South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-26
COAL DIGGERS"
APPROVE WILSON
Miners ExpeI |. w. w. and
Favor Government Own
erShlp Of Mines.
Associated Press Service

Associated Press Service:
INDIANAPOLIS Jan. %. ~ After
expelling Industrial Workers Of the
World from membership in the or
SANITATION, II there were any. the
United Mine Workers Of America
riday went on record as favoring
tie taking over OF the coal mines
by the government on condition the
rnion men had the right TO make
collective bargains. They asked no
~ ecial privileges in the further
operation Of the seIective draft: op-
Tosed CONSUMPTION OF labor, and
adopted a war resolution" declar-
ing the coal diggers TO be in full
accord with Pres't Wilson's an
nOuncement 20 make the world safe
for democracy and demanding the
unrestricted right Of working men
and women 20 organize and deal
collectively with their employers"
There was no expressed oppOsi-
tioa 10 any Of the resolutions and
they we're adopted in most instances
by a unanimous vote.
1862 Stars in Service Flag.
The mine workers take great
pride in the service flag containing
1852 stars hanging over their
heads in the hall and some of the
resolutions brought out the fact OF
the great number of mine workers
now in the military service.
The J.. W. WIS were expelled by
the adoption of a constitutional
amendment making them ineligible
10 membership.
The war resolution recited that
no statement or words is needed to
prove that the great army of men"
the union represents are Ioyal to
the government; that the miners
are in full accord with the principle
OF making the world safe for de-
mocracy 'forcsfully and eloquent
Is" announced by Pres't Wilson.
Continuing the resolution said:
"A great process Of readiustment
is taking place in human affairs In
this crisis the American people are
rallying with unbounded enthusiasm
10 the support Of the government,
in the great struggle to free hu-
mainly from the blighting and SIMS
ter influences OF autOcratic despot-
ism
I'm this hour when the best blood
&C our nation is being spilled upon
the far-off battlefelds of northern
France, we, the miners of America
take courage to speak out for the
oppressed people of our land.
Defend Right to Organize.
Deprived of the right to organ
ize they stand helpless before the
power OF the industrial overlords.
IN a recent decision against the
United Mine Workers Of America
the supreme court has decreed that
under conditions that can and may
be created by any and all employ
ers of labor, the right 20 organize
and act collectively shall be denied
TO the employe.
This astounding decision so out
Of keeping with the progressive
thought OF the times and the prin-
cipIes Of democracy, strikes at a
great fundamental and inherent
right.
we insist that this right must
not be abridged by any government
tai agency. and that American Ia
Dor be guaranteed the same unre-
stricted right TO organize and deal
collectively with the employers of
labor as has been guaranteed 10
the workers by the governments Of
our allies in France and Great Bril-
tain"
The resolution instructed the del
egates 10 the next convention OF the
American Federation Of Labor 20
prepare a resolution wherein the
war aims Of American labor" Will
be definitely set forth.
The resolution on the selective
draft stated that the miners stand
ready and willing TO do their full
and equal share in supporting the
government in the war and for
themselves TASK no special privi-
laees."
Want Chance 90 DO Bit i'm Mines.
"On,y IN the event" said the res
o,utiou. "tha. il should be demon
strated that the members of our or
eanizali0n can render greater ser
vice 70 the country by remaining
in the mines than they would be
able To render 10y being drafted in
10 the military service Of the gov
eminent do IVt ask that considera-
ton be gwen TO the advisa bility of
making such changes i'm the appli-
cation Of the selective draft as may
he necessary to assure an adequate
supply Of coal
The declaration on government
ownership OF the mines stated that
the vest majority of the miners are
IN favor OF f. on condition The work
ers be guaranteed democratic opera
ton with the free and unrestricted
right 10 organize. TO maintain their
organization and 20 collectively bar
gain with the government The res
olution stated the miners were op-
posed 10 the kind of government
ownership that operates the post
Office department.
The resolution opposing the con
scription OF labor also requests the
national government 20 take over
an unused fs~m land and rent it 20
farmers
The members CT the union now in
the military service were exempted