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OFFICIALS THINK 'STRIKE MAY END Adequate Protection wfll be Given Miners who Desire to Betnrn to Work. First Brmk Appears in Banks in West Yirgrinia District. Washington- Nnv n —rWBelal Wach- ington was firm in the belief tonight that the end of the coal strike was near. There was nothing deflnjte or tangible in the way of actual develop ments to justify this hopeful view of the situation, but everywhere feeling prevailed tfyat influences were being brought to bar to have the strikers numbering more than 400,000 to return to .wdrk. Confidential reports to the depart ment of Justice from its agents in the coal fields were said to show many defections from the ranks of the strik ers. Some of the reports said that large numbers of idle miners had de clared they wanted to return to work but were afraid. active charge of the threatening strike of soft coal miners scheduled to begin Friday at midnight, John U Lewis, acting president of the United Mine Workers of America, declared to night the strike order was still in ef fect and .that the 500,000 miners in the bituminous field would walk out to a man unless the operators made concessions. “The statement of President Wilson nnnnalng thp girikchaa thna far-haA workers’ annals, was $1,228 a year. In this penal* itAS-be used-di- rectly or indirectly for the benefit of ✓ ^ecTthYt adequate protection would be given. There was no specific state ment as to how this would be pro- "rwrdrrytrnr^fR roopT would be available at the call of any governor who believed it necessary to preserve order or protect workers. Scattered reports from the fields, reaching into 28 states, showed the first breaks in the ranks of organized labor in West Virginia and Colorado. Advices to Washington headquarters of the operators said that all non-un ion mines were working to full capaci ty and turning out considerably more coal than on Saturday. Some of the operators’ reports said that union men had gone to work in non-union mines, and that there was growing sentiment that the men themselves should have had the right to vote on the strike be fore it was ordered. This information, to a large extent, was in line with that received by the government, especially as to defec tions. Officials said the strikers real ized public sentiment was against them, and some labor leaders also were taking this view. Attorney General Palmer, handling the main end of the government’s case, went to Pennsylvania tonight feeling, it w'as said, that the crisis might be over before Saturday, the day on which the temporary injunction re straining officers of the miner’s organ ization from activity was made return able. Asked what the government would do that dav, an official said: “We will not cross that bridge un til we get to it.’’ The fact that no disorder was re ported anywhere by department of justice agents was taken as a good sign that conditions were hopeful and that the miners realized it was a time no results so far as we are concerned,” Lewis said. No word reached him, he stated, from government sources dur ing the day. . v Lewis expects to'reach Indianapolis dt 2:30 p. m., where he will make preparations for the meeting Wed nesday of the international executive board. He said tonight he expected no developments prior to this con- ferenfce: Branding statements that coal min ers were earning $10 to $15 a day as "absurd,” Mr. Lewis said the average pay of miners in the bituminous field for the year 1918, which he declared was the best twelve-month in mine earning of a miner under ’favorable circumstances might be, but said the earnings of “day men” amounted to TBKT »51«Wn Ha 1 'anil JS aTay" include track layers, drivers, mechan ics and laborers. Coal diggers, he stated, can make more money than that. He explained that wages of miners were curtailed, however, by the fact that mines operate on the average of only three or four d&ys a week. This condition, he said, made necessary a shorter day and week in order to furnish continuous employ ment, as embraced in wage demands suggested by miners early in the con ferences. Other demands include 60 per cent increase in wages, time and a half for overtime, elimination of the strike penalty clause, etc. In a statement issued tonight he said, to clear up popular misappre hensions about exactly what took place in the Joint conferences^ Mr. Lewis placed responsibility for the strike again on the operators. The statement follows: At the biennial conference of the United Mine Workers at Cleveland, September 9 to 23, attended by 2,046 delegates, a wage program and policy was outlined and scale committees were selected who w^re instructed to present demands to the operators. On Septembr 25, at Buffalo, the miners and operators met in joint committee. The miners presented their demands and were met by a blunt statement that the Washington agre- ment had not expired because the war was not ended and peace had not been promulgatd by the President. No counter-proposals were submit ted by the operators, who seemingly were determined to avoid making a new agreement. This committee ad- for sober judgment and action. Sev-ljourned for a week and reconvened eral miners’ meetings were scheduled I in Philadelphia on October 9, where for tonight in the coal fields and it was thought here that these might have an important bearing on the gen eral situation. W’hile it had been the government’s first reported intention to let the strike wear itself out, hope of settling the same circumstances obtained and sine die adjournment took place on October 11. The miners insisted at all times that they were ready to consider de mands from the standpoint of merit alqne. But consideration on this basis am amazed by its contents,” the at torney general replied. “While, of course, proper protec tion will be given to all miners who are willing to continue at work, it must be perfectly plain to you that even under such conditions the supply of coal must be far from norma]. Your proposition amounts, in fact, to a declaration that coal dealers should be permitted to take advantage of Lhasa abnormal . oaadltioat^aad their prices based entirely upon the law of supply and demand, which is only another way of saying that they should be permitted to charge what ever they please.. The demand for fuel will be constantly Increasing with the supply decreasing, unless there is government regulation, prices charged to the public will be outrageous anj the profits accruing to other citizens to co-operate in the general public 1| welfare in this emergency, even to the extent of sacrificing profits. VThe'action of the •government in restraining the officers of the mine workers’ union from furthering the strike order already issued was taken solely in the general public interest FREE Bread, Biscuits, Cake, Muffins, at the employers’ side of the controversy jf aay_advantagg shqll i^^ken^C). present conditions by any arrange ment or agreement of two or more persons to restrict either production or distribution in order to enhance the price of fuel, I shall without hesi tation take precisely the same action against such persons as has been taken against the officers of the mine workers’ union.” ^FARMER :fs carrying an express package from a big mail-ordfr house was accosted by a local dealer. “W'fc Mn'l yo* buy thaikm vf fooJ» from me? / coaU Aom you wooaU hoot boon pmbonLdng a S riovvM More, wmcn nttpw poy kho tarn and Halida op thla locality." Tho famnr looked at tho moo- chant a momonl and than aaid: "Why don’t yoa patnntm your homo payor and adoartiaa? / road H anddidn ’tknou>thatyoa hadthootajf MORAL—ADVERTISE Nov. lOth to Nov. 14th 1 9- Mrs. Nannie D. Worth, Domestic Science Ex- - pert and famed throughout the South for her “Old Virginia' r ~cooKmg, will give free lectures, and demonstrations on scientific baking and cooking, Daily, Nov. 1 Oth to Nov. 14th Mrs. Worth will actually bake bread, biscuits, cakes, rolls, and will explain thoroughly every point from the mixing to the. baking. PILLS^URY’S BEST FLOUR will be used, and every housekeeper should come and see what delicious products can be made with this economical and unfailing flour. > NOTHING SOLD. Demonstration Hours: • ‘ ' . A ■ - 1 • ' ^—, • 1 9 a. m. to 12:00. t 2 p. m. to 6 p. m. JK' -v- it put all agencies to work and somd we denied by the operators direct steps were taken, but their na- “The government in conference with ture was not disclosed. • operators^ and miners last week at < The sweeping powers of the federal Washington endeavored to secure a court injunction in cutting off all reopening-of negotiations. The miners strike benefits is being relied upon consented without reservation. The by the government .to bring the strike operators declined except under con- to a speedy end. - dltlons which rendered-negotiations Local representatives of the United | Impossible.” Mine Workers of America were nbtl I COAL TRADE WAST NO PRICE FIXfiD Attorney General Sharply Rebukes Head of Association for His Sugges tion. PuMk Interest will be Pro tected. Washington, Nov. 2.—Suggestion • V - - fled today that checks to cover ex penses for the last half of October could not be sent at this time because of the court’s order. Idleness of the miners with no funds available for their support makes it doubtful if they can hold out for any extended period, according to I from the Mi holesale Coal Trade asso- the view of men familiar with strike elation of New York that the govern- conditions. It is largely because of ment should not fix a maximum price this fact that labor leaders themselves for coal or interfere with the normal look for early peace in the industry. course of sup’ply and demand during Three conciliators of the department the strike brought from Attorney Gen- pf labor, here from the coal fields, | eral Palmer today vigorous assertion that he would ^take the same action against persons enhancing prices as was taken against the union officers. The action of the government was taken solely in the general public in terest,” Mr. Palmer declared, “and I shall not permit it to be used directly or indirectly for the benefit of the employers’ side of the controversy. ^ W. A. Marshall, president of the association, wrote Mr. Palmer recom mending that miners who want to work be given protection and that coal consumers be allowed to obtain fuel through the usual, normal chan nels. He asserted that with adequate protection enough coal would be pro duced to meqf the emergency, that Infixing a maximum price would curtail the operators’ ability to meet normal production costs caused by the strike and discourage their efforts to con tinue work, that priority lists would overstock certain consumers and al low others to go without, and that the fuel contr61 act could be used to prevent attempts at profiteering. “I am ]n receipt of your letter and When You Think of Misses and Ladies Ready-to-Wear you naturally think of e * ■ < ’ ■ ... • “ " ^ “THE BIG STORE WITH BIG VALUES’ m «pm; IN \99 Style, Distinction and Excellence are the outstanding features of our apparel. Come in and look over our large stock of Coats, Suits, Dresses, Skirts, Waists, etc. re in conference with officials of ^he Ss d£partment today and gave first hand information as to actual condi tions. They were Hymel Davis and James Purcell of Kentucky and Wil liam Rogers of Iowa. The question of possible curtailment of train service has been left to re gional directors for determination, al though railroad officials agreed that unless the strike is brought to a quick end, it may be necessary to reduce sharply both* freight apd passenger service. The railroad administration is ready to seize such coal as It needs, and move the rest to districts where the supply is low. PRESIDENT FAILS TO MOTE MINERS Lewis Off to Indianapolis to Take Charge of Coal Strike Starting Fri day. Repeats Charge that Operators are to Blame. Springfield, 111., Oct 27.—Ready to leave • Springfield early tomorrow morning for Indianapolis to assume QUALITY GOODS Our business has been built upon the solid foundation of quality. We consider jt above everything because it means that our custo mers will be more than satisfied with their purchases at this store. You will find some unusual values in the best styles and work manship, and our prices are the most reasonable in town. Come in while our showing is complete. M. S. Bailey & Sons “The Big Store With the Big Values’*