New-York tribune., 1922-03-22
U. S. May Act
I'm Strike Get
Coal for Trains
Daugherty Debates Whether
Power TO Prevent Disrup-
tion of Traffic Cannot
Cover Famines i'm Fuel
Hold to Non-Intervention
Attorney General Says Only
in Case of 'sPublic Pinch
Should Redress Be Sought

WASHINGTON, March c1.--While
the government has mot entirely
abandoned its efforts to get settle
ment in advance Of the coal strike
called for April /. particularly in the
bituminous fields, and while the De-
partment of Justice is studying posei
bilties of legal redress in case danger
results to public peace and welfare, /.
was learned to-day in White House
and Cabinet circles that no action is
contemplated unless the strike de-
velops.
Secretary Davis Of tho Labor De-
partment, who has represented the
government in direct negotiations in
the industry. had no comment to make
when word of the United Mine Work
crs' call for suspension of work on
April ! in both the bituminous and
anthracite fields reached Washington,
but Attorney General Daugherty indi-
Gated he was inclined to consider that
the legal branch of the government
might take some steps, particularly in
case transportation arrangement was
occasioned after the strike was under
way.
At the White House, along with the
statement that the effort to bring
about national conference between
the employers and miners in the BIZ
luminous industry was continuing, not
withstanding the almost complete re-
fusal Of the operators to cooperate,
the existence of a great coal surplus
was emphasized as most important
factor.
Surplus Protects Industry
The governments surveys indicated,
it was said, that, with production con-
tinuing in non-union fields, the sur
plus would prevent any shortages in
industry and should prevent any infla-
tion,of coal prices.
The governments concern with the
anthracite sitaution is not so great, be-
amicable relationship between the mine
owners and their unionized employees.
Mr.. Daugherty, reviewing the legal
aspects, and mindful of Department Of
Justice plans to defend railroad oper-
ations by injunction against threat
ened strike suspension last October,
declared that the coal strike had not
reached a point where his responsible
ity began. He desired to know, he
said whether the government, capable
Of preventing disruption of railroad
traffic by use of legal power, could not
also prevent the same disruption if oc-
casioned by shortage Of coal.
The Attorney General declared he
was not sure that the operators or
miners could be forced into conference
to settle their dispute nor was he as
yet certain that action could be taken
by the government He declared he
knew of no law preventing man or
group of men from quitting their en-
ployment.
Might Invoke U. S. Powers
However, he added, he stood for the
proposition of a man or group of men
being able to accept employment upon
conditions agreed upon between en-
ployer and employee.
If it is within the province Of the
government, he continued, to insist
functions required in their operation
and preventing interference, would not
the government have the same author
ity to prevent interference to fuel as
to transportation itself when fuel is
indispensable to transportation, and
might not fuel come within the same
classification?
Mr.. Daugherty declared that the sit
uation had not come to that point yet,
and he hoped it would not come to It.
Many more persons, he said, were an
terested in the situation than were in
terested in the production Of fuel, and
the government was interested when
the public was pinched." In those cir
cumstances, he added, the government
was expected to do what it could to
prevent the pinch
The government, Mr.. Daugherty
stated, was not disposed to take sides
between employer and employee unless
some violence was done.