Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-31
NO ADVANCE IN
PRICE OF COAL
DUE TO STRIKE
Government Warming
Covers Two Big
Issues.
CHECK. ON PROFITS
Officials Making No
Attempt to Stop
WalkOut.

WASHINGTON, March 31.-While
battle lines are being drawn today
for the greatest labor tie-up In the
country's history, official Washington
went quietly about its business
watching closely, but keeping hands
off.
The big strike order will be fol-
lowed at one minute past midnight,
with two warnings from the Govern
ment-one to the miners that there
shall be no violence; the other to the
operators that there shall be no
profiteering.
IF the price Of coal in any locality
is boosted, that fact should be i'm
mediately reported to Washington,
said Secretary of Labor Davis.
There is 10 justification for any
advance in the price of coal and the
public should not pay it,"
SO far as the Administration is con-
/ cerned, officials said, there will be no
hurried last minute conference, no uiti-
matums and no frantic elevent h hour at
tempts TO prevent the strike going into
effect at midnight. Such attempts have
featured similar situations in other years.
WILLING TO SEE
ISSUE SETTLED.
Having failed utterly to persuade the
owners to meet ths miners. for the ad-
justment Of a new contract, the Govern
ment to all appearances. is willing that
/ the Issue shall go 10 a show down" be-
tween the half million unionized miners
and the operators.
Not until the public begins to suffer.
either through the lack OF COAL or
through profitecring, viii the Govern
ment take action, unless requested to do
so by parties to the controversy, t. was
stated officially.
LEADERS PREDICT
GREATEST CONTEST.
The strike Will usher in the greatest
| indust-iai contest that was ever fought
in America, It was predicted today by
labor leaders. Tho mine owners, they
said, by refusing to confer with the
workers, have plainly warned that they
are out to break the enormous power,
welded by the United Mine Workers In
the organized labor world.
Against this menace will be thrown
ehe entire strength Of the whole or
ganized labor movement. "Organized
labor in America stands behind the
miners in this controversy ike the rock
of Gibraltar" said Samuel Gompers,
president Of the American Federation Of
Labor. at is the test and we will meet
it,
Both sides are in excellent position to
stand a long fight. The operators have
piled up the greatest reserve stocks Of
coal in years to carry the public through
what is expected TO be a protracted
struggle. There is sufficient coal on
hand o last the country for nearly three
months If not another lump is poduced
in that time. RAILROADS and public util-
tiles, first to feel the pinch OF a coal
strike, are exceptionally well prepared.
CONGRESsMEN
URGE RESOLUTION.
Representatives Upshaw (Ga.) and
| London On. " besought the House
Labor Committee to rush through a reso-
luton urging President Harding to call
| q conference and ask the miners to sus-
| pend their walkout. The committee con
sidered the cause Of conflict for a pain
| Of settlement. Pleas were sent to Gov
ernment officials. urging action.
! At the American Federation Of Labor
/ headquarters a final war council" was
held before Mr.. GomRers departed for
| Princeton, n. J.. to outline the attitude of
labor in a speech there today.
The coal operators have broken their
contract with the miners and have de-
! liberately forced the men to quit work
in other words a lockout asserted Pres
ident Gompers in a statement reviewing
! the history Of the present CO 1troversy.
The Labor Department has organized
special coal bureau of experts to see
that the interests of the public are In no
way menaced and to search for evidence
of increa sed coal prices.
The Department of pustice drew up an
outline of the legal attitude of the Gov
ernment to be announced at midnight.
Secretary Hoover will return before
Monday to take active charge Of the Gov
ernment work from the commercial stand
point Secretary Hoover, It is believed,
staunchly advocates the call of a peace
conference, by President Harding