Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-16
i. M. W. OF A. MAY
ASK GOVERNMENT
CONTROL OF MINES
Committee Expected to Re-
port Favorably on Resolu-
ton For U. S. Ownership

Indianapolis, Jan. 16.-The reso-
lutions committee of the United
Mine Workers of America, in bien-
NAL convention here, is expected to
report favorably Il resolution advo-
eating government ownership of the
coal mines OF the country provided
they are conducted along demo-
cratic lines. The miners convention
OF 1914 went on record in favor OF
Federal ownership and the present
gathering of coal diggers, according
to leaders among the delegates, VIII
reaffirm the stand taken four years
ago.
Not all coal miners. it is said, are
IN favor of government ownership,
as there are many who advocate pri-
Nate ownership where the union
workers have a hundred per cent.
organization and work under collec-
tive bargain agreements. The reso-
luton expected to be reported VIII
declare that the union miners III
the event of government ownership
coming to pass, shall have represen-
tation in the operation of the mines.
Anything less than this, miners de-
clare, would not be democracy.
Another resolution to be reported
with a favorable recomm mendation
will oppose the employment of wo-
men in hazardous occupations or In
positions where they are compelled
to do rough work. The argument
will be made that the real motive of
those who advocate the substitution
of women in industry because of the
shortage of labor is to keep down
wages.
A resolution advocating an indie
pendent labor party such as exists IN
England, will be negatived on the
ground that ii is a question for the
American Federation of Labor to
settle.
white Addresses Convention
John p. White, who resigned the
pl esidency of the miners union to
become labor adviser to DIR. IL. A.
Garfield, Federal fuel administrator.
addressed the convention with plea
for ratification of the Washington
agreement by which both bituminous
and anthracite miners received wage
advances. Mr.. White explained the
penalty clause in the soft coal agree
nent and denied reports circulated
among miners that the clause was
inserted in the contract by DR.. Gar
field. 1t was put in the agreement
by the miners and operators, he told
the men.
Reviewing the wage increases OBJ
tained by organized miners in the last
two years, Mr.. White said the coal
diggers should rejoice that they have
Jared so well in view of all the
things that are going on in the pres
ent national crisis.
Mr.. White paid tribute to DR.. Gar
held, declaring that he had found him
10 be a man imbued with deep SYM
pathy for the cause of the miners.
Garfield Sends Message
Or. Garfield. regretting his inabll-
ity to attend the convention, wired:
Il appreciate sincerely the loyal
response made by mine workers to
appeals for cooperation with the
Government in the present emer-
Gsncy. The steady decrease i'm loss of
tonnage since August by reason of
labor shortage is eloquent testimony
OF this cooperation.
Il have ventured TO state on many
occasions that both mine workers and
operatives have displayed a laudable
purpose as American citizens, to put
aside differences in the present emer-
Scncy and to unite during the period
of the war in a common purpose to
increase the production of coal. The
successful prosecution of the war de-
pends as much on the men in the
mines as on the men in the trenches"