The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1922-06-28
Gov. Prepares
to Take Hand
READY TO SEIZE COAL MINES
UNLESS STRIKE rs SETTLED
BY AUGUST 1.

The federal government is consider
ing plans to insure coal supply for
the northwest for the coming winter.
Details have not been made public, but
it can be said with authority, that
unless the coal strike is settled by
Aug. 1, the government is prepared
to take hand.
! Those who have the matter in
charge have kept themselves advised
Of coal stocks, having in mind especi-
ally the needs Of the northwest, which
depends on water transportation tor
the major portion of it's fuel. The
visible supply (it is estimated, will
last until August l. It is hoped that
federal action will not be necessary,
but the government is prepared to
step in and take possession of some
of the mines in the midwest-in Ohio,
or West Virginia employ the miners
at the old wages, and send the output
to the lower lake ports for transporta
tion for the northwest. It would be
an emergency measure and not to IN
fuence miners or operators, officials
said.
Aug. Set as Latest Date
The present view is that the upper
lake supply could be produced in about
10 per cent of the mines. The coal
would be mined under government
operation and be rushed out SO that
there would be an ample supply on
the docks at the head Of the lake. by
the close of navigation in December.
Government officials have placed
Aug. l as the latest date that present
conditions can prevail without danger
of coal famine in the northwest.
They have in mind the action that was
taken several years ago when the
interstate commerce commission is
sued an order compelling the trans
portation of certain amount of coal
to the northwest in the latter part of
the summer. The full supply was OBJ
tanned then and they declare it can be
obtained this year.
Coal Operators Opposed
Coal operators have indicated that
they will oppose government opera
ton. Those who are unfriendly to the
operators declare that when the gov
ernment takes over any Of the mines
it will be shown that coal can be pro-
duced at cost that is considerably
lOWcI CIldIl HOW iS CtdliiIcu ny CIiG pIU-
ducers. On the other hand, the min.
ers are hoping that the government
will take over all the mines in order
to prevent nationwide fuel famine
this winter.
According to the information given
The Journal bureau today, the non
union miners have been able to pro-
duce about 100000 tons week, com
pared with normal output Of 8,0OO,-
600 tons. There has been a cumula-
tive shortage of 100000 tons a week,
which will amount to about 81 ,OO0, 900
tons by the end of July.
The strike has been on since April
|, and if it is not settled by the end of
July, II weeks will have elapsed since
the union mines were closed down.
Harding Seeks to End Strike
Another attempt will be made here
next week by the federal government
to bring about a conference of coal
operators and miners that will end
the nationwide mine strike.
John L. Lewis, president of the
United Mine Workers of America,
now on his way here from Cincinnati,
will confer with Secretary of Labor
Davis next week, it was learned.
Negotiations leading up to the lat
est attempt of the government to end
the walkout have been going on for
some time, it was learned. How the
government expects to bring an end
to the dispute could not be learned
specifically.