The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-04
David Wilcox.

The United Mine Workers of America is
an association composed Of large number
OF miners and laborers engaged throughout
the country in mining anthracite and BIZ
luminous coal and employed by the owners
Of the mines. 1t has divided the whole
country into various districts, each of which
is represented by so-called president, and
embraces local unions, and it seeks to COM
pei every one engaged in the industry to
join the organization. The affairs of the
association are managed by an executive
committee having its headquarters at In
dianapolis and by conventions called from
time to time representing the entire organ
fzation. The object and practice of the as
ISOLATION are, so far as possible, to regulate
the supply Of labor engaged in the occu-
patton of coal mining throughout the coun-
try, and the terms Of employment thereof.
1t thus consists Of one central organiza-
ton which restraints and controls the pro-
duction of fuel everywhere throughout the
country and monopolizes the labor engaged
therein. These are its purposes and results
Its ultimate object Is to control the entire
fuel supply OF the country. AT this hearing
1t Is, represented by one person, while six
persons represent but a part of the produc-
ton of anthracite COAL 1t is, therefore
the most extensive combination and monop-
oily which the country has ever known 1t
habitually enforces its orders and directions
by whatever. means may be most effectual
including strikes. boycotts. picketing, be-
setting, aud the like, not confined to its
own members alone. but in which are
compelled to join as far as possible all other
persons similarly employed. Its violent
nation of the Circuit Court of the United
States. Roinecke county VS.. Wood 1l2 Fed.
Rep. AS; United States VS.. Weber ia Fed
Rep. $50; United States VS.. Haggerty, 1l6
Fed. Rep. 500
In accordance with these objects. last
May the United Mine Workers ordered a
strike in the anthracite coal region which
extended to all the workings therein. Since
that time ii has been, so far as possible.
forcing all persons who are willing to work
to cease doing so. Within few days one
or more miners who had returned to work
having been formerly connected with the
Mine Workers Association, have been muir
dered by those acting in sympathy with the
strike
These facts show that the mine workers
association is not within the rule regarding
ordinary local labor organizations On the
contrary, the association and all of its
members constitute combination or con-
spiracy not only at common law but also
in restraint of trade and commerce among
the several States and also an attempt to
coal found in one State to the markers of
other States and thus to monopolize this
part of the commerce among the several
States.
LEGAL CITATIONS.
1.-THE action had by said United Mine
Workers has greatly injured the interstate
business originating In the anthracite coal
fields. The courts have already many
times held that such combination is nm
lawful within the act of Congress of July
2. 1890, passed for the purpose of prevent
ing restraints OF interstate commerce and
known the Sherman act. Omitted States
VS. Council. "a Fed Rep. 1894: l57 Fed Rem
s.: Thomas VS.. Cincinnati county, So Fed
Rep. S02, sos; United States VS.. Alger 60
Fed. Rep. S2i: United States VS.. Elliot. 81
Cakes. 63 Fed. Rep. $40; in re- Debs., 81
Fed. Rep IA; and. 15S United States GOO:
United States vs.. Transmssouri Associa-
ton. l66 United States $50. 343. 1863.
I'm addition, the Circuit Court of the
United States for the Western district of
Virginia, on March %. last. held that this
identical United Mine Workers Associa-
ton was illegal Omitted States VS.. Weber.
ia Fed Rep. $500.
This case comes clearly within the Debs
case. That was an effort 10 organize a
universal association of railroad emploves
covering the whole country for the purpose
OF controlling interstate commerce The
government instituted suit by Injunction
enforced the same by the use OF the United
States army. This quickly disposed of the
matter and the action of the government
was upheld by the courts On. re. Debs
"a Fed. Rep. IA; and. l5S United States.
..The true course for the national gov
eminent Is. therefore. to proceed in ac-
cordance with the precedent in the Debs
the attention OF the President and the
attorney general last June.
THE anthracite coal companies MAX
ing every effort to mine coal as rapidly