The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-08-11
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United Mine Workers Distrust
Coal Production Board.
OpERATORSWANT FREE HAND

Would Promote Their Own Interests at
Expense of Workingmen Miners
Strongly Oppose Any Attempt to
Break Down Safeguards That Have
Taken Years to Obtain.
Coal mine operators who on the plea
of war time necessity attempt to pro-
mote their own interests at the ex-
pense of the miners and to break down
safeguards that years of effort have
built up about their employment will
be bitterly opposed by the United Mine
Workers of America, according to a
statement issued by the executive
board
Evidence that the recently appointed
committee ON coal production Of the
Council of National Defense, upon
which there is no representative Of the
coal miners, intends to assail unionism
under the guise of serving the country
Is submitted In an account of what Is
taking place In Kentucky. The state
ment says:
"As convincing evidence that the
committee on coal production has In
mind such restriction we are In receipt
of q communication from one of its
members setting forth that complaints
have been made by operators in west
ern Kentucky that their production is
being impeded because Of campaign
of organization recently entered into
by the United Mine Workers Of Amer
lea. We are told by this member Of
the committee that it would be wise to
call off efforts Of this kind at this time
1--WE wish to point out for the benefit
Of all who may be interested that no
strike has been called in western Ken
lucky and no effort made by us to i'm
pede coal production in this territory.
On the other hand, men who have
peaceably affiliated themselves with
our organization have been discharged
by the coal companies, and at this writ
ing upward Of 500 miners who are anx-
ious to work and produce coal and con-
tribute their individual efforts as mine
workers to the nations needs are suf-
fering enforced idleness because they
signified desire to belong to labor
organization.
"We are willing" say the represent
atives of the miners, ito fight for the
government OF the United States to es-
tablish world democracy, but we must
.sss..a....
insist AZ matter or sincerity tfiat We
be allowed TO retain some measure OF
that democracy of which we so proud
ly boast In the mining regions of our
nation.
1--WE are anxious to cooperate with
the government In the maintenance of
industrial peace in the coal industry
and have offered our services to the
! government, but up to date little con-
sideration has been given to our organ
iZation and the hundreds of thousands
Of men 1t represents by those who have
been intrusted with this work by the
federal government.
I'VE hereby renew our oHer to CO.
operate with the government in stimu
lating coal production and in preserv-
ing harmonious relations between en-
ployer and employee in the coalfelds Of
the nation, but we hope the justice Of
our position will be recognized when
we reiterate our demand for proper
tionate representation upon all com
missions appointed to direct affairs In
the coal industry.
I'VE are opposed to the personnel Of
the committee on coal production, and
we protest the action that created II
without giving recognition or consider
alton to the great army of men who
produce the coal
1--WE cannot subscribe to such policy
nor cooperate in the plans that such a
committee has outlined for the govern
meht of affairs In the mining industry
of the country"