The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16
MINERS MEETING LOUDLY APP[AUDS
 PATRIOTIC WORDS
Whole Hearted Support to Government to Win War Expressed in Officers
 Reports


 Indianapolis. January 15. - Whole- hearted support of the government in the war against the central powers and criticisms of the federal courts TOT ue- cisions adverse to the union, expressed in the reports of officers, received the approval of 150O delegates attending the biennial meeting of the United Mine Workers of America, which opened here today
 SShe reading of a letter of cordial greet sng from President Wilson in which he said he had no doubt the miners would rise to the occasion in the present crisis sas vigorously applauded.
 "There must be no halfway allegiance on the part of the coal miners in giving the best that is in them for the preser' vation of the ideals and principles ot democratic people, exclaimed President Frank J. Hayes, in addressing the men. Tremendous applause swept through the hall.
 PROUD OF FIGHTING MEN
 Let us, in this convention, firmly resolve" he continued, that every atom of energy we can contribute to the win ming of the war will be given gladly, freely, and in the same loyal spirit as those who go out to give their lives. 1t is a matter of particular pride shat approximately 10000 members of our or ganization have enlisted in the military forces of our nation. Our hearts go with these across the sea.
 No less patriotic were the declarations of William Green, secretary-treasurer' and a former state senator of Ohio.
 FULL MEASURE OF SUPPORT
 Tn clear and ringing tones," he ex- claimed let this convention proclaim to all groups of citizens within our land, to our workers across the sea and our blood and kin in the trenches Of Europe that the miners of America are heart and soul, body and mind, without reservation, behind our government in the prosecution of this war and wa pledge to it full measure of support until the battles are over and decisive victory is won"
 The convention is expected to adopt strong resolutions backing up the gov ernment in the present crisis.
 CRITICIZED DECISIONS
 Both President Hayes and Secretary Treasurer Green devoted considerable space in their reports to the legal fights against the union. In one case the Coronado Coal company won $600,00t verdict against the union in the federal court at Fort Smith, Ark, for alleged violation of the antitrust law, it being charged that the union had conSpired to prevent the production of non- union mined coal. In the other case, the miners were enjoined in West Vir- ginia from soliciting men to join the union. In the latter contest the supreme court yesterday cited officers to appear March 4, to show cause why they should not be declared in contempt of court for violating an injunction order.
 NOT GUILTY OF CONTEMPT
 President Hayes said that the union was confident it could show that it is not guilty of contempt and Secretary Green said the $600,000 verdict was to be appealed and fought to the end.
 The miners president said that while the government is setting aside the anti trust laws to permit the formation of exporting trusts and pools it seems td be declared an open season by the federal judiciary for hunting labor unions' ' Applause greeted him when he charac- terized the court decision as "revolu. tionary," and approval was indicated when he suggested congressional legisla- ton against the repetition of such de- cisions.
 Secretary Green brought much ap- plause when he declared the justices of the supreme court had not caught the spirit of the times. They cannot hear the voices of progress, of democ- racv and of human rights" he said