VOL. LVIII XO. 18,391
Entered .t Portland (Oregon)
fostofffc as Second-Class Matter.
PORTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1919.
PRICE FIVE CENTS
REPUBLICANS
SHIPPING BOARD PUTS
HULLS HERE ON SALE
$75,000 ASKED FOR 3500-TOX
FEKRIS WOODEX SHELLS.
BAKER IS TARGET
MIDGET REPUBLIC IS
DECLARED HAPPIEST
DRY SAN FRANCISCO
HAS FEWER MURDERS
3 MONTHS' RECORDS SHOW 50
PER CEXT DECREASE.
OPERATORS MAY SUE
COAL MINERS' UNION
CONTRACT BREACH CHARGED
BY THOMAS BREWSTER.
OF
HOLD BAY STATE
POLITICS, STRIKES, DISORDER
ALL UXKXOWX.
SHANTUNG
CHAMBERLAIN
Governor Coolidge Gains
Sweeping Victory.
PLURALITY IS 124,155
Kentucky Also Elects Repub
lican Executive Mary
land Result in Doubt.
TAMMANY HALL IS DEFEATED
Race in New Jersey Is Close.
Ohio Stays Dry by Majority
3 Times Vote Year Ago.
ELECTION RETX.RXS.
Massachusetts Unofficial In
complete returns for governor
give: Coolidge, republican, 317,
769, and Long, democrat, 193,
614. Coolidge vote largest ever
received by candidate for gov
ernor in state.
New Jersey K. I. Edwards,
democrat, leading Newton A. K.
Bugbee, republican, for govern
or by 1395 votes in returns from
1865 districts out of 2011.
Ohio State votes to etay dry
by apparent majority three
times larger than it voted a
year ago. Dry majorities for
prohibition proposals estimated
et 75,000.
New York Tammany appar
ently defeated in first and sec
ond districts for supreme court
justices. Race In city for presi
dent of board of aldermen close,
with LaGuardia, republican,
slightly behind Moran, Tam
many nominee.
Maryland Incomplete returns
show extremely close race be
tween Ritchie, democrat, and
Nice, republican, for governor.
Illinois Incomplete returns
indicate constitutional conven
tion delegates favoring initia
tive and referendum, public
ownership and gateway amend
ment elected.
Texas Two of el constitu
tional amendments apparently
adopted, fate of two others in
doubt; two other amendments
and a resolution for constitu
tional convention seemingly
lost.
Mississippi Lieutenant-Governor
Russell, democrat, elected
governor. No republican candi
date. Kentucky Edwin P. Morrow,
republican, elected governor
over Governor Black, democrat,
by large majority.
Sweeping republican victories are
shwn in election results in Massa-
chusetts and Kentucky, with the re-
suit in doubt in New Jersey.
Kunning on a "law and order" is
sue, Governor Calvin Coolidge of
Massachusetts, opposed by the cen
tral labor union because of his stand
on the Boston police strike, sent his
democratic opponent, Richard H
Long, down to overwhelming defeat
with an indicated plurality of more
than 120,000.
Kentucky was, another state to
elect a republican governor. Edwin
P. Morrow received a majority esti
mated at 15,000 to 20,000 over Gov
ernor James Black.
Mississippi Democrats Win.
In Mississippi the democrats, fac
ing only a socialist ticket, won a
victory by a plurality of approxi
mately 50,000, sending Lee M. Rus
sell, lieutenant - governor, to the
governor's chair.
Early today it was not known
whether Maryland had elected as its
governor Attorney-General Albert
C. Ritchie, democrat, or Harry W,
Nice, his republican opponent.
With few returns belated except
in Baltimore, where the count was
only half completed, Ritchie was
leading by about 1000.
Although an "off year" in New
York politics, a bitter contest was
waged for the offices appearing on
the ballot. Spirit was ient to the
campaign by the stand taken by the
Hearst newspapers. Swinging thei
support to the republican ticket.
they waged war on Tammany's nom
inees. Tammany appeared to have
suffered a marked defeat.
Roosevelt Beats Private.
Particular interest attached to the
victory won by Lieutenant-Colonel
(.Concluded, on Page 4, Column 1.)
Portland Listed as One of Centers
for Disposal of 200 Ships In
Present State of Completion.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Nov. 4.i An
nouncement was made tonight that
the emergency fleet corporation has
fixed 1 75.000 as the prjce for the 3500
ton Ferris type wooden ship hulls the
government intends to sell. Nearly
200 wooden ships, mostly of the Fer
ris, are to be eold. The price applies
to the hulls now'in the mooring basins
in their present elate of completion,
and is on the bare boat basis. Equip
ment on the vessels will also be sold.
"To purchasers of bulls, who so de
sire," the announcement said, "we will
sell equipment at euch prices that we
estimate Ferris hulls can be finished
as steamers for J230.000 or $65.71 per
deadweight ton, which should be at
tractive in view of the present prices
for completed vessels."
The ships are to be eold at Shat
tuck yard, Portsmouth, N. H.; Wilson's
Point, South Norwalk, Conn.; Mary
land Shipbuilding company, Balti
more; Hog Island; Beaumont, Tex.;
Alameda, CaL; Columbia Slough, Port
land, Or.; Lake Union, Seattle.
Nine steamship hulls and seven
argcs are now moored In North
Portland harbor, for sale under the
plan outlined, by the emergency
fleet corporation, according to J.
Weston Hall, assistant manager of
the construction division of the Ore
gon district. Though berths were
originally provided for 22 hulls, sev-
ral have been converted Into steam
ships and already sold, and the 16
ow at anchor represent the total
for the Portland district, said Mr.
Hall.
Approximately 12 hulls are at the
liberty yards, San Francisco, and 36
re listed at Lake Union, Seattle
The supply and sales division sold
three hulls at San Francisco last
week, for a lump sum aggregating
250,000. These were originally de
igned as steamships, but were con-
erted to ' barkentines. Locally
egotiations are pending for several
ulls.
YAKIMA FIREMEN LET OUT
Mayor Discharges All Members for
Refusal to Quit Labor Union.
YAKIMA. Wash., Nov. 4. Members
f the Yakima fire department, form
ing a committee representing 26 fire
menv today . .presented to Forest H.
Sweet a written reply signed by the
firemen refusing the demand of the
ity commission that they sever their
f filiation, with the American Federa
tion of Labor and rejecting the com
mission's offer of a $10 wage increase
the married men of the depart
ment.
Previously Chief Ray Hare of the
department had telegraphed to Lee
McKenzie of the state fire under
writers' association as follows:
"All members of the Yakima fire
department discharged by mayor.
Entire force leaves at 12 o'clock noon
Wednesday."
The night shift of firemen was on
duty tonight, but it was said at the
fire station that the day men did not
expect to return tomorrow morning
and that the fire stations would be
deserted at 8 o'clock A. M.
MODERN PASTOR BLAMED
Divergence From Bible Declared
Responsible lor Unrest.
SACRAMENTO, CaL, Nov. 4. Pana
cea for social unrest is found in the
Bible, the Rev. Samuel G. Neal of
Philadelphia, told the delegates at the
northern California Baptist conven
tion, which opened here today.
'There would be no Industrial Work
ers of the World movement or bolshe-
vism if ministers made the atmos
phere for such thoughts unhealthy by
their sermons," the Rev. Mr. Neal said.
It is the so-called up-to-date min
isters who leave the Bible entirely
and get too modern, who create much
of the unrest in the world today."
FRENCH GENERAL TRIED
Fournier Before Court Over Sur
render of Fort to Germans.
PARIS, Nov. 4. (Havas.) Briga
dier-General Fournier, who com
manded the French fortress of Mau
beuge, at the outset of the war, ap
peared today before a special court
martial to answer for the surrender
of the fortress to the Germans.
The surrender was made in Sep
tember, 1914, during the Germans'
great sweep southward toward Paris
in the first stage of the war.
BROKER'S CLOTHES FOUND
Search for San Franciscan""ls Be
gun at Swimming Cove.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. ,. After the
finding of his clothes in a swimming
cove at Belvedere, near here, a search
was instituted today for Frank
Simons, prominently locally as a
broker.
He told friends Saturday he in
tended to go swimming in the cove.
WILSON READS RETURNS
President Takes Keen Interest in
New Jersey Results;
WASHINGTON. Nov. 4. President
Wilson's condition was so much im
proved tonight that election returns
were given him during the early part
of the night.
The president was especially Inter
ested in the returns from his home
state of New Jersey,
Senator Has Sharp Tilt
With War Secretary.
SOLON CHARGES USE OF AXE
Oregonian Disputes Veracity
of Official's Answer.
ANSELL CASE ROUSES IRE
Cabinet Officer Admits Ignorance
of General McCain's Experi
ence In Military Matters.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4. Secretary
Baker and Senator Chamberlain, dem
ocrat, Oregon, former chairman of the
senate military committee, clashed
sharply today at the hearing of a sub
committee dealing with the military
justice controvert-!.
"Whenever an Inferior officer gets
into a disagreement with hla supe
rior he Is likely to get the ax very
suddenly," Senator Chamberlain de
clared. That Isn't a. fact," Secretary Baker
said.
But I say It Is," Senator Chamber
lain responded. "We know It up
here."
"Oh, of course," Mr. Baker said
when an officer comes up to con
gressional committees and says
things that are independent of de
partment views, you class anything
that happens to him after as puni
tive punishment."
Kenley- Not "Disciplined."
"Take your own actions," eaid Sen
ator Chamberlain. "What did you do
to General Kenley for his aircraft
statements up here?"
"He was not disciplined," Secretary
Baker returned.
"No, you don't call It discipline
Senator Chamberlain remarked. "What
happened to Ansell (former acting
judge advocate)? You put him In a
place of Innocuous desuetude and re
duced him In rank."
"I did .that," Mr. Baker replied. "He
was not only disagreeing witn nis
superior he was slandering him."
"Yes, and what became of Adjutant
General McCain when he thought his
office ought not to go under the gen
eral staff?" asked Senator Chamber
lain.
"I gave him the opportunity to com
mand a division in the field, the
heart's desire of every soldier." Mr.
Baker said. ,
"Yes, but did he ask to be relieved?"
Senator Chamberlain persisted.
Ignorance of Record Confessed.
"He'd never had anything but of
fice experience. I confess that I did
not know his military record." Mr.
Baker said. "I thought he had com
manded troops."
Senator Chamberlain named other
officers of lower rank and the sec-
(Concluded bn Page 3, Column 1.)
Neither Xewspapers Xor Profiteers
Disturb Peace of Little An
dorra, Say Travelers.
NEW YORK, Nov. 4. Direct from a
paradise, where since the year 841
there have been no politics, strikes,
profiteering, drunkenness or disorder
and but one violent death, came two
men to New YorK today. They Jour
neyed from Andorra, the "oldest and
smallest republic in the world." The
steamship Cataluna, from Barcelona,
Spain, brought them.
It costs Andorra $400 a year to
maintain Its independence and peace
from outside interference, they said.
This money is paid in tribute equally
divided between France and Spain, its
neighbors. Charlemagne gave the ter
ritory its freedom and it has been
maintained uninterrupted to date.
Fisk Warren and Joseph Alemany.
trustees of the single tax colony of
Sant Jordi, were the two arrivals
from Andorra. They are on their way
to Fairhope, Ala., near Mobile, to at
tend the celebration of its 25th anni
versary as the oldest and largest sin
gle tax community In the world.
Andorra, they said, pays Its presi
dent $16 a year and its 24 members
of parliament 15 each. The country
is 175 miles in extent. Its population
is 6000.
"There Is no Internal strife In An
dorra." Mr. Warren declared, "because
the people know each other so well
that irresponsible persons never can
hope to fool any part of them any
part of the time and ever hold office.
There are no newspapers. A large
percentage of the people are Illiterate
but intelligent."
Mr. Warren and Mr. Alemany will
go first to Harvard, Mass., where the
former founded a single tax colony.
ALIEN SLACKERS BARRED
Mayor of Seattle Calls Attention to
Law Forbidding Employment.
SEATTLE, Wash., Nov. 4. In a let
ter sent to heads of all city depart
ments Mayor Fitzgerald called atten
tion to the law passed by the last
legislature forbidding the employ
ment of alien slackers by any city or
the state or by contractors employed
on public work. Heads of depart
ments were asked to cull over the
lists of their employes and remove
such employes.
. The mayor also wrote the board of
public works, asking: the board to
take what steps might be necessary
to Insure that contractors taking city
work did not violate the law.
HOTEL CLERKS HUMBLED
Haughty New Yorkers' Business
Hit by Prohibition.
NEW YORK, Nov. 14. Prohibition
enforcement has humbled the naughty
hotel clerk In New York.
A week ago he told out-of-towners
with his loftiest and most distant air
that there were no accommodations
left for the night. Now he all but
goes Into the street hunting for pros
pective patrons.
Hall rooms, rooms and baths, and
whole suites have been available for
the last four nights, hotel proprietors
announced today, "because of prohl
bition."
FOR GOODNESS SAKES STOP IT!
Fatal Accidents Less Numerous by
2 0 Per Cent; Suicides Have
Not Fallen Off.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 5 (Special.)
A 50 per cent decrease in murders.
20 per cent decrease In deaths
caused by accidents, and only one
quarter as many alcoholic patients
treated at the central emergency hos
pital, is the first three months' rec
ord for prohibition, as compared with
a similar period in 1918, according to
figures furnished by the coroner's
office and emergency hospital author
ities. Of 6420 patients who sought treat
ment at the central emergency hos
pital for various ailments and injur
ies during July. August and Septem
ber, 1918, 1000 were registered as
either alcoholic or intoxicated; prac
tically one In every six.
During the same months In 1919,
following the enforcement of the
wartime prohibition act, only 250 pa
tients were recorded as being under
the influence of alcohol, out of a to
tal of 6S70.
There were 20 murders and 84 ac
cidental deaths in San Francisco in
July, August and September of 1918.
There were only 10 murders and 67
accidental deaths In the same period
this year.
Suicides have not fallen off.
34,000 OUT IN BARCELONA
Majority of Factories Continue to
Run Despite Lockout.
' MADRID, Nov. 4. Thirty-four thou
sand workers were unemployed as a
result of the first day of the lockout
In Barcelona. In the Immediate region
outside Barcelona a majority of the
factories are In operation.
The cabinet has decided before tak
ing any action to await the negoti
ations between the municipal authori
ties of Barcelona and the employers
which are expected to be effective.
The lockout was extended to port
and railroad docks, leaving them with
out any means of transport.
BRITISH V. C. PUNISHED
Officer Sentenced to Reprimand
for Criticising Waste In Russia.
LONDON, N o v. 4. Lieutenant
Colonel J. Sherwood Kelly, holder of
the Victoria cross, was sentenced by
courtmartial to be severely repri
manded. The t offense to which he pleaded
guilty, was the writing to London
newspapers of letters in which he
charged that there had been "a scan
dalous waste of lives and of vast
sums of money" in British military
operations in Russia,
STORK VISITS T. R.'S HOME
Colonel Roosevelt Wins First
Honors When Polls Open.
OYSTER BAY, N. Y., Nov. 4. At
the very hour the polls opened today
to receive the ballots that would send
Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Roose
velt or his opponent to the assem
bly, a son was born to Colonel and
Mrs. Roosevelt.
It was the fourth child, the others
being two sons and a daughter.
AMENDMENT FAILS
Senate to Dispose of Two
m More Today.
EARLY YOTE ON TREATY SEEN
Both Parties Confer and
Lean Toward Agreement.
FEW H0LD-0UTS LIKELY
Senators' Consider Secret Sessions
as Means to Discourage Nu
merous and Long Speeches.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4. Hope for
speedy action on the peace treaty
brightened up again today, when the
senate voted down one amendment,
agreed to dispose of two more tomor
row and renewed formal discussion of
methods to hasten consideratiou of
reservations.
Tonight some of the more optimis
tic predicted a vote on ratification
by the end of the week, while the
leaders on both sides thought it likely
to come within ten days at the least, j
In the background of all calcula-1
Hons, however, was the possibility of
an eleventh hour rally by the treaty's
irreconcilable enemies, who have In
timated more than once that they
were mindful of the opportunity
which might be presented to talk off
a final rollcall until the session of
congress ends early in December.
Agreement In SlRht.
Altogether the situation still was a
doubtful one, but republican and
democratic managers seemed con
fident that it soon would clear. While
debate continued today they held
many conferences and found agree
ment everywhere except among the
irreconcilables, it was ; -d, to bring
every possible pressure to bear for
early action. -Tomorrow Democratic
Leader Hitchcock expects to ask
unanimous consent for a sharp limi
tation of debate and he believes it
will be agreed to.
The amendment disposed of today
was one by Republican Leader Lodge
to strike from the treaty entirely
the Shantung provision. The vote
was 41 to 26, the proposal failing
by the votes of virtually the same
senators who several days ago de
feated the committee amendment on
that subject. Early tomorow action
will be sought on the amendment of
Senator Gore, Oklahoma, for a popu
lar vote before any declaration of
war, and later the proposal of Sena
tor La Follette to strike out the
treaty's labor provisions will come
up under an agreement to vote finally
on It by 3 P. M. These are the only
amendments now remaining before
the senate, and their disposition will
clear the way for work on reserva
tions. Part of today's debate wrs on a
motion by Senator Borah, republican,
Idaho, to strike out article 10 of the
legaue covenant, but he withdrew
the proposal after suggestions had
been advanced for changing the for
eign relations committee reservations
on the subject to meet his objection.
Besides limitation of debate to 15-
mlnute speeches as proposed by Sen
ator Hitchcock, various expedients
have been suggested to insure prompt
action. One of these seriously con
sidered by some senators is that tha
senate go into secret session In the
hope that speeches will not be so
numerous or so long if they are not
given public circulation.
ROME, Nov. 2. (By the Associated
Press.) England has decided to sup
port the solution proposed by Italy
relative to the Adriatic question and
"has given instructions to this effect
to her ambassador in the United
States," says the Tribuna.
The National Council of Flume, ac
cording to this newspaper, has of
ficially notified the entente powers
of the resolution passed October 30,
claiming annexation to Italy, under
the principle of self-determination.
The real solution of the Adriatic
problem, according to Admiral Thaon
di Revel, former representative of
Italy on the lnter-aHied naval coun
cil at Paris, Is to make that sea a
"disarmed sea."
PARIS. Nov. 4. (Havas.) France
has taken the initiative in present
ing to the Washington government a
new proposal for settlement of the
Flume question, according to the Echo
de Paris. The newspaper says the
move has the support of Great Britain.
November 10 has been fixed by the
supreme council as the date when
the plebiscite commission created un
der the German peace treaty shall
meet in Paris to discuss the elections
in the various areas, the political af
filiation of which is to be settled by
popular vote. The United States will
not be represented even unofficially
at this meeting.
Holland has been advised by the
council that it adheres to the decision
previously reached not to recognize
the Dutch ownership or German ships
purchased by Holland after the open
ing of the war.
The council discussed the Hun
garian situation, but made no great
Droeress toward a solution of the
problem of dealing with the Rou
manians, who are still occupying a
considerable section of the country.
tConciuded sa Page 3. Column 2.)
Scale Committee Chairman Avers
Employers Abided by Pact
"Which Is Still in Efrcct.
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 4. The majority
of coal operators probably will, sue
the United Mine Worker-of America
for alleged breach of contract, Thomas
Brewster, chairman cl the coal
operators' scale committee, announced
tonigrht.
'The contract stipulated that the
pact would remain in force until the
termination of the war and the offi
cials of the miners' union violated
this agreement by calling the pres
ent strike," Mr. Brewster said. "The
operators have fulfilled every agree
ment they made. The suits, I be
lieve, probably will be Instituted by
the individual operators, and not by
the. operators' association."
In discussing the statemer t of John
L. Lewis, acting president of the
United Mine Workers, that the ma
chinery of the joint system of bar
gaining in the mining industry re
mained intact, Mr. Brewster reit
erated the operators would not re
open negotiations with the miners
until they returned to work, pending
rinai settlement or difficulties by an
arbitration board.
In referring to the Kenyon reso
lution introduced in the senate to
day that a presidential commission
be appointed to attempt arbitration
of the difficulties. Mr. Brewster said
the operators would abide by any
action taken by the government.
JAILBIRDS MAKE LIQUOR
Prisoners Buy Crapes and Apples
to Form Juice With "Kick."
SPOKANE, Wash.. Nov. 4. Some of
the prisoners in the city jail in the
last week have expressed a special
fondness for Tokay grapes. There
was nothing unusual in that, so they
were allowed to buy them. Others
preferred apples. This was nothing
unusual, either. Sometimes, too, jail
food was not sugared highly enough,
so some prisoners purchased large
amounts of sugar, which was their
privilege.
Today Police Matron Ella Bangs
found in the woman's section of the
jail a five-pound bucket of a mixture
in the process of fermentation, which
disclosed strong symptoms of being
In the process of developing a "kick."
The contents of the bucket smelled
to the matron like homemade wine.
It was confiscated and consigned by
Police Chief Weir to the "pouring
squad."
HOME ROBBED OF SUGAR
Thieves Take Insurance Policies
and Jewelry.
Five pounds of sugar formed part
of the loot which robbers stole last
night from the home of Frank E. Cro
nan, 732 East Fiftieth street north.
The intruders entered 1 the building
through a rear window and also stole
valuable silverware and jewelry.
Inspectors Hellyer and Leonard,
who Investigated, reported that the
thieves also had taken three life in
surance policies. The missing jewelry
includes two diamond lavallieres and
a watch.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Highest temperature,
degrees; lowest, 46 degree..
TODAY'S Rain; strr -ig westerly winds.
Foreign.
51
French premier makes plea for Increased), , - , , ., .
production. Page 5. j half year's work their working
TurpageWt9 throueh EurPn Jealousy. days averaging from 160 to ISO
National. ( days a year, intermittent, by days
Secretary Baker is target of Senator '. anfl hv weeks pmnlnvmpnfc and
Chamberlain before senate committee.
Page 1.
Shantung amendment falls in senate.
Page 1.
Overthrow of United States government
declared part of bolshevik programme.
Page 5.
Xbor conference roiled by Senator Sher
man. Page 17.
Coal miners and operators refuse to yield.
Page 6.
Fuel Administrator Garfield to regulate
price of anthracite coal. Page 2.
Leaders try to end coal strike. Page 1.
Domestic.
Truth In advertising declared Pandolfe'a
aim. Page 7.
Shipping board puts Ferris hulls here on
marKet. Page 1.
Democratic party leaders pleased by
Massachusetts election. Page 4.
Midget republic is declared happiest of
all. Page 1.
Party policies all up In air, says Acker
man. Page 6.
Fuel conservation machinery ready to oper
ate. Page 2.
Dry San Francisco has fewer murders.
Page 1.
Coal operators may sue miners union.
Page 1.
Republicans victorious In several state elec
tions. Page 1.
Mine union head defends loyalty. Page 3.
Pacific Northwest.
Governor of Washington prepares for dras
tic action. Page 3.
Sports.
Winged M matmen will invade Los Ange
les. Page 15.
Jack Dempsey to receive 1135,000 for box
ing Joe Beckett. Page 15.
Oregon-Washington state game looms large
on football horizon. Page 14.
Jefferson high eleven defeats Lincoln.
16 to O. Page 14.
Commercial and Marine.
Rise of Willamette river scatters log
booms. Page
Naval radio station project uncertain.
Page ...
Portland and Vicinity.
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, suffrage leader,
to arrive in Portland today. Page 16.
Costs of supplies for city departments in
creased. Page S.
Stock show drive for last 950,000 Is on.
Page 13.
Government money for market roads
stopped until July. Page 12.
Sleeping sickness kills two. Page 16.
Bishop Walter T. Sumner returns from
Episcopal convention. Page 16.
District Attorney Haney doubts bread
profiteering. Page 17.
State lags behind In Roosevelt drive.
Page 1-.
LEADERS TRY TO
END CDALSTRIKE
Withdrawal of Injunction
Held First Step
GllPERS AND LEWIS ACT
Miners' Willingness to Nego
tiate for "Honorable Ad
justment" Announced.
WAY TO NEW SCALE IS SEEN
Garfield Confers With Head
of Operators' Association
to Reach Settlement.
SEATTLE, Wash., NdV. 4 (Spe
cial.) Information believed to be
authoritative was made known in a
quiet way here tonight that tomor
row the government at Indianapolis
will apply in federal court for a
mandatory writ demanding that the
United Mine Workers of America
call off the coal strike forthwith, or
be adjudged in contempt of court.
Officials here connected with the
United States attorney's office
would not be quoted on the report.
" WASHINGTON, Nov. 4. With
drawal of the injunction obtained by
the government will open the way
for settlement of the " coal strike,
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, de
clared in a statement tonight.
Charging that the injunction was
a grave wrong and gross blunder,
Mr. Gompers said if it were vacated
and miners and operators invited to
further conference by the depart
ment of laborhe had "an abiding
faith" that a mutually honorable ad
justment could be negotiated and
effected, "whereby the coal strike
can be brought to an end."
Gompers Defends Demands.
Mr. Gompers' statement was is
sued after his return here from
New York and in response to nu
merous requests for an expression
as to chances of bringing the strike
to a speedy end. The statement fol
lows: "Representatives of newspapers
have asked me for a statement re
garding the coal strike and the sit
uation. "In the first instance, it should
be known that the demands of the
miners, which upon the surface seem
so radical and far-reaching are by
no means so. For several years the
I minprs linv Tint rtH mni-a tT-ian g
then u:.--ployment. The miners
simply ask for a regulation of the
working time so that coal produc
ts ,n and employment -iay be regu
lar rather than intermit". 3nt. If the
miners were permitted b;- the oper
ators to work full time the supply
of coal thus mined would soon force
down the price of coal on ths mar
ket and tins the oper tors are de
termined not to permit.
Miners Held Not at Fault.
"The miners case might better ba
stated by their demanding at least
five days of six hours work a week,
which is really more than they are
permitted to work at the present
time. An understanding of these
conditions clearly shows who are
responsible for the present situa
tion and the cause.
"When in 1914 the miners re
ceived an increase' of 20 cents a ton,
the operators rrised the selling
price $5 a ton. Surely the condi
tions and the standards of life of tho
miners have deteriorated by reason
of there being no practical advance
in their wages and their earning
power, while the cost of living has
soared higher and higher.
"The mandate of the officers of
the United Mine Workers of Amer
ica was uirect from the representa
tives of the men who at the recent
convention decided that unless a
substantial improvement in wages
and a regulation of the working
time were granted the strike order
should be issued to take effect No
vember 1. President Lewis and his
associates therefore had no alterna
tive, particularly when the mine op
erators left the conference, leaving
(.Concluded on Page 2, Column JL
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