned after
the strike was under way.
At the White House, along with the
statement that the effort to bring about
a national conference between the en-
ployers and the miners in the bituminous
industry was still continuing, notwith-
standing the almost complete refusal o;
the operators to cooperate, the exist
ence Of a great coal surplus was empha-
sized as a most important factor. The
| governments surveys Indicated it was
said, that production continuing in non
union fields, the surplus would prevent
any shortages in industry and should
prevent any imitation of coal prices.
| The governments concern with the an.
thracite situation is not 20 great because
of the disposition there for amicabde re-
| Eationship between the mine owners anC
their unionized employees.
Mr.. Daugherty. reviewing the legal as
poets, and mindful Of department OF
| justice plans to defend railroad opera
| tions by injunction against threatened
strike suspension last October, declared
| that the coal strike had not reached a
| point where his responsibility began. He
| desired to know. he said, whether the
! government. capable OF preventing dis
ruption Of railroad traffic by use of lega
! power, could not also prevent the same
| disruption, if occasioned by shortage o.
coal.
The attorney general declared he wa.
not sure that the operators or miner:
could be forced into conference to set
tie their dispute nor was he as yet GER
| tain that actor. could be taken by th'
| government. He declared he knew Of NJ
/ 'hW preventing man or group OF mel
from quitting 'eir employment
However he added he stood for thu
] proposition Of 2 man or a group of meT
being able to accept emrloyment upo1
! conditions agreed upon between employ
| g. and erploye.
! If it Is within the province Of the gov
| er1ment he continued, to insist upon th'
! railroads performing the functions re
( duired in their operation and preventin;
! Interference, would not the royernmen
| tave the same authority to- prevent in
| tsrference to fuel as to transportation
{ itself when fuel is Indispensable t
tran nsrortstion; and might not fuel com
I within the same classification?
Mr.. Daugherty declared that the sit
uation had not come to that point yet
/ and he hoped Il would rot come to It
! Many more persons. he said were inter
/ ested in the sltuation than We're inter
| ested In the production OF fuei and th
| government was interested when tn
pulsic was pinched." In those circum
| stances. he added. the government wa
expected to do what it could to preven
| the pinch.
The government Mr.. Daughert.
stated. was not disposed to take side
between employer and emnloye unles
some violence was done. The resource
Of the country. he continued. belong L
The country and It should be permit. e.
/ TO enjoy them.