Evening star., 1922-07-20
R|TCH|E DECLINES .
TO ACT ON MINES
Informs President Maryland
Operators Want Time to
Consider Plan.
RAPS USE OF TROOPS
Suggests Mr.. Harding Renew Ef-
forts to Adjust Strikes in a
Peaceful Manner.
RAPs USE OF TROOPS

BALTIMORE, Md, July 2O.-GoV.
Ritchie yesterday telegraphed Presi-
dent Harding declining to take imme-
diate action on the Presidents invi-
tation to cooperate with him in the
effort to reopen coal mines. He in
formed the President that the Mary
land operators desire few more days
to consider whether the invitation for
them to resume work is proper and
practicable.
The governor said he would not
hesitate to send the Maryland Ma
tfonal Guard to the mining sections
If such action seemed necessary, but
that he would not do so until all
peaceful methods had failed.
Text of Reply.
The text of G ov. Ritchie's reply fol-
lows:
Your telegram advising me of the
failure of federal authority to adju-
dictate peacefully the coal strike and
asking that l invite Maryland coal
operators to resume mining with as
surances and under the protection of
what in this state can only mean the
state militia. and offering what l as
sumo means federal armed forces to
help, If necessary, in maintaining law
and order here, has received my i'm
mediate and thoughtful attention.
Checks Up Conditions.
For the purpose of basing my de-
cision on the very latest information
concerning the situation in Maryland.
l have today checked up on condi-
tions, and / find the situation in this
state to be substantially as follows:
Il. The Georges Creek mining dis
trict has been shut down since April
1, 1922.
"2. The upper Potomac mining dis
trict continues partial operations, but
is handicapped by the railroad strike.
which prevents coal being moved from
the mine.
These are the only two mine
operations in Maryland. Representa-
tives of the operators of these dis
tricts have told me that they desire
ii few days to consider whether your
invitation to them to resume work is
a proper and practicable one from
their point of view. but at the same
time they have told me that mining
coal at present is impossible unless
the railroad strike is Immediately set
tied and sufficient cars provided to
move the coal regularly and normal
ly from the mines and to the ordinary
points of distribution.
Scores Use Of Rifles.
while the operators are thus con-
duty to do the same, with the object
of deciding for my state whether
what you outline is. from the point
Of view Of Maryland, the action which
in the final analysis will be the best
for the people of Maryland not over
fare of the nation.
THE traditions of this state are
those of a people who have settled
such matters as these without the aid
of bayonets and rifles. 1t is nearly
thirty years since our militia has been
used for purpose of this kind, and /
do not feel. even in the face of federal
failure that / should Immediately
agree with your assumption that this
failure is so complete, that when the
problem is turned back to each state
l should without further and more
mature consideration give assurances
which might lead to filling the mine
regions of Maryland with armed troops.
Conscious of Responsibility.
"I am fully conscious of the re-
sponsibility which Maryland must
share because of her coal deposits in
helping to supply the nation with fuel
but 1 feel that at this time I should
not subscribe to the assumption that
all things else have failed. and that
the various states must give assur-
ance now which might lead them to
take up arms against their own people.
The presence OF troops is o1ten NOT
the assurance of security, but the
provocation of serious trouble.
while we of Maryland. facing
new. situation which you turn back to
us. consider with all due gravity what
YOU propose, | venture to urge with
the greatest respect that you renew
your efforts to adjust in proper and
peaceful way botn the railroad strike
and the coal strike. SO that the country
will be provided with fuel by methods
which better befit our republic and
which will make for a lasting settle
ment instead of the doubtful PROPOSE
ton Of an armed camp at each mine.
No Sympathy for Lawlessness.
II have no sympathy for lawless-
ness and 1t will be my earnest aim
and endeavor to be of help to you
in this trying hour. By conference
and otherwise / shall attempt to in
fiuence those of Maryland concerned in
the situation to submit to federal ad-
judication.
"The time may come. unfortunate
ly, when I may see no way out except
to give the assurance which your plan
involves, and in that event l will not
hesitate: but in the darkest hours of
situations like these there often comes
the time when with methods other
than force men can finally be per-
suaded to meet and agree for the COM
c.,,,