The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-04
Coal Strike VIII Be Let Slide
While Rail Strike Menaces.
Paralysis in Rail Traffic in East
Grows Imminent Now.
COAL CRISIS is IMPENDING
Mines at Pittsburg, Kan, Slow
Down in Production Now.
Twin Paralysis of Industry De-
mandS a Move Soon.

4ALSb AA - NAH aus"
ports in the Kansas coal fields. tabu-
lated today by the Southwestern In
terstate Coal Operators association.
showed a loss of 500 men and a ton
mage of 500 in the past week.
The decrease in number of men az
work is believed to be directly due to
the action of the Howat followers in
meeting last Sunday in voting to join
in the national coal strike. Many of
the Howat followers not recognizing
the Lewis organization had been
working.
Washington, Aug. A. President
Harding met with his cabinet today
for another inventory of the indus
trial situation, admitted by govern
ment officials generally, to be daily
growing more serious and more dan
gerOus in its potentialities. Today's
meeting was the sixth consecutive Ses-
sion that has been devoted entirely to
discussion of the rail and coal strikes
and methods of remedying them.
1t was not considered probable that
there would be any decisive action
by the government in the coal strike,
the tendency being to await the result
of efforts John l. Lewis is making
to settle the strike by means of a joint
conference with operators in Cleve-
land on Monday.
In the rail strike however. il was
strongly intimated in cabinet quar-
tiers today there will be important de-
velOpmeuts within "a hours and the
belief was prevalent that another
peace thrust is imminent.
Rail Action Must Come?
Conditions in the railroad field were
officially described today as being
''intolerable" to the already chaotic
condition that prevails in some Sec
tiOns to which was added today the
menace of disaffectfan spreading to
n cIaSznz Of railroad he
sides the shopmen. who up to this
time have had no part in the strike.
Labor leaders asserted today that
the summary turn down given Presi-
dent Harding's peace program by the
executives in New York, has had a
tremendous effect upon all railroad
labor. creating state of resentment
and suspicion that is daily becoming
more apparent.
Illinois Is Desperate.
Chicago. Aug. 4.-Illinois restricted
to its own supply of coal, faces the
most critical situation that it has been
compelled to face, according to Rob-
ert II. Mcdill, state fuel director.
Illinois now is absolutely up
against it." said Medill. Il am going
to the capital to arrange, if possible,
with Gov. Sterling some plan of ac-
tion. Mr.. Sterling informed me by
available for action that is inevita BILE
and highly necessary in producing the
Illinois coal and delivering it to the
cities that are in the greater distress"
British Coal Orders Cancelled.
London, Aug. 4.-Heavy cancellation
of American orders for British coal
was reported today. No explanation
was given but it was indicated that
large buyers of European coal in the
United States believe that the strike
of American miners will soon be set
tied.
Asks Government to Step In.
St Paul, Aug. 4.-U14less the threat
ened coal famine in the northwest is
averted the federal government Wi!
be asked to take over four of the main
coal carriers of the middle eastern
states, Gov. J. A. o. Preus declared
in an address here last night. Speak
ing before a gathering of railroad Of
IiCiaIs Governor Preus said:
IF no other plan of getting coal to
the northwest succeeds then we will
appeal to the national administration
in effort to have these four rail- |
roads-the Baltimore & Ohio. c. &
O., Louisville * Nashville and Norfolk
* WeStern-taken over by the govern
ment. If the government cannot un-
dertake this move under present laws, !
congress will be asked to provide nee
essary emergency regulations by
which it can be done"
Mine Workers Fired Upon.
(By the Associated Press.I
Staunton, Ind, Aug. 4.-First hos
tilities with the taking over of mines I
by the state occurred today when 4
pickets on guard duty were fired upon
from ambush.
The fire was returned by the guards /
and later the firing was taken up over
the entire area. Automatic rifles were
brought into action by the troops and /
the firing continued for more than !
an hour.
Big Four Plans Action?
Washington, Aug. 4.-Drastic action
by the big four" railway brotherhood |
is imminent because of the alleged
''perilous' condition of rolling stock
on the railroads. the brotherhood in |
Washington said today. They charged |
defective locomotives are being oper-
ated by the roads in violation of fed !
eraI laws.
At the same time ii became known
that labor leaders are gathering data
for an energetic protest TO congress
and it is possible an investigation of
the interstate commerce commission
will be asked for its alleged laxity in
enforcing federal laws
Wont Go Out''-Farquharson
Parsons Kan, Aug. Members
of the Brotherhood of Railway Train
men will not so out in sympathy with
the striking shop workers. J. A Far
quharson. a vice president of the
Brotherhood, said today. Mr.. Far
quharson says the trainmen contract
with the railroads will be lived up
to. The brotherhood. he said, Is in
vestigatInE charges that trainmen are
being asked to use unsafe equipment.