The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-07-19
GOVERNMENT
is CONFIDENT
OF RESPONSE
Administration Awaits Re
plies of Governors, Coal
Operators and Miners With
Assurance.
LEWIS is CHEERFUL
fRv Associated Press,

dence today the response of state |
executives and coal operators and
miners to the governments determina- |
ton to secure a resumption of coal !
production. Notwithstanding the con-
tinued strike of mine workers.
Meanwhile plans sent forward to put |
the government fully in a position to |
fulfill the pledge of every assistance
at its command given by President
Harding in the telegram addressed to
the governors of 2S coal states yester-
/ day in which they were called upon by
the executive to give necessary protec-
ton and safeguards to man and en-
ployes willing to resume work in the
industry. The failure to reach a vol
untary adjustment of the present con-
troversy, the President said in his mes
sage, made it necessary in the name
Of the common welfare" that operators
and miners under assurances of neces-
sary protection be invited to resume
production.
Despite the reduced car supply at
present producing mines resulting
from the rail strike, officials were con-
fident that some additional supply
would result from the governments
action. The rail situation showed some
improvement today, but it was evident
that the government has decided to
obtain a full resumption of transporta-
ton this week, and that high officials
see close relationship and inter-con-
H1Hr H., 1Na1 e.it
uons.
See Merely Gesture.
Assertion that the presidents mes
sage TO the governors was merely
gesture which will not produce coal in
any substantial quantity" was made
in statement by John L. Lewis, presi-
dent of the United Mine Workers, and
a similar prediction was made by Sam
uel Gompers. president of the Fedora
tion of Labor.
Mr.. Lewis faced the governments
proposal to guarantee safety of strike
breaking operation with apparent
cheerfulness.
I'VE have been on strike 16 weeks"
he declared, I'VE have more men out
than we had in the beginning. There
are between 100000 and 100000 men
standing for the RESUMPTION of work
OUly dllCI du llIcI oldIS dSISCLuOuI d4u
upon the basis of wage scales as they
were April l. They will continue to
do so in a peaceful and orderly fash
ioZ. Suggesting that miners would
have to work sometime to eat brought
the rejoinder that they haven't near
ly reached their limit yet
In the government view, however,
tbere was no certainty that the entire
membership of the miners union would
support their leaders in refusing arbi-
tration and the possibility of separate
district agreements in the face of the
government determination to support
mine operators was rumored here to-
day.
RICHMOND, Va, July 19-Opinion is
nat coal mine in Virginia could not
be operated adequately during the
miners strike because of a law re-
quireing inefficient man working IN
mines work, with an experienced
miner, was expressed today by c. H.
Morrissett, director of the Virginia
state legislative bureau. The law was
enacted in 1912.
WEST FRANKFORT, Ill, July 19-
Coal operators in Franklin county,
lH6 largest pIOuuCluS county III lllluOlS
today stated there was absolutely no
possibility" of resuming coal produc-
fion under President Harding's plan
Franklin is said to be the largest coal
producing area of its size in the coun.
try.
CHICAGO, July 19.-Governors OF
Kentucky, Iowa, Georgia and Colora-
do, promptly upon receipt of. President
Harding's telegram urging co-opera-
ton in obtaining reopening of the coal
mines, wired that the federal govern
ment could depend upon them to the
fullest extent, said news dispatches re.
ceived here today.
The governor of Kansas telegra phed
that the policy suggested was being
followed in his state. Governor Mech.
EN- of New Mexico replied that all
mines in that state we're operating
and Governor Pat NJ. Neff of Texas
on a campaign tour, had not received
the presidents message and would
not comment.
Among the responses to President
Harding were these:
Governor Kendall, Iowa: "As chiet
executive of Iowa | pledge every re
source of the state to the support oi
the program you have inaugurated for
the relief of the coal situation
Governor Shoup, Colorado: "As
governor of Colorado l will cooperate
with President Harding and the fed
eral authorities to the fullest extent
Governor Mechem, New Mexico
'All coal mines are operating and pro
duction is sufficient for all present
needs
Governor Hart, Washington: "An
swering regarding the coal strike.
beg to advise you there is no trouble
in this state, and l have faith in the
operators and miners that no condi
ton precipitating a demand for feder
al interference will arise"
Governor Morrow, Kentucky: "Tht
n presidents position is unquestionabl!
y correct. Should be unhesitatingl.
pursued, and l will support and main
tain it."
Governor Hardwick, Georgia.: :"
pledge full. prompt and whole-hearte'
support"