New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-08-23
Talk Of Soft Coal Sympathy
Strike Not Brought to
Federal Attention. on-
ferees Stand BY"

Washington. Aug. 23-Although not
its plans, the United States govern
ment Is preparing to move decisively
to prevent serious consequences from
the threatened suspension of anthra-
cite production September /.
Not only will the railroads, the soft
coal producers and the state govern
ments be expected to do what they
can to minimize suffering demoraliza-
tion of industry, but federal officials
In every agency from the White
House down will stand ready to throw
the weight of their authority into the
balance II 1t becomes necessary
Many reports of a possible sympa-
thetic strike on the part of bitumin-
Gus miners after September l have
been circulated in the whirlpool of
rumors and speculation that sur
rounds the preparations of the gov
eminent here, but If such a develop
ment is in prospect, the government
has no authoritative knowledge of it.
4 Ali aspects of the situation were be-
ing closely studied by officials as plans
went forward for the conference in
New York next Tuesday to which the
governors of all the principal anthra-
cite -consuming states were invited by
F.. r. Wadleigh federal fuel distribu-
tor, yesterday to send representatives
to assist in formulating an emergency
distributing system.
The invitation for a conference with
representatives of the interstate COM
merce committee and the principal
eastern railroads to consider tentative
plans for the institution of central
distributing agencies in each state,
with supervisory headquarters in
Washington went to the executives of
II states--the New England group
and those along the middle Atlantic
seaboard.
during the day between President
Coolidge and heads of the government
agencies concerned.
Plans For Instructing Public
In addition to considering a ten
tative scheme of distribution already
worked out by Mr.. Wadleigh, the
New York conference, the governors
were informed. will endeavor to
evolve practical plans for instructing |
the public in the use of substitute |
fuels for anthracite. This was seen |
to be in line with the view held by |
the administration from the first that
the public itself, by turning to SUBJ
stitutc fuels, could exert strong pres
sure on any strike situation that de-
While hope still survived in admin
circles that the anthracite
miners and operators would find way
10 avert tie-up of the mines on
September / there was no indication
.oday of any intention to further gov
,rnment intervention in the situation
it this time.
Operators Stand BY
Atlantic City, Aug. 23.-Semi- off
,ial notice that the federal govern
nent would not intervene further in
anthracite wage negotiations to pre-
rent stoppage of the, mines Septem-
,er 1. today reached Atlantic City.
The news was conveyed to both the
,olicy committee of the mine opera
ors and the officials of the miners
lnion who broke off negotiations for
! new wage contract on Tuesday and 1
eft the unrelieved prospect of shut
Iown in the industry next week. The
J. s. Coal Commission both sides were ,
old, could go no further in an en-
eavor to enforce peace, since the re-
ewal of the wage contract negotia- p.
ions which was taken at the COM
MISSIONS Intervention last week had
merely served to precipitate another
reak.
Notwithstanding, the operators
roup intends to remain in Atlantic
lily, at least until the end of the !
yeek, in an effort to show that the
Employers seek every means of re- '
pening discussion. c
John L. Lewis president of the
Tnited Mine Workers, and the scale A
ommittee of the union, 1t was said,
'ould probably stand by also until
morrow.
There was no change of attitude on II
ne part of the employers group and p
,e union spokesman. S,