VOL. I VIII NO. 18,38G
Kntflrd at Portland fOreon)
PoFtoffice an Second-Class Matter.
PORTLAND, OREGON, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1919.
PRICE FIVE CENTS
w
inn
HELD IIIEIABLE
t
alk-out Order Is Final,
Say Union Officials.
PERATORS ALONE BLAMED
fusal to Negotiate Working
Wage Agreement Charged,
Necessitating Action. '
RESIDENT'S WARNING NOTED
7
ai Miners in Quitting De
clared to Be Exercising
; Constitutional Rights.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Oct. 29.
fter pronouncing a strike of bi-
iminous coal miners inevitable and
aming the operators for forcing a
alkout that may involve half a
illion men directly, the conference
f officials of the United Mine
porkers of America wound up its
bsiness tonight and dissolved. Dis-
..4- M,t,. J 1, C 4 1
t itsiuciibo auu iiicmucxa tl-L tilt;
le committee left for their homes
direct the locals in the strike,
'ich is to become effective at mid
ght Friday.
Only a new wage agreement to re-
lace the one which they claim ex-
lred with the war emergency is
ished by the union, its leaders em-
hasizing that a call from the mine
wners for a joint meeting would
ind the organization ready to ne
otiate on any or all of the demands
ormulated at the Cleveland conven-
on of the union.
"Final 'Word" Sent Out.'
These and other points in the
p ion's position were set forth in a
tement prepared by a committee
the conference and adopted by
K .nimous vote, lhe statement was
t .racterized as the "final word"
m union forces, and John L.
,vis, acting president, and other
icials referred questioners to the
tpm Put as m Vinr? -i n cr owomrfVftiir
I i,Ivijiim6
I it could be said and as answering
il rumors as to motives actuating
' union.
'he statement brought out that no
Oinmunication had been received
rora the national administration
nC that the union had knowledge
f President Wilson's attitude to-
vard the strike only through news-
jaoer accounts. It combated the
v -iident's claim that the strike was
;al by asserting that the right to
ke or quit work had been upheld
the courts and that in leavintrt
" ; iKo ...u : I
ir jobs the men would exercise
it constitutional prerogative.
Ulterior Aims Disavowed.
Charges that the miners were en-
It ivoring to force nationalization
pf tne . mines was indignantly de-
h'ed and again the language of the
(statement that "all of their demands
ire incorporated in the wage pro
Dosal" was quoted.
Emphasis was laid on the last
entence of the statement as follows:
"The issue has been made and if
it must be settled upon the field of
industrial battle the responsibility
i-ests fairly and squarely upon the
"ioal barons alone."
1 The word "if" was explained as
?nificant of the readiness to ne-
tiate. While conceding that there
.s no way of preventing the strike,
;e union's spokesman, Ellis Searles,
gued that with the strike in ac-
I'.al effect the operators' demand
lat the strike order be withdrawn
s a condition precedent to negotia
tion was automatically wiped out.
I Crisis Soon Expected.
i "We fully expect this difficulty
lo be settled as all difficulties in the
j'v-oal-mining industry have been for
bo years by direct negotiations be-
ween the owners and workers," he
;aid. "When that point will be
y-eached we do not attempt to say.
But the strike will be so big and
jiave such far-reaching effects that
we do not believe it can last very
Tomorrow the executive board of
the union will meet to clear up a
big batch of business incidental to
a strike and various routine
t-ffairs which have been accumu
lating. V Operators Held Itenpomilble.
k The statement follows:
"The conference of United Min5
Worktfi"-'. cu:nvuseil of members of
I .Cuiivluded on Page a. Column l.
TRAIN HITS AUTO; 2'
PENDLETON MEN DEAD
FORMER COCXTV CLERK
FRANK SALING BADLY HURT.
John F. Robinson, Laundrjman,
and Dr. G. S. Hoisington Killed
at Saxc Station.
PENDLETON, Or., Oct. 29. (Spe
cial. )-r-John F. Robinson, proprietor
of the Domestic laundry, and Dr. G. S.
Hoiaington, Pendleton physician, were
killed today almost instantly, and
Frank Sailing, former county clerk,
was badly injured when the automo
bile in which Mr. Saling- was taking
them to a meeting of the Knights
Templar in Walla Walla was sfl-ock
by an incoming Walla Walla train at
the grade crossing a't Saxe station,
four miles east of this city.
A long row of poplar trees border
ing the road at the crossing hid the
approaching train from the men in
the car and it was not until they were
almost in the track and the train
driving down on the car that they dis
covered their danger. Mr. Saling used
all his brakes and turned the car to
one eide of the road, but it skidded
onto the track, where the engine
struck it, telescoping it and tossing
it to one side, burying the three men
under the wreckage.
Other members of the party of Pen
dleton Masons, close behind, stopped
and took the occupants of the wrecked
car to the hospital. Both Mr. Robin
son and Dr. Hoisington, however, died
on the way. Mr. Saling wu badly
cut about the head, but not danger
ously hurt. Fractures of the skull
caused the death of both Mr. Robin
son, who was in the rear seat, and Dr.
Hoisington, who was sitting with the
driver.
Both men were prominent in busi
ness affairs in the city. Mr. Robin
son had been active in business life
here for many years. He is survived
by hie widow and one eon, Donald,
lately returned from service in the
United States navy.
Dr. Hoisington is survived by his
widow and a daughter, Marion.
SEATTLE TO BAN ALIENS
Law to Refuse Licenses to Jap
anese Business Men Planned.
SEATTLE, Wash., Oct. 29. (Spe
cial.) No alien or non-rjident will
be permitted to engage in any busi
ness which requires a license after
January 21, 1921, if an ordinance in
troduced at s. special meeting of the
city council today becomes a law.
Holders of licenses who have large
amounts of money invested in pool
rooms, soft drink 'parlor? ?rd biiafa
rooms, motion picture houses and
other places of business, would have
until January 1, 1921, to get out of
business in the city of Seattle.
The effect of the ordinance. If
passed, will be to put hundreds of
Japanese out of business in Seattle.
The proposed ordinance provides that
the council license committee shall
issue no license except to an Amer
ican citizen.
WOLVES LAUGH AT POISON
Two Hunters Are Out Time, Trou
ble, Dead Horse and Bait.
EUGENE, Or.. Oct. 29. (Special.)
J. A. Haynie and George Leech of the
Oakridge country are of the opinion
that the wolves around Bristol moun
tain, near the summit of the Cascades
above Oakridge, have cast-iron stom
achs, immune to poison mixtures.
On a recent hunting trip to Bristol
mountain' they killed an old horse and
baited it well with their poison mix
us. which were said to be sure and
Quick death to wolves or any other
i "varmints."
I When morning came they found
J that half of the dead horse had been
devoured, but no dead wolves were to
be found. They left the carcass out
another night and the wolves finished
it. There was no sign or trace of dead
wolves.
HAMMOND STRIKE ENDED
Car Works Opened for First Time
Since July 18.
HAMMOND, Ind." Oct. 29. Follow
ing a conference between Standard
Steel company officials and labor
union leai'ers, the strike at the car
works ended today when 1500 work
ers entered the gates for tbo first
time since July 18.
The company granted a small in
crease In wages and gave representa
tlon by crafts instead of dealing with
tte workers' council.
DYNAMITER IS CONVICTED
Bridge Wrecker Says He Acted
Under German Orders.
FREDER1CKTON. N. B., Oct. 29.
Werner Horn was found guilty today
on the charge that he dynamited the
Canadian end of the International
bridge at St. Croix February 12, 1915.
The jury was out only 1Z minutes.
Horn, who conducted his own de
fense, said he was a German officer
and was acting under orders of the
German government in war time.
MINERS WILL BE GUARDED
Colorado to TTse Troops to Protect
Those Who Will Work.
COLORADO SPRINGS. Colo. Oct. 29.
Governor Shoup tonight announced
that the state national guard would
be mobilized immediately for the pro
tection of mines and miners who
wished to work during the impending
coal strike.
The announcement was made fol
lowing a conference here after his
arrival today from Chicago, ' '
RAILROADS ALONE
UP-LOVETT
Prosperity General, Says
Railroad Chief.
MIDDLE WEST GROWS RICH
Enormous Crops Harvested
in All Interior States.
ARTY INSPECTING LINES
Head of Union Pacific SyMcm Is
Looking Over Road Enter
tainment Is Arranged.
Robert S. Lovett, president of the
Union Railroad, accompanied by Mrs.
Lovett and her friend. Miss Bean, and
members of the official party of the
railway corporation, arrived in Port
land at 4:25 P. M. yesterday. Judge
Lovett had not been over the Union
Pacific lines for two years and had
visited the Pacific northwest only
once In that period. Last year he
joined the party of Director-General
McAdoo at Seattle and returned with
the special train that visited the
coast.
It is a tour of inspection that the
party has been making over the sys
tem lines, having spent eight days
since leaving Omaha on the main and
Important branch lines in the course
of the westward journey. J. D. Far
rell, vice-president and representa
tive of the corporate organization in
the west, is the only member of the
official family who remained at the
helm continuously. President Lovett
left the company to become director
of the division of capital expenditures
in the railroad administration, the
division upon which devolved heavy
responsibilities In the government
control of the railroads.
AdamM9 Service Recognised.
H. M. Adams, recently called to the
position of vice-president, to take
charge of traffic after the roads re
vert to. the corporate 'Owners per
formed a difficult task with conspic
uous success as director of traffic for
the war department. He Is one of the
few men whose work in civilian serv
ice during the war period was recog
nized by the distinguished service
cross.
Gerrit Fort, assistant director of
traffic of the United States railroad
administration, accompanies the party.
Mr. Fort is in charge of passenger
traffic for the division. On his last
visit to Portland he attended a con
ference of Union Pacific officials Just
before the announcement of the exec
utive decision to take over the rail
roads. Mr. Fort will be In Portland
next Monday, when he will return
east via Salt Lake City. Other mem
bers of the party are: E. E. Adams.
consulting engineer of New York;
C. T. Bower, secretary to President
(Concluded on Page 2. Column 2.)
TREATY
LONGSHOREMEN KEEP
625 SHIPS AT PIERS
NEW YO
'ORT CONGESTION
T IX HISTORY.
till' -
of Ticnp Exceeds
for Demurrage;
, Situation Improved.
N rORK. Oct. 29. An indica
tiou, he effect the longshoremen's
strikenas had on the port of New
York was shown in shipping records
of the port compiled up to noon today,
disclosing that 625 vessels, of which
540 are steamships, were tied up at
piers in Manhattan, Brooklyn and
St at en island or anchored in the har
bor. Shipping men said this was the
largest number of vessels ever re
corded as being in the port on one
single day. Of the steamships, 53 are
passenger vessels, among them some
of the largest liners afloat.
The daily cost of the tieup was esti
mated at more than Jl, 500,000 de
murrage alone.
United States shipping board offi
cials and representatives of private
shipping firms said that the strike
situation today showed Improvement.
STATE FARMS FRUITFUL
Value of 1919 Season's Produce
Aggregates $50,335.55.
SALEM, Or., Oct. 29. (Special.)
Produce aggregating a total value of
J50.335.55 was raised on the state hos
pital farms during the 1919 season,
according to Dr. L. H. Griffith, super
intendent of the institution.
There were planted to potatoes 163
acres, from which the hospital har
vested 13,000 bushels. Under present
market prices these would bring ?15,
600. The apple yield totaled 8000
bushels, valued at J9750. The oat crop
was 13.383 bushels, which, at 85 cents
a bushel, would return 111,375.55. The
hay yield totaled 738 tons, with an es
timated value of 811.070. The wheat
crop was 1270 bushels, worth 82540.
None of the produce from the hos
pital farm is for sale. It contributes
materially toward the maintenance of
the institution:
150,000 TO BE LAID OFF
Porto Rico Tobacco Congestion Due
to New York Dock Strike.
SAN JUAN. P, R.. Oct. 29. The
chamber of commerce and. the rotary
club yesterday sent a cable to Wash
ington urging relief by government
ships. If necessary, to obviate a threat
eued -foocj.. shortage, due to thedoclc
strike in New York. All food stocks
are becoming very scarce and prices
are advancing.
Owing to the lack of ships, 150,000
cigar and tobacco workers will be
laid off this week. It is reported
that there is in Porto Rico 50,000,000
cigars waiting shipment. No mall from
the United States has been received
here in three weeks.
R. H. LITTLE IS WOUNDED
Chicago Newspaper Man Injured
in Russian Fighting.
PARIS, Oct. 29. Richard Henry Lit
tle, a Chicago newspaper correspond
ent with General Yudenitch's army,
was seriously wounded in the fighting
near Petrograd, according to a mes
sage received here.
WAITING
HIM.
RATIFICATION
Dai,yi e
3 t)0
Jr.
1 , , : . , I
' ' ijjjT ' 1
5 DEAD, SCORES HURT
IN PASSENGER WRECK
SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRAIN DE
RAILED IN. CALIFORNIA.
Engineer and Fireman Arc Killed
' and Baggageman and Express
man Among Missing.
LOS ANGELES. CaL. Oct. 29. Five
persons were killed and more than 50
injured when Southern Pacific train
No. 50, the southbound San Joaquin
valley flyer, jumped the track on a
curve 2 miles south of Acton. 57
miles north of here, at 3:20 o'clock
this afternoon, and the engine, tender.
two baggage cars and five coaches
went Into the ditch.
The dead are:
Frank Feldler, engineer, San Fer
nando.
L. P. Force, fireman, Lob Angeles.
George Partington, address un
known..
Paul L. Matcson, Lakewood, O.
One unidentified man.
A partial- list of the injured fol
lows: William Hallizy, Seattle.
Fred Johns, Portland, Or.
Hoi is Shatk. Butte. Mont.
William Schroeder, The Dalles, Or.
The tourist and standard sleepers
remained on the track.
The train. In charge of Conductor
Alexander Cameron of Los Angeles,
consisted of two baggage cars, five
day coaches, three standard, and one
tourist eleeper.
It is believed the baggageman and
express messenger are among the
killed, as they have not been found.
The wreckage did not catch fire,
according to advices received here.
Forty injured passengers were sent
to Los Angeles in a relief train made
up at Acton.
Early reports stated that the cause
of the train leaving the rails was
unknown. The cars, plunging into
the ditch on the west side of the
track, ripped down the wires for sev
eral hundred yards, delaying news of
the wreck for some time.
According to telephone messages
from Acton, the dead and injured
were picked up by the crew of
freight train which arrived on the
scene about half an hour after the
accident and loaded into two Pull
mans, which remained to the track.
to await the arrival of relief.
A relief train, in charge of Assistant
Superintendents A. X. Holies ana J.
F. Donnatln, carrying 10 doctors and
six nurses, left here at 5:10 P. 11. and
was expected to arrive back about 9
o'clock.
About 20 of the injured were re
ported in serious condition, . .many
haying broken arras and . legs, . but
none was expected to die, according
to a report received here at 8:15
o'clock from Aoton.
BAR SILVER PRICE $1.28
Highest Price In 3 0 Years Quoted
on New York Market.
NEW YORK, Oct. 29. Bar silver
was quoted at $1.28 an ounce in this
market today, the highest price, ac
cording to dealers, in almost 30 years.
Silver. was subjected to wide fluctu
ations during the war, but fell almost
to SI after the United States govern
ment entered into an agreement with
Great Britain to ship large quantities
to India.
The recent rise is attributed to re
newal of demand from the orient
mainly China, and Increased domestic
use by silversmiths and allied trades.
i
REPUBLICANS HAVE
3 FOR -PRESIDENT
General Wood Leads With
Hiram Johnson Close.
STRENGTH WELL DISTRIBUTED
Governor Lowden Has Illinois
and Iowa Following.
HOOVER LIGHTLY TAKEN
Polndexter lias Mysterious Boom
and Gains Friends in East; I'ir&t
Test In South Dakota.
OREGON! AN NEWS BUREAU. Wash
ington. Oct. 29. There are Just three
going booms for the republican pres
idential nomination, and two of them,
to use a Utile slang, are going some.
General Leonard Wood is leading
off in a fast race, with Senator Hiram
W. Johnson of California in close
pursuit. The Wood and Johnson
booms are unlike any other candi
dacies mentioned because they are in
no sense sectional. Both of them
have strong following in all sections
of the country, and, to far, these tw
candidates seem to have a monopoly
of the strong New Bngland support.
A most potential element of
strength with both of them is that
their names are linked with that of
Theodore Roosevelt, who long before
his death had ceased to represent a
mere faction of the republican party.
Although neither candidate has given
any expression of personal interest in
the presidential contest. It is taken
for granted that their friends are not
acting without their knowledge and
consent.
The third candidate is Governor
Frank O. Lowden of Illinois, whose
following so far Is only local, being
confined to his home state and to
Iowa. Lowden is strong In Iowa,
which speaks well for him because
of Iowa's being one of the moat de
pendable of republican states.
' Wood Caainot Speak.
General Wood is under-some handi
cap because being In the army he
cannot get out on the stump and
make political speeches. Senator
Johnson is quite free to make politi
cal speeches or any -other kind of
public remarks If he desires. Just
now he Is the most-sought-after man
in the country to speak for the re
publican ticket in New Jerey, which
it is understood he would like to C j if
the treaty situation will permit him
to get away before the election one
week from Tuesday.
A boom for Herbert Hoover, former
federal food administrator, was
sprung reecntly In Washington, but
as it came from democratic sources
it has not been taken very seriously.
For the information of those who
heard of it through the newspapers
it should be stated that the publicity
matter which they saw came from
Individuals very close to Senator Phe
lan and is therefore regarded by the
knowing republicans aa a strategic
move by Phelan to split the republi
can party in California next year Jn
his own interest.
Hoover Kitchen Candidate.
Hoover was heralded In this public
ity matter as the "kitchen candidate,"
and it was said that he would bo
formidable among the women voters
next year because of their intimate
acquaintance with him by reason
of their co-operative efforts m en
forcing the food regulations during
the war. The author of this public
ity perhaps did not know that Mr.
Hoover was not especially popular In
all the kitchens of the country.
Hoover calls himself a republican
and a resident of California and it Is
said that he has been busy acquiring
newspapers in that state for several
months, but it is doubted if he could
get anywhere In his home state In a
contest with Hiram Johnson. The
only support that Hoover could ex
pect In California would be from
those who have always been enemies
of Johnson's, and these constitute the
element which most bitterly resented
Hoover's indorsement last yea,r of
President Wilson's appeal for a demo
cratic congress.
Polndexter Boom Mystery.
The Polndexter boom is the most
mysterious of all of the booms. It
has had a vast amount of publicity,
but just where it is getting no one
knows. There are intimations that In
New York and Pennsylvania there is
an undercurrent of sentiment among
leaders for the senator trom Wash
ington state. There is no doubt that
Polndexter's frequent open attacks
recently on bolshevlsm have mad
him some friends in quarters where
he never before possessed support.
And bolshevlsm will be a big issue
In the next campaign, no one seems
to doubt.
The state primaries In South Da
kota, at which all parties are to
choose their candidates for presi
dent and select delegates to the na
tional conventions Instructed accord
ingly, will be beld on the fourth Tues
day in March. This will be the first
test.
Whether the man who will receive
the nomination of the republican
party for president in the next na
tional convention has yet been men
tioned In that connection Is to mar y
leading republicans a matter of luuch
daubt. .
UNION LEADERS SEEK
FARMERS' ALLIANCE
LABOR CHIEFS OF NATION ARE
CALLED TO WASHINGTON.
Workers to Plan Campaign to
Combat "Grave Dangers Affect
ing Foundation of Structure."
WASHINGTON. Oct. . 29. "Funda
mental principles" upon which or
ganized labor may combat "grave
dangers affecting the very foundation
of its structure" are to be formulated
at a conference of union chiefs In
Washington, December 13.
Formal call for the conference to
day was sent to union leaders over
the country. It was signed by mem
bers of the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor and
the chiefs of the railroad brother
hoods, who explained that the farm
ers representatives who sat with
these union officials Saturday did not
feel they had authority to sign the
call.
However, it was stated that the
national farmers' organisation now
in session, or soon to meet, would be
invited to send delegates with full
power to act for those organizations.
It is the purpose of the union leaders
to form an alliance with the farmers'
organizations for the carrying out
of the campaign which will be
mapped out.
Regarding purposes of the confer
ence, the call said it was "impera
tive" that labor representatives adopt
a programme "which the wage earners
will accept In performing their du
ties as citizens and at the same time
maintaining the right of free men
in order to conserve human interest
and welfare."
ASHLAND BUDGET CARRIES
Increased Allowance for Schools
Generally Approved.
ASHLAND. Or., Oct. 29. (Special.)
With the lightest vote ever cast in
Ashland, the 1920-1921 budget for the
Ashland schools was carried at a spe
cial election held today. Of 40 votes
cast six voters opposed the increased
budget. The budget calls for $52,795
of which amount $36,195 is to be
raised by a special district tax, the
remainder coming from the estimated
receipts of the district, these being
county and stat'e school funds.
This year's budget exceeds last
year's by 5500.
AIRPLANE STRIKES SLEIGH
Two Children Reported Killed and
Three Injured.
HITTERDAL. Minn., Oct. 29. Clif
ford Lomsdahl, 8 years old, and Elsie
Moe, 14, .were killed and three per
sons were - injured today when an
airplane struck a sleigh carrying a
dozen children.
The pilot of the machine in landing
did not see the sleigh in time to
avoid it.
WANAMAKER IS ELECTED
Merchant Heads World's Sunday
School Association.
NEW YORK, Oct. 29. John Wana
maker today was elected chairman of
the executive committee of the
World's Sunday School association to
succeed the late H. J. Heinz of Pitts
burg.
James W. Kinnear of Pittsburgh
was chosen vice-chairman.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature
51 degrees; minimum. 42 degrees.
TODAY'S Fair; moderate southwesterly
lnda.
Foreign.
Bolshevists successful la defense of Petro
irsd. Pace 2.
Nationat.
Kins? Albeyt pays homage to memory of
Washington. Fage 3.
Moses amendment to peace treaty rejected
by senate. Page 2.
Government acts to meet coal strike,
rage 1.
Domestic
Union leaders seek alliance with farmers.
rag 1.
Nine are killed and scores hurt In Southern
Pacific passenger wreck. Page 1.
Spruce Inquiry provokes Ryan. Page 10.
Coal mine strike Inevitable, say union ot
flclals. Page 1.
Republicans have three presidential booms.
Page 1.
Longshoremen's strike ties up 625 vessels
at New York piers, page 1.
Pacific Northwest.
Two Pendleton men killed when train
strikes auto. Page 1.
Republicans rule boards In state of Wash
ington. Page 7.
Blood-stained overalls figure in trial ot
Bandon youth. Page 4.
Sports-
James John defeat Hill Military acad
emy at rootoaii, to u. page is.
Vancouver still eager for berth In coast
baseball league. Page 12.
U. S. S. Wyoming sailors cancel Multno
mah club football game. Page 12.
Mike Butler will train Harry Paul for
Wednesday's fight. Page l-l.
Commercial and Marine.
Winter demand tor alfalfa opening up.
Page 21.
Stock advance checked by flurry In money
rates. Page 21.
Chicago grain and provisions up on rumor
of loan to uermany. page -i.
Mont Cenls. old-time French steamer.
reaches Portland. Page -0.
Chambers of commerce ask more vesseln
for coast. Page ju.
Portland and Vicinity.
Judges may drop party from ballot.
Page 11.
George A. Thacher, criminologist, dies.
Page 9.
Arbitrators fix Bend lumber wage scale.
Page 21.
Ex-sales manager testifies cement company
entered combine. Page 14.
Bakers to put out two kinds of bread to
meet new price limit. Page 4.
Tots give pennies to Roosevelt memorial
fund. Page .
Old sweetheart Is divorce-suit surprise.
Page 15.
Head of t'nion Pacific and associates Port
land visitors, page 1.
Livestock show declared to make Port
land renter of inuuHtry. l'atce 1...
Youth kills self over love of l-yearo!d
iru. srae t . . . .
U. S. TO MEET
COAL STRIKE
Resources Mobilized to
Avert Disaster.
WARTIME LAW REVIVED
Garfield Administration to
Protect Public; Price Control
to Curb Profiteers.
WALKOUT WILL BE TESTED
"Invading Army Attempts
Deadly Attack," Announces
Attorney-General Palmer.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29. The
government moved swiftly today to
meet the nation-wide coal strike or
dered for Saturday.
Refusal of the miners onraniia.
tion at Indianapolis to withdraw the
order calling out half a million men
brought instant announcement that
rastic action would be taken to keen
the mines in operation.
Every resource of thi minm.
ment, in the words of Attornev-
General Palmer, "will be used to
prevent the national disaster" cer
tain to follow the stoppage of work.
Workers to Be Protected.
Adequate police protection, with
troops as a last resort, if necessary,
will be given those men desiring to
remain at work.
Reports from government agents
show that a big part of the miners
ordered to quit work want to stay
on the job.
Rights of the public will be pro
tected through revival of price-control
regulations. This means an
early drop in the price of soft coal
and gives 'assurance against prof
iteering.
As to those miners who go on
strike and thereby curtail produc
tion, the food and fuel control law
with its recently added criminal pen
alties of fine and imprisonment will
be enforced without regard to per
sons. This attitude of the govern- -
ment, Attorney-General Palmer
made clear, does not affect the right
of workers to strike for redress of
grievances in other cases where no
violation of the law is involved.
Strike Action Denounced.
Mr. Palmer's announcement of the
government's plans, made after a
consultation with Secretary Wilson,
Director-General Hines, Assistant
Attorney-General Ames, in charge
of prosecutions under the food and
fuel control law; Assistant Attor
ney-General Garvan, directing crim
inal prosecutions and investigations
of the department of justice; Secre
tary Tumulty, representing the
president, and Dr. Garfield, former
fuel administrator, did not mince
wcrds in dealing with the strike.
"The proposed strike," the an
nouncement declared, "would be a
more deadly attack on the life of
the nation than an invading army.
The facts present a situation which '
challenges the supremacy of the
law."
Legality to Be Tested.
The position of the government
was announced by Mr. Palmer as
follows:
"There can be no doubt that the
government has the power in the
public interest, under the law, to
deal with the projected strike of the
bituminous coal miners, without in
fringing upon the recognized right
of men in any line of industry to
work when they please and quit
work when they please. The ille
gality of this strike can and will be
established without in any way im
pairing the general right to strike,
and the general right to strike ia
not in issue in any sense whatever
in the present situation.
"This is true because the circum
stances differentiate this case from
the case of any other strike that has
ever taken place in the country.
It does not follow that every strike
is lawful merely because the right
to strike is recognized to exist.
Every case must stand upon its own
botto mand be governed by its own
facts. Therefore, when the presi
dent said in his statement last Sat
urday that 'such a strike in such cir
cumstances is not only unjustifiable
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