The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-08-11

without the services of the striking
shopmen. Roads unable to do SO, par
ticularly carriers reaching into the
producing bituminous fields, may be
taken over and operated by the fed
eral government.
DRESIDENT LEWIS of the mine
workers made a definite move for
settlement Of the coal strike by calling
joint wage conference Of operators
and miners Of the central competitive
bituminous field. to be held In Cleve-
land August Z. Unfortunately, the op-
orators, or most of them. refused to
attend.
Meanwhile Henry B. Spencer, who
was appointed federal fuel distributor,
and his committee and subcommittee
began functioning actively. According
to Mr.. Spencer's plan, the federal or
ganization will cover the distribution
Of available supplies among the rail-
ways, federal institutions and states,
and the governors Of the states will
handle local supplies. State fuel COM
mittees were called on to report at
once the consumption Of coal in their
territories by utilities, industries and
households and to submit list Of
those who should receive priorities.
| These state committees are also made
entirely responsible for the prevention
Of profiteering and extortion in the
| sale and distribution Of coal within
their respective states.
Governor McCray of Indiana took
the most vigorous action yet reported
in the matter of getting out COAL The
miners of the state refused to issue
permits to sufficient men to operate
the mines for emergency purposes, so
the governor opened two strip mines in
Clay county under the protection Of
800 state troops as preliminary
measure and declared a state Of mar
tial law to exist in that part Of the
county. These mines are In the hands
Of a receiver appointed by the federal
court, and the governor called atten-
ton to the fact that this places the
United States government behind
them. Mr.. McCray also called con-
ference of the governors Of Pennsylva-
mia, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky
and Wisconsin. Governor Preus of
Minnesota says the coal situation in
the Northwest is more threatening
than ever, and he has asked the gov
errors of Iowa, Wisconsin and North
and South Dakota to meet with him
in st. Paul August 10. In Wisconsin
the bottom of the coal bin Is in sight
and, at the request Of the state fuel
commission, all ornamental and dis
play electric lighting has been discon-
tinued.
/ CHICAGO'S street car strike came
~ along according to schedule. Some
10000 employees Of the surface and
elevated lines quit early Tuesday
morning and no attempt was made to
4 take the cars out Of the yards. Motor
vehicles Of all descriptions were called
into service and on the first day there
was a terrific congestion Of traffic. By
Wednesday the police, motor clubs and
Individual motorists had worked out
system that brought the situation
almost to normal, and many a Chica-
goan began to wonder If the city
couldn't get along without the noisy
street and elevated cars. Also they
learned the worth Of one-way street
regulations in the business center.
Toward the end of the week peace
negotiations were resumed, but the To-
cal president of the employees said he
saw no prospect for an early settle
ment. The men are fighting not only
proposed wage reduction, but nine
hour day. Chances of an order by the
state public utilities board reducing
fares and politics enter into the Chi
cago situation, and it was frequently
and openly asserted that the strike
was put up job" to prevent the fare
reduction and to deal blow to Mayor
Thompson and his organization. The
mayor has long promised 5-cent fare
and last week tried to take steps to-
ward the establishing of a municipal
bus line to supplant the street cars.
| A T THIS writing it appears prob
"A able that United States Senator
James A. Reed has been renominated
by the Democrats of Missouri, defeat
ing Breckenridge Long in fight that
was hot and even bitter. Mr.. Long had
the support Of former President VIII
son, during whose administration he
was assistant secretary of state. The
dislike that Mr.. Wilson and many 9TH
ers have for Reed dates from the years
of the World war. The Republicans
of Missouri nominated R.. r. Brewster
of Kansas City for the senate.