Norwich bulletin., 1919-10-27

charge Of the strike before the presi- dents sta tement was issued.
 The situation so far as the miners are concerned is unchanged.' Lewis said We are still ready and willing | to negotiate d new wage contract be- l fore November L.
 He made no suggestion as to how | this might be done, in view of the 1 failure of Secretary Wilson's efforts to that end.
 President Wilson's Statement. 1 The presidents statement follows: | "On September B. 1919, the con- 1 vention of the United Mine Workers of i America at Cleveland. Ohio. adopted a ] proposal declaring that all contracts in
 the bituminous field shall be declared as having automatically expired No- vember l. 1919, and making various demands, including d sixty per cent l increase in wages and the adoption of a six hour work day and five day week, and providing that, in the event a satisfactory wage agreement should not be secured for the central com petit;Ve field before November 1. 1919 the national officials should be author ized and instructed to call a general strike of all bituminous miners and mine workers throughout the United States, effective November 1. 1919.
 Pursuant to these instructions. the officers of the organization have is sued a call to make the strike effective November l.
 This is one of the gravest steps ever proposed in this country, affect ing the economic welfare and the do- rnestic comfort and health of the peo- pie. It is proposed to abrogate an agreement as to wages which was made with the sanction of the United States Fuel Administration and which was to run during the continuance of the war, but not beyond April 1. 1920.
 This strike is proposed at a time when the government is making the most earnest effort to reduce the cost of living and has appealed with sue cess to other classes of workers to postpone similar disputes until a req sonable opportunity has been afforded for dealing with the cost of living
 Tt is recognized that the strike would practically shut off the country's when interference with-tifat sftppiy is ca aleulated to create q disastrous fuel famine All interests would be af- fected alike by a strike of this char the rich only, but the poor. and the needy as well-those least able to pro- vide in advance a fuel supply for do nnestic use.
 Tt would involve the shutting down of countless industries and the throw ing out of employment Of a large number of the workers of the country. It would involve stopping the opera
 
 plants street railway lines and other public utilities, and the shipping to and from this country. thus prevent ing our giving aid to the 'allied coun tries with supplies which they so se- riously need.
 The country is confronted with this prospect at a time when the war it. self is still fact; when the world is still in suspense as to negotiations for peace. when our troops are still being transported and when their means of transport is in urgent need of fuel.
 Declares Strike Would Be Unlawful.
 Prom whatever angle the subject may be viewed it is apparent that such a strike in such circumstances would be the most far reaching plan ever presented in this country to limit the facilities of production and distribution of a necessity of life and thus indirectly to restrict the produc- saries of life. A strike under these circumstances is not only unjustifia- ble; it is unlawful.
 The action proposed has apparently been taken without any vote upon the specific proposition by the individual members of the United Mine Workers of America throughout the United States. an almost unprecedented pro ceedil.g. l cannot believe that any right of any American worker needs for it's protection the taking of this ex- traordinary step. and l am convinced that when the time and money are considered it constitutes fundamental attack, which is wrong. both morally and legally, upon the rights of society and upon the welfare of our country. I feel convinced that individual mem bers of the United Mine Workers would not vote upon full consideration in favor of such a strike under these conditions.
 When a movement reaches point where it appears to involve practically the entire productive capacity of the country with respect to one of the most vital necessities of daily domestic and industrial life, and when the move l ment is asserted in the circumstance 1 I have stated. and at a time and in a 1 mum of dangers to the public welfare l in this critical hour of our country's | life. the public interest becomes the | paramount consideration.
 Tn these circumstances I solemnly l request both the national and the local l officers and also the individual mem bers of the United Mine Workers of 1 to recall all orders looking to | a strike on Nov. 1. and to take what l ever step may be necessary to prevent l any stoppage of work.
 Law Will Be Enforced.
 Tt is time for plain speaking. These | matters with which we now deal touch i not only the welfare of a class. but i Sr comfort and the very life of all the l people. I feel it is my duty in the i public interest to declare that any at tempt to carry out the purpose of this strike and thus to paralyze the indus try of the country with. the consequent | suffering and distress of all our peopfe l most be considered a grave moral and legal wrong against the government and the people of the United States. T | can do nothing else than to say that the law will be enforced. and the means will be found to protect the in -erests of the nation in. any emergency that may arise out of this unhappy business.
 T express 10 opinion on the merits